By Emily James
2022 has been another year of enormous change for the healthcare industry. With Australian borders reopening to international visitors, opportunities for work, study and travel Down Under have become much more accessible to those abroad. And for nurses in particular, the roles and facilities in which you can work are boundless.
In this post, we’ll take you through just some of the benefits of working in Australia for international nurses, and how agency nursing work can help you further your career while allowing you to enjoy Australia’s sights and experiences. We’ll also take you through some of the ways you can secure work in Australia before you even arrive, such as through sponsorship opportunities.
- Receive sponsorship from leading employers
- Work in a range of roles and facilities
- Enjoy the sights and a friendly culture!
- Your next steps
Receive sponsorship from leading Australian employers
Due to the rapidly growing need for healthcare workers throughout the country, the Australian government is currently offering a range of sponsorship visas to support skilled workers with finding employment. Many nurses from countries such as Ireland, the UK and the Philippines have successfully secured sponsorship visas with leading employers in the healthcare industry.
Working in another country opens up a world of opportunities, and in a country as large and diverse as Australia, you’ll be able to further your nursing career in ways you would never imagine.
That’s where agency nursing comes in.
By securing sponsorship with a leading Australian nursing agency (like us!), you’ll have secure, regular employment before you even arrive, allowing you to focus on finding accommodation, organising transport and enjoying yourself!
For more information about sponsorship and general visas that you may be eligible for, you can consult the list below. Please note that the visas you’re eligible for are determined by a variety of factors, so it’s important to do your research before you apply. You should also seek advice from a trusted source, such as the Australian Department of Home Affairs, to ensure you’ll receive the correct visa and you haven’t missed anything in your application.
- Temporary Skills Shortage visa (subclass 482): a temporary visa allowing a skilled worker from overseas to work in a role that cannot be filled by a local;
- Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186): a visa allowing a skilled worker to live and work in Australia permanently upon nomination by an Australian employer;
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187): a visa allowing a skilled worker to live and work in Australia permanently upon nomination by a regional Australian employer;
- Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): a visa allowing workers with specific skills required in Australia to live and work permanently in the country;
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): visa allowing skilled workers to live and work in Australia as permanent residents;
- Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191): a visa allowing those who have another eligible visa and meet specific income requirements to live and work in Australia permanently;
- Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491): a visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government to work in regional Australia;
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494): a visa allowing regional employers to sponsor skilled workers where a local worker cannot be sourced.
Work in a range of roles and facilities
Working in another country opens up a world of opportunities, and in a country as large and diverse as Australia, you’ll be able to further your nursing career in ways you would never imagine.
That’s where agency nursing comes in.
When employed with a leading Australian nursing agency (like us!), you’ll have the opportunity to work in a range of roles and facilities, increasing your skills and understanding of the Australian industry much faster. You’ll also meet many more local and international nurses than you would in a single role, allowing you to form many meaningful professional and personal relationships that make working in a foreign country easier.
At Healthcare HQ, we want our nurses to expand their horizons and try as many roles as they can and wish to. We’ll ensure that the work you do is suitable for your experience and encourages you to grow and expand on your current skill-set. For more information about the roles on offer for our international nurses, get in touch with us via phone or email.
Enjoy the sights and a friendly culture!
Australia is world-renowned for its laid-back and friendly atmosphere, and we love extending our hospitality to all of our international friends. We’ve also got a range of natural wonders and exciting events you wouldn’t find anywhere else in the world, making your stay here, no matter how short, one to remember for a lifetime.
Basing yourself in a major city can help you maximise your experience of the Australian landscape and our unique culture. If you’re in Sydney, for example, you can visit some of the best beaches in the world via car or public transport. There’s also many locations just outside of Sydney that make for great day trips, including the Blue Mountains, South Coast and the Central Coast. And if you want a break from the great outdoors, Sydney offers a host of bars, restaurants and cultural events.
If you’re stuck for ideas on how to explore Down Under, you can check out these 50 activities to do in Sydney, unique ways to meet people in Sydney and the 61 best places to visit in Australia.
Your next steps
Although making the decision to live and work overseas can be a daunting one, Australia’s relaxed and friendly culture and its vast opportunities for healthcare workers make it one of the best countries for nurses to work in. Whether you’re a keen traveller, looking to further your career or just want a change of scenery after the past few years of lockdowns, Australia would be more than happy to have you.
If you’re ready to take on a nursing role in Australia with flexibility, community and opportunity, you can get in touch with us via phone, email or our online application form. You can also use our refer a friend incentive to recommend someone you know. We do encourage you to speak with us via phone or email if you are looking for sponsorship.
Want to learn more about us before taking the plunge? You can learn about our story, read testimonials from our nurses or check out our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages for our latest blog posts and job opportunities.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is general in nature and does not constitute immigration advice. For more information relating to your personal circumstances, please contact the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
