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Australia
The
Commonwealth of Australia is under a constitutional democracy based on a
federal division of powers. The form of the government applied is a
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government.
Capital:
Canberra
Population: 21,714,000
Australia Healthcare System: Australia has a public health care
system and private health sector. The public health care system is
called Medicare. For more information on Australia’s health care system
contact the Commonwealth Department of Health
and Ageing.
Overview of
Nursing in Australia
Nurses’
salaries in Australia are determined by ‘Awards’ or ‘Agreements’. These
‘Awards’ and ‘Agreements’ can vary depending on the state or territory a
nurse works in or the area of nursing in which they practice. Before an
employer can be approved to recruit staff from overseas the employer
must sign an undertaking that agrees to pay a specified minimum salary.
Australia has different Nurse Registration Boards for the different
regions and states which are responsible for regulating their particular
area.
Registration
Requirements
The
nursing applicant needs to be in good shape and have attained a certain
level of relevant education and experience. It is also required for the
applicant to pass a health examination, which includes chest x-ray.
In order
to practice as a Nurse in Australia, you need to register with the
corresponding Nurse Regulatory Authority in the state in which you
intend to work. Australia has different Nurse Registration Boards
responsible for regulating nurses in different regions or states.
For
applicants who are non-residents, or coming from other countries, you
need to be assessed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC)
before you can register with the relevant authority.
Australian
Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC)
The ANMC
facilitates a national approach for the regulation of nursing and
midwifery in Australia. Each of the eight states and territories’ nurse
regulatory authorities is represented in this council. It works together
with the Nursing and Midwifery Regulatory Authorities (NMRA).
The ANMC
is also an authorized authority that assesses for the Department of
Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and conducts skills assessments of
internationally qualified nurses and midwives seeking permanent
migration in Australia.
Its
primary aim is to assess as to whether your educational attainment and
experience meets the standards established by the council or if you
would still require further education and other provisions.
ANMC Website:
www.anmc.org.au
Further information including copies of all ANMC
and APNMF submissions is available on the Health Workforce website
http://www.nhwt.gov.au/natreg.asp
The
Assessment
You will
be assessed against the following criteria.
*
English Language Proficiency
*
Nursing Education
*
Demonstration of the ANC National Competency Standards for Registered
Nurses
*
Registration in your country of training
Language
Testing Requirements
From the
1st July 2009, all internationally-qualified nurses and midwives who are
applying for assessment from the ANMC under the general-skilled
migration scheme will be required to complete an English proficiency
test. Only the New Zealand registered nurses and midwives are exempt
from providing English proficiency under the 1997 Trans Tasman Mutual
Recognition Act.
Do I Need
Assessment?
You do
not need assessment with the ANC if you are:
-
an overseas nurse who holds a permanent resident Australian visa
-
or if
you are a nurse applying for Working Holiday Visas.
If you
fall into one of these above categories, then you should apply directly
to the relevant state or territory nurse regulatory authority:
Australian
Nursing Boards
If you
do not fall into one of the above categories, then you will need
to apply for assessment with the ANMC. www.anmc.org.au
Visa
Application
There
are provisions given in applying for either a temporary or a permanent
visa for overseas nurses to work in Australia’s healthcare industry.
Given the elevated demand for nurses in Australia, it is more likely
that visa applications placed by nurses will receive priority
processing.
For more information regarding visa application,
please see www.immi.gov.au
Useful Links
Australian Government, Department of Immigration
and Citizenship :
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/medical-practitioners/nurses.htm
ANMC Website:
www.anmc.org.au
Australia Nursing
Boards:
Australian
Nursing Boards
Healthworkforce Website:
http://www.nhwt.gov.au/natreg.asp
Visa Application:
www.immi.gov.au |
