How to Become a Nurse in Australia, Career Near Me
How to Become a Nurse in Australia, Career Near Me
Australia’s healthcare industry is constantly growing and in need of more registered nurses as time goes on. If you want to be a nurse and work in Australia, all you need to do is have the proper education and clinic time before you can start in the field. If you’re from overseas, you can easily apply to get a visa so you can work there as long as you meet their requirements for the field. With hard work and a lot of perseverance, you can have a nursing job Down Under!
Part 1 Getting the Necessary Education.
1. Get your high school diploma. In order to apply to be a nurse in Australia, you need to be at least 17 years old and have a high school diploma. Make sure to maintain good grades in all your coursework and stay focused on your studies. Pay close attention to science classes like biology and chemistry since they’ll have information and skills you can use in your career.
If you’re already out of high school, you can take General Education Development (GED) courses followed by an exam to get a high school equivalency diploma.
2. Attend college to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Look for schools that offer a 3- or 4-year nursing degree to further your studies and get experience in the field. Pay close attention to your classes and study hard to keep your grades up. Make sure to take hands-on lab courses so you can get practice doing basic nurse duties.
Most nursing schools will expose you to many different nursing fields so you can find an area of medicine that you like the most.
Take courses in medication administration and pharmacology, since these are required to become a nurse in Australia. Most, if not all, nursing schools will require these courses to complete your degree.
Tip: Talk to your professors about internships that you can complete and job opportunities so you can get even more experience while you’re in school.
3. Complete at least 800 hours of nursing time in a clinic. Nursing school curriculums will set up clinic time while you’re still in school so you can get experience in the field. Make sure to stay attentive during your clinic hours and keep a work ethic. Log at least 800 hours of clinic time before you apply for a nursing position.
Clinical hours may vary based on the country where you attend nursing school. Consult with your National Medical Board to see your country’s requirements.
Part 2 Registering as a Nurse.
1. Apply for criminal background check first. If you’ve declared a criminal history or you’ve lived in another country for 6 months or longer, you’re required to get a criminal background check. Apply for the background check within 3 months before registering with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) so it’s valid. Save the reference page and code you get sent back from the background check since you’ll need them for your registration application.
You can apply for a criminal background check here: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Criminal-history-checks/International-Criminal-History.aspx.
The results of your background check are only valid for 3 months after you get it issued. Be sure to register with the AHPRA within that time frame.
2. Take an English language test if you aren’t a native speaker. Nurses in Australia need to speak fluently in English in order to get a job. If you did not complete a college degree in English, you must an English language test consisting of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam and get at least a grade of 7 in each test category.
You must complete the test at least 2 years prior to filling out your AHPRA application.
3. Fill out the AHPRA application online. The AHPRA application requires your nursing school degree and coursework to see if you have the experience needed to get licensed in Australia. Fill out the rest of the application prompts online and submit the application so it can be reviewed by the Australian Medical Board.
You can find the application online here: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process.aspx.
4. Take a qualifications assessment if you’re asked to. If you’re applying from some countries, you may need to take a qualifications exam in order to get approved by the Australian Medical Board. If you don’t pass the assessment, you will have to take approved coursework in order to become a registered nurse in Australia.
Tip: If you’ve completed nursing school and registered to become a nurse in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, or Singapore, you do not need to take the assessment.
5. Wait for up to 2 months to see if your application was accepted. After you fill out and submit your application, it needs to be reviewed by the Medical Board to see if you meet Australian nursing standards. If you’re in Australia, your registration may process within 10 days, but it could take up to 2 months if you apply internationally. If your background check and experience are approved, then you’re registered to work in Australia.
There may be delays between October and January each year since many applications are submitted then.
Your application may also be delayed if the results of your background check haven’t been provided yet.
Part 3 Getting a Visa for Working Overseas.
1. Apply for a visa so you can travel and work in Australia. The easiest way to get a job as a nurse in Australia is being in the country. Fill out the application completely for a working holiday visa so you can travel to Australia and get a job while you’re there. Submit the application online and pay any fees for the application. You may also go to the nearest Australian Embassy to submit your visa application.
Working holiday visas last for 12 months so you can apply for jobs and get work experience with an employer. You may be able to extend your working holiday visa to stay in the country for another 12 months.
You will also need a passport in order to travel internationally.
2. Write a resume for your nursing experience. Make sure to include your education and work experience on your resume so employers in Australia know your skills. Organize your resume so it fits on 1-2 pages and send it to any potential employers you find on online job boards. Keep updating your resume with relevant work history as you keep gaining experience.
Tip: Tailor your resume specifically towards your potential employers. Use the job listings online as a guide for what to include in your resume.
3. Interview for a nursing job. Once you hear back from a potential employer, schedule an interview for the job. Dress professionally and make sure you have a copy of your resume with you. Answer any questions fully and honestly, and maintain a positive attitude throughout the interview. Thank the employer for taking their time to see you and ask them to follow up if they have any more questions.
Look up potential interview questions before you go in so you have time to prepare answers.
4. Ask your employer for a sponsorship so you can work in Australia longer. Certain employers may offer a sponsorship if you have experience and a good work ethic. Talk to your employer about getting a sponsorship so you can stay in Australia for a longer period of time. As long as you’re a reliable employee, you there’s a good chance they’ll choose to sponsor you so you can stay in the country.
After 2 years, you can apply to become a permanent resident or Australian citizen.
Tips
Try different fields of nursing practice so you can be versatile and look for jobs in various fields.
