Why Australia needs Nurses
Australia has long been a nation that has welcomed nurses and healthcare workers with open arms.
The Australian Government recently revealed that members of the healthcare profession were in particular demand, meaning a wide range of opportunities are currently available for qualified nurses, midwives, physiotherapists and dieticians amongst others. As the population of Australia continues to grow and develop, it is predicted that the shortage of skills that they currently face will continue to increase.
If you currently work in healthcare and are considering a move to Australia then this is great news for you, as Australian recruiters are also looking overseas to fill the essential posts in hospitals and care homes across the country.
As a qualified nurse from the UK, you will find that your knowledge and skills are easily transferable to Australia, so it should be easy to find work in either an existing hospital or one of the many new hospitals that the government plan to build over the next few years.
Whilst your experience could help ease the skills shortage in Australia, a move down under could be extremely beneficial for you, offering you not only a rewarding career but a complete change of lifestyle in the sun!
Why Nurses Are in Demand in Australia?
Similarly to the UK, Australia’s population is steadily increasing, in fact in the last 50 years it has more than doubled. This can be credited to an increase in immigration as well as a growing population of elderly residents which in turn put Australian healthcare services under increased pressure, particularly in areas like community care and maternity services. The government has responded to this by building new hospitals, creating more jobs and increasing services which will hopefully meet the needs of the growing population.
These new hospitals will of course require skilled staff so there has been a huge recruitment drive across Australia to employ or train qualified nurses and healthcare staff. Whilst it initially focused on recruiting staff from home soil, the government are now looking elsewhere to fill these positions, bringing opportunities to skilled and experienced nurses from around the world.
Why Move to Australia?
Australia sees a huge influx of British expats year after year and of course the main draw is the sunshine! Many British citizens are happy to leave the dark, gloomy weather behind and embrace a brand new life in year-round sunshine, idyllic white beaches and a restful, relaxed lifestyle.
The sunshine encourages a healthy and active lifestyle with numerous outdoor activities to enjoy – whether you like to run, swim or simply spend time socialising out in the fresh air with your friends, Australia truly offers something for everyone. The quality of life that you will experience in Australia is second to none.
As well as the wonderful weather, Australia offers a stable economy, high standards of education and healthcare and of course, the complete lack of a language barrier is such an advantage when it comes to settling in and meeting new people. There are over a million Brits currently living in Australia, so as well as the friendly residents; there are plenty of expats to welcome you to the country as well.
As a qualified nurse, you can expect excellent career prospects as well as an attractive salary which typically, is higher than the UK average. Hospitals and health centres in Australia are of very high standards and are some of the most advanced in the world. Australian hospitals face similar pressures to those of the NHS; however it is thought that working conditions for healthcare staff are better in Australia, with most nurses working on average 35 hours per week.
Who Are They Looking For?
There is a shortage of skills across the nursing profession but in particular demand are mental health nurses and midwives, particularly in some of the more recently established hospitals.
The government plans to increase community and out-patient care to reduce the pressure on hospitals and emergency services so nurses with this experience will find several vacancies.
There are usually openings for occupational therapists and dieticians in order to encourage a healthy and active community and with the increasing elderly population; there is a high demand for palliative care both in hospitals and hospices as well as home care.
Where Are They Needed?
Whilst many expats inevitably will end up working in some of the bigger hospitals in the major cities, there are particular shortages in the more rural areas. Due to their remote locations, these positions are often harder to fill, with the specific skills required so many of these outlying hospitals will offer higher salaries to attract experienced and skilled nurses.
If you are willing to work absolutely anywhere in Australia then there could be some great opportunities to develop your career.
If moving to the outback is just a step too far, you will find plenty of opportunities in the larger cities such as Australia, Melbourne and Perth.
How to Get There
Although the demand is there for overseas nurses, you should not expect the process of gaining work to be as easy as a job offer, there is still a process that you will need to go through. It is essential that all applicants are assessed by the relevant authorities and understandably, this can sometimes be a lengthy and frustrating process, however it is in place to ensure the safety of all patients.
As a qualified nurse from the UK, you will need to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (this is similar to the NMC in the UK). They will assess your qualifications to ensure that you meet the standards required to practice in Australia.
Once you are successful, then only then can you begin to apply for specific jobs.
Many expats tend to sign up with nursing and healthcare agencies. As well as being able to offer a certain amount of flexibility, they can also help to guide you through the visa process – look for an agency that specialises in overseas recruitment.
Nurses are classed as skilled workers, meaning that they are one of the occupations that can apply for permanent residency visas. Your employer (or agency) should be able to assist you with the visa or alternatively you can employ the services of a migration agent who can help you through the entire process.
As soon as you have been granted a visa, there is nothing else to stop you. It’s time to book your flights, pack your bags and head to Australia for your new job and the start of your new life in the sun!
To find out more about nursing jobs in Australia contact us today at recruitment@austrlaiannursingagency.com.[/fusion_text][/one_full][/fullwidth]
