Nurse Applicants Info
How To Become A Registered International Nurse In Australia.
Mar
At AusPath we understand that the biggest hurdles for Internationally qualified Nurses to work abroad is the daunting registration & migration processes. And feeling comfortable with making the big move. That is where AusPath comes in.
AusPath works with specialist Nurse Registered Training Organisations, Recruitment Agencies and Health Services to successfully pass the NCLEX-RN MCQ and OSCE exams, gain full-time employment, get Visa’s approved with employment sponsorships, find suitable & affordable accommodation & become registered Nurses with AHPRA in Australia.
The Process:
All Internationally Qualified Nurses & Midwifes (IQNM’s) that want to work in Australia must do a self-check on the Australian Nurses and Midwifery National Board (Ahpra) website. This is called the Outcome Based Assessment (OBA).
When an internationally qualified nurse or midwife (IQNM) completes the Self-check, they will be advised if they are in Stream A, B, or C, or if Ahpra needs to assess their qualification(s) before assigning a stream.
For the IQNM’s to qualify for AusPath sponsorship they need to do the Ahpra Self-check now so we can see what the outcome is. There is no fee to do the Self-check, so they need to do this immediately and notify AusPath of the outcome.
International nurses need to go to the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Board Of Australia website and first do the required Self-check.
This is the Website to gather further information:
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation/IQNM.aspx
Do the Self Check Here.
The three streams (outcomes) are:
Stream A – IQNMs who hold a qualification considered to be substantially equivalent, or based on similar competencies, to an approved qualification.
Stream B – IQNMs who hold a qualification that is relevant to the profession, but is not substantially equivalent, nor based on similar competencies to an approved qualification.
Stream C – IQNMs who hold a qualification that is not substantially equivalent or relevant to an approved qualification. This means you will have to come to Australia and do upgraded courses prior.
Nurses from countries such as the UK, Canada, Ireland, USA, Hong Kong, New Zealand are generally going to be Stream A Applicants.
Most qualified Nurses from other countries such as the Philippines should be Stream B. If you are advised that your Stream B “qualification is relevant but not substantially equivalent”, then that is good as they can move on to the next steps.
After completing the Self-check, all IQNMs who are advised to proceed in the IQNM assessment process will need to pay a non-refundable assessment fee of $640 AUD to Ahpra to proceed to the OBA assessments.
The OBA is a two-stage assessment process: an online multiple-choice question exam (MCQ) and an objective structured clinical exam. IQNMs must pass the first stage before moving to the next stage.
Stage one is a cognitive assessment, which is a computer based MCQ exam. IQNMs must pass the exam to move to part two of the OBA.
Stage two is a behavioural assessment in the form of an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). The OSCE has been developed to assess that an IQNM demonstrates the knowledge, skills and competence of a graduate level Australian nurse or midwife. This is done in Adelaide, Australia.
You must complete the Ahpra/NMBA IQNM Self-Check Assessment, followed by the Orientation Part 1, followed by providing a portfolio of documents and proof of qualifications and register with us on the AusPath Members Portal. This is where our registered Health Care Service providers can see your CV and provide job offers.
This is followed by an Outcomes Based Assessment (OBA), which is both a Multiple-Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) exam (also known as NCLEX) and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
If that is the case, then the Nurses do the:
- Police check.
- English literacy test.
- Pay the Ahpra assessment fees and do the 2 tests.
- After you pass these two, you may undergo a skills assessment with ANMAC unless applying for a TSS 482 Visa.
If they pass all the checks & tests Nurses will be eligible for employment and apply for a Visa. Once the Visa is approved, they can begin working as Nurses.
Work Visa 482
-
- Employer/Sponsor required for approval.
- 4 year visa with unrestricted work rights. (Can apply once more or for PR)
- Work rights includes family.
- Must be a Registered Nurse in Australia.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-skill-shortage-482
Or
Registered Nurses could apply for Independent Skilled Permanent Visas 189/190
-
- Eligibility based on a points system awarded on following criteria.
- Age, IELTS 7.0-8.0, Degree, Experience, State sponsorship.
Here are the steps and the list of fees & associated expenses to become an International Stream B Registered Nurse in Australia. If anyone tries to tell you it costs less than this, then ask them what about all these costs itemised below. There are some training providers that only tell you about the costs of their training and maybe the Visa. They don’t even ensure employment offers and Sponsorships like AusPath do.
The Full Steps:
- Ahpra Self-Check.
- IQNM Assessment.
- Orientation Part 1.
- Provide a portfolio of documents and proof of qualifications.
- AusPath Employment Offers Start Here.
- NCLEX Training. (Davao, Manila, Cebu) (Stream B Only)
- NCLEC-RN MCQ Exam. (Manila) (Stream B Only)
- Police Check.
- Literary Test. (Stream B Only)
- OSCE Training Online. (Stream B Only)
- OSCE Test. (Adelaide) (Stream B Only)
- ANMAC Skills Assessment.
- VISA Lodged/Approved.
- Migrate / Start Employment.
- The table below shows the breakdown of associated costs for Stream B Applicants. If you are a Stream A Applicant then Ahpra will notify you if you are able to proceed straight to the ANMAC Skills Assessment. That would mean you do not need to do NCLEX-RN MCQ & OSCE training, tests or exams so your costs are significantly reduced.
| Self – Check (Free initial assessment & then payment is required upfront by the Nurses to to do the IQNM Assessment and proceed to OBA) | $640 |
| AusPath Onboarding, Employment Offer, Sponsorship & Support | $0 |
| NCLEX Training (Davao, Manila, Cebu) (Stream B) | $500 |
| NCLEX-RN MCQ Test Fee (Manila) (Stream B) | $526 |
| Police check | $50 |
| Literacy test (Stream B) | $300 |
| OSCE Training (Online and Live Stations Practice) (Stream B) | $3,500 |
| Flights & Accommodation (To Adelaide for OSCE and back. Est) | $1,500 |
| OSCE Exam Fee (Adelaide) (Stream B) | $4,000 |
| ANMAC Full Skills Assessment | $515 |
| AHPRA Registration | $489 |
| Visa Temporary Skills Shortage 482 | $2,770 |
| Flights (To Australia) | $1,500 |
| Total Funding Required AUD | $16,290 |
| Total if visa & flights paid by Employer | $12,020 |
AusPath Nurses Member Portal:
Nurses register FREE on our Portal & upload their full credentials & agree to an online interview & then a suitable employment contract that is offered with an Australian Health Service provider.
If Nurses get employment offers and sponsorships with approved Australian Health Services prior to June 30th 2023, they can get relocation support when working in Australia. Up to $10,000 for Metropolitan and $13,000 for Regional areas + a $2,000 bonus. So up to $15,000 Aud relocation support is currently on offer. Act fast!
Superannuation Guarantee:
And as an added benefit, international Nurses working in Australia are entitled to receive Superannuation. The minimum superannuation employers must pay for each eligible employee is 10.5% of their ordinary time earnings (OTE). This is called the super guarantee (SG) and is paid at least quarterly into the nominated superfund. Normally Australian workers are not entitled to receive this superannuation until retirement, and not as a lump sum.
However, when an international worker returns home, there is the possibility to receive this payment as a lump sum. That means that on an income of $100,000 p/a Aud over 4 years, if they return home and do not extend their work visa, they may be entitled to receive their Superannuation as a lump sum, which would be around $42,000 Aud +/- whatever growth the fund received based on this estimate. Or if the Nurses decide to gain Permanent Residency, then they will continue receiving Superannuation from their employment paid into their nominated Superfund to access upon retirement.
(Not financial advice. Check with an Australian financial advisor)
Register with AusPath today. Register With AusPath Here!
- Select Nurse Registration. Just enter your basic information for now.
- Our management team will reach out to you.
- Your Members Portal will then be created for you to log in and update your status and documentation.
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Links to further information:
Self-Check step by step guide: https://youtu.be/HiK9jIuGH6I
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation/IQNM/Before-you-apply.aspx
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list#
If Stream C: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation/Approved-programs-of-study.aspx
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-standards.aspx
https://www.ahpra.gov.au/registration/registration-process/standard-format-for-curriculum-vitae.aspx
NCLEX Practice Exam: NCLEX Practice Exam | NCLEX
