Thinking of making the move ‘across the ditch’ and working as a registered nurse or midwife in Australia?
There are some very obvious drawcards – like the excellent healthcare system, no language barrier, competitive salaries and lifestyle (think more sunshine!) – but you need to understand the requirements and processes before you book that flight.
Read this for an overview of what New Zealand nurses have to do to work in Australia, including skills assessment, registration and immigration.
Can New Zealand nurses work in Australia?
The short answer is yes.
Because of the unique relationship our countries have there is a streamlined pathway thanks to the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTMRA). This allows New Zealand nurses to transfer their qualifications more easily, thanks to a nursing education system that is very similar and on par with local standards.
Skills Assessment and Registration
The first step is to have your skills assessed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). They will review your qualifications and experience to confirm they meet Australian standards. This is an online process via the AHPRA portal, which takes about 30 days to process.
You are then eligible to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).They are the government body that regulates our nurses and midwives, including any internationally qualified nurse or midwife (IQNM) – to make sure you are suitably trained, qualified and safe to practice here.
Do New Zealand nurses need a visa?
New Zealand citizens can live and work in Australia indefinitely and are typically given a Special Category Subclass 444 visa (SCV) on arrival. There is no need to apply for this in advance, and you also get access to Medicare – our publicly-funded healthcare system.
Nurse salaries: Aus vs NZ
Nurse salaries in Australia tend to be higher than in New Zealand – and vary according to how much experience you have, your area of specialisation and where you are located. Jobs in our larger cities and metro areas will tend to pay more than regional locations – but this is not always the case. Nursing agency pay rates are also very competitive and generally above award.
What is the next step?
If you tick all the boxes - in terms of qualification and experience - ideally 2+ years post graduate experience for RN's, get in touch. We already help nurses from the U.K. or Ireland make the move, placing them in healthcare facilities across Australia – with recruitment agents based there to help them make the move.
If you want to bring your skills to Australia get in touch for help making the transition as smooth as possible.
