Migrating to Australia as a UK Nurse
If you’re working in the UK as a registered nurse and looking for a change in lifestyle then migrating to Australia could open up a whole new world of opportunities.
There is a currently a huge demand for nurses in Australia, which is reflected in the pay, benefits and working conditions on offer to those with suitable qualifications and experience.
From a personal development perspective, Australia can offer great opportunities to expand your skills as a nurse as the roles are so varied due to the vast scale of the country, the climate and population spread. You could be working as a nurse in a huge city hospital or at the other extreme, in a remote, rural location.
The culture shock will never be too drastic as the healthcare structure and practices are on a par with those in the UK.
Shift patterns are similar with the average nurse working 8 hour shifts and the average working week is 37.5 hours. Holidays are usually between 4-5 weeks a year. Australia tends to have a much lower patient to nurse ratio than in the UK, typically between 4:1 and 6:1.
Finding work as a nurse in Australia
In Australia, you will need to be on the nursing board register to enable you to work in the country. If your nursing degree was undertaken in the UK or Republic of Ireland, then you may be eligible for direct entry onto the register. If your qualifications are below the expected level than those required for the Skilled Migrant Visa, you may be able to undertake some further training in Australia, on a board-approved programme.
When it comes to your communication skills, it is not compulsory to do an English language test for those that have been taught and educated in English for at least 5 years, however it may have to be done for points as part of permanent migration scheme.
If your qualifications are accepted, the register will allow you to work in any Territory or State in Australia. However, it is worth bearing in mind that salaries, hours and working conditions can vary from hospital to hospital across the country.
To find out more about working as a nurse in Australia or to find nursing jobs in Melbourne contact one of the Australian Nursing Agency team today at recruitment@australiannursingagency.com.
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