FAQs

The registration process really is very easy! If you’re responding to a job advertisement on Seek or Indeed, simply click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and the system will walk you through the process. Our current job openings are also listed on the I Need Work page.

Alternatively, apply through our website by completing the application form 'Apply Today' and we will contact you.

Following your invitation for an interview with us, we’ll ask you to fill in some simple and straight forward forms such as an Registration Form, Bank, Superannuation & Tax details and a few other bits and pieces. You’ll then be interviewed by one of our experienced and very friendly recruitment consultants. The whole process takes between 30 – 60 minutes.

Please bring to your interview:

• Current APHRA registration (or certificate to demonstrate proof of current registration). This is only applicable to RNs & ENs. Please bring a copy for us to keep.
• Any certificates of qualifications (such as Cert III, Cert IV or any Postgraduate qualifications). Please bring a copy for us to keep.
• A presentable CV (resume). Please bring a copy for us to keep.
• Details of two referees (contact phone numbers or emails).
• Adequate identification to meet the 100 point identification check eg. Birth Certificate or Passport, Driver’s License, Medicare card, Bankcard. Read more.
• Tax File Number.
• Criminal Record / Police Check – current number or receipt number. Please bring a copy for us to keep. Read more.
• Working With Children check, or have applied for the check. Please bring a copy for us to keep. Read more.
• 1 Passport Photo (for your photo identification)
• Your current vaccination record – vaccination card or serology result. Please bring a copy for us to keep.
• Superannuation Details
• Bank Account Details
• Non residents: Proof that APHRA have granted you registration to practise in Australia as a Registered Nurse.
• Non residents: Your original identifying documents and copies of passports and Visa documents.

We’re proud of our high calibre candidates and would not receive such exceptional feedback and repeat requests from our clients if it weren’t for our high expectations.

These expectations are explained to you during your interview process and we also have developed comprehensive documents based on Healthcare HQ’s Code of Conduct and Terms of Employment. You’ll be taken through these documents at your interview.

Having said that, we believe it works both ways! We in turn look after our candidates by regularly keeping in touch, offering professional support, providing industry updates, presenting monthly rewards, offering flexibility and of course paying them well which always helps!

It's easy! Staff will be using a mobile app to view their upcoming shifts and record their timesheets by clocking in & out on the mobile app.

The weekly payrun which is on Fridays. Depending on your banking institution, we expect that all staff will receive their pay in their nominated bank accounts by close of business Fridays.

You’ll be provided with a very smart logo-embroidered polo shirt on your first placement with Healthcare HQ. We ask you to take responsibility in looking after your uniform, wearing it with pride and adhering to our Code of Conduct, which you will receive at your interview.

You must supply your own suitable black or navy trousers and suitable duty shoes with enclosed toes. Please leave the Birkenstocks, joggers and sandals at home.

We that ask a professional appearance be maintained at all times.

It is a legislative requirement for all employers to contribute superannuation to all of its employees to the amount of 9.50% of your ordinary time earnings.

If you have an existing superannuation fund, simply provide these details to Healthcare HQ at interview and we will happily contribute to that existing fund. Don’t worry if you do not have a super fund in place. Healthcare HQ can take care of that by nominating First State Super to receive your compulsory superannuation contributions – you will automatically become a member and do not need to fill in a form.  First State Super is a not-for-profit superannuation fund run solely for the benefit of members. They are one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds and use their size and stability to keep their costs down and deliver an excellent range of super insurance, retirement income products and financial planning services.

Healthcare HQ contributes to superannuation funds quarterly. Your superannuation fund will send you a notification when funds have been deposited by us, and for those automatically joining First State Super, all information will be sent to you also at the time of Healthcare HQ’s initial contribution.

You will be provided with an Tax Declaration Form when registering with Healthcare HQ. This is where you will register your Tax File Number. If you do not have a Tax File Number, you can simply visit any post office or the Australian Taxation Office for relevant documentation.

Legally, you cannot work as a nurse in Australia without holding a current registration which meets mandatory registration standards as set out by AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). AHPRA is responsible for the implementation of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme across Australia.

AHPRA support the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia where registrations are lodged and managed. The registration process is relatively streamlined and easy – provided you meet the registration standards.

For further information, visit the NMBA website at http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/

Nurses are in high demand in Australia and there are many opportunities for both temporary (agency) and permanent work available.

Nurses between the ages of 18-30 who are from the following countries are eligible to apply for the Working Holiday Makers Visa (Subclass 417). Nurses need to apply for their visa through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship at www.immi.gov.au:

• Belgium
• Canada
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• Estonia
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Italy
• Ireland
• Japan
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Republic of Korea
• Republic of Taiwan
• Sweden
• United Kingdom

If you are from a country that does not appear here, you will need to contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to determine your eligibility for a visa to Australia.

Legally however, you cannot work as a nurse in Australia without holding a current registration which meets mandatory registration standards as set out by AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). AHPRA is responsible for the implementation of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme across Australia.

AHPRA supports the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia where registrations are lodged and managed. The registration process is relatively streamlined and easy – provided you meet the registration standards. For further information visit the NMBA website at http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/

It is recommended by AHPRA that applications to work in Australia are lodged 6-8 weeks prior to arriving in Australia or to the date you intend to start working. This is to allow time for processing.

AHPRA will assess your current international qualifications against their new model of assessment and will then decide on whether you would qualify as a Registered Nurse in Australia.

You are required to complete a 100 point identification check. This is to provide AHPRA with sufficient evidence of your identity. At least one document from each of categories (A, B and C, and D if necessary) as outlined below is required.

Documents applicable in category A and B may be used in other categories.

Note: The requirements for persons who are applying from overseas, or have recently arrived in Australia are detailed further below.

The documents provided must meet the following criteria:

• All documents must be true certified or notarised copies of the original.
• At least ONE document must include a recent photograph (See Category B).
• At least ONE document must be in the applicant’s current name.
• All documents must be officially translated in English.
• All documents must be current /valid at the date of submission.

What evidence do you need to provide of a change of name?

You must attach to your application a certified copy of evidence of a change of name if:

• you have ever been formally known by another name(s); or
• any of the documentation you are providing in support of your application is in another name(s).

Evidence could include a marriage certificate, decree nisi, deed poll, or Statutory Declaration (which must explain the reason for the discrepancy).

What special circumstances apply to overseas applicants or applicants who have recently arrived in Australia?

At application, individuals who are applying from overseas and who are unable to provide evidence from each of the categories, must meet the minimum identity requirements of:

• a certified copy of an overseas passport (an EU card is not acceptable)
• if the applicant has ever been formally known by another name, or provides documentary evidence in support of their application in another name — a certified copy of proof of name change (marriage certificate, divorce papers, deed poll).

Applications from overseas applicants will be assessed only on receipt of the relevant evidence of identity, and an otherwise complete application (all supporting documentation provided and declarations made).

Following assessment the applicant will be advised if they are eligible for registration. Those eligible applicants who only provided the minimum identity requirements, and/or medical practitioners applying for limited registration (see below) will only be granted registration upon personal presentation at an AHPRA Office with the following evidence:

• If arrived in Australia within the previous 6 weeks:

• • original foreign passport or travel document with current Australian visa and proof of date of arrival (e.g. entry stamp); plus
  • evidence of their current residential address, an original signed statement from a prospective employer/sponsor verifying the identity of the applicant OR an original offer of employment.
• If arrived in Australia more than 6 weeks prior to attendance — evidence that meets the requirements in Categories A, B, C and D.

International medical graduates applying for limited or provisional registration

The Medical Board of Australia requires that international medical graduates applying for limited registration or provisional registration present in person to an AHPRA office or authorised delegate with their proof of identity if they have not been previously registered under the National Scheme. Please contact the AHPRA office for the name of persons who are authorised delegates.

For further information on AHPRA’s Proof of Identity requirements, see http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Proof-of-Identity.aspx

Certifying Documents

Copies of documents provided in support of an application, or other purpose required by the National Law, must be certified as true copies of the original documents. Certified copies will only be accepted in hard copy by mail or in person (not by fax, email, etc.) Photocopies of previously certified documents will not be accepted.

For further information on Certifying Document – http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Certifying-Documents.aspx

English Language Skills Standard

AHPRA stipulate that Internationally qualified applicants who did not complete their secondary education in English must demonstrate that they have the necessary English language skills for registration purposes. Therefore, applicants must meet the Registration Standards of their health profession which includes the English Language Skills Registration Standard.

An applicant for registration as a registered nurse and/or a registered midwife who has provided evidence of completion of five (5) years*(full-time equivalent) of education taught and assessed in English, in any of the recognised countries listed in this registration standard, is considered to have demonstrated English language proficiency and has met the requirements of this standard;

An applicant who has not completed five (5) years*(full-time equivalent) of education taught and assessed in English, in any of the recognised countries listed in this registration standard, will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with Board-approved English language tests (as outlined below).

*The completion of five (5) years (full-time equivalent) education taught and assessed in English means five (5) years full-time equivalent of either:

i). tertiary and secondary; or

ii). tertiary and vocational; or

iii). combined tertiary, secondary and vocational education taught and assessed in English in any of the recognised countries listed in this registration standard. These five (5) years must include evidence of a minimum of two (2) years full-time equivalent pre-registration program of study approved by the recognised nursing and/or midwifery regulatory body in any of the countries listed in this registration standard.

If you do not meet either of the two criteria above, you must arrange for evidence of successful completion of an IELTS or OET English language proficiency test to be provided directly from the relevant testing authority to the same State or Territory office of AHPRA to which you are lodging your application for registration. The NMBA English Language Skills Registration Standard identifies the requirements for successful completion of the IELTS and OET. Test results must be obtained within two years prior to applying for registration. It is up to the individual to arrange these tests independents of AHPRA and upon completion, provide successful results to AHPRA.

For further information on APHRA’s International Nurse / Overseas Practitioners regulations, visit http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Overseas-Practitioners.aspx

Yes, there are a number of visa options available to nurses and midwives entering NSW. Please visit www.immi.gov.au for more information on Visas and eligibility requirements. Healthcare HQ unfortunately cannot offer sponsorship to skilled migrants or any other visa subclass (such as subclass Visa 457) that requires employer sponsorship.

While Immunisations are not a requirement for AHPRA registration purposes, NSW Health’s Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Policy states that, in order to hold a position as a healthcare worker in NSW, all employees are to provide documented evidence of protection against specified infectious diseases and TB to minimise the risk of transmission of such diseases.

For further information, visit http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/pages/oasv.aspx