Work Visas

There are two main types of visa that permit overseas trained nurses and midwives to gain employment in Australia:

1. Working Holiday Maker Visa

   The Working Holiday Making visa is available for people between the ages 18 and 30 and allows a stay of up to 12 months from the date of first entry to Australia

   You are allowed to do any kind of work of a temporary or casual nature, but work for more than six months with any one employer is not permitted.

   Australia has reciprocal Working Holiday maker arrangements in effect with the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, USA, Japan, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Korea, Malta, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China, Finland, the Republic of Cyprus, France, and Italy, Belgium and Taiwan.

   Working holiday visas can be obtained by making an application online to the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs at www.immi.gov.au or by lodging a written application at an overseas visa office.

2. Temporary Employer-Sponsored Worker Visa

   If you wish to work for one employer in Australia for more than 3 months you will need to be sponsored by your employer. This visa is vaild for 1-4 years and you will be required to work for your sponsoring employer for a minimum of 6 months.

   A sponsorship visa will allow you to bring a spouse and dependent children to Australia and will allow your spouse to work in any field of employment.

   Your HealthStaff Recruitment Consultant will guide you through all stages of the visa application process.

   You can also apply for permanent residency in Australia, although it is recommended you commence this process after you have arrived. For more information about permanent residency visit the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs website at www.immi.gov.au or speak to your HealthStaff Recruitment Consultant.

Depending on where and when you completed your original nursing training, you will be required to submit documentation as proof of your qualifications as part of your application to the Board. As registration for overseas trained nurses can take up to 8 weeks from the time the Board receives your application, it is important to commence this process as soon as possible.

Nurses or Midwives, including overseas trained Nurses and Midwives, who hold registration in another State or Territory of Australia, may apply for registration in NSW under the Mutual Recognition Act.

Nurses and Midwives registered in New Zealand may apply under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act.

Further information about documentation required and fees for NSW registration are available at www.nmb.nsw.gov.au. You can download application forms for registration from this site.