Nursing in Australia

What is it like to be a Nurse in Australia?

In every Australian capital city there are large teaching hospitals, some with upwards of 1000 beds as well as smaller public facilities and aged care units. There are also thousands of private acute hospitals and facilities across Australia. Australia has a worldwide reputation for supplying high standards of medical care.

Shift times vary depending on the Australian hospital department in which you are working. Shift times are usually as follows:

AM – approx 0700 – 1500
PM – approx 1330 – 2130
ND – approx 2100 – 0730

What is the Nurse Training like in Australia?

Australian trained Registered Nurses have completed a 3 – 4 year long Bachelor of Nursing. Upon graduation nurses usually complete a graduate nurse program. Similar to New Zealand, skills such as IV fluid/medication administration and venepunctue are skills taught at university so upon graduation, all Australian registered nurses are IV competent and do not have to undergo their IV certificates.

A Graduate Certificate / Diploma can be gained in many specialties including ICU, A&E, Oncology, Paediatrics and many more.

What is the pay for Registered Nurses in Australia?

Pay scales in Australia vary from state to state, most are paid on a “service” scale and, provided you have worked in a reciprocal healthcare system, your experience will be taken into consideration.

Overview of public sector wage rates for nurses / midwives as at December 2007                

Obtaining your Nursing Registration

Unlike many other countries, each state or territory has its own registration authority. You need only register with one and then, via a very simple process, transfer your registration when you would like to move states.

Unfortunately the initial registration process can be lengthy (6 weeks – 4 months) so we suggest that you contact the nurses board of the state you would first like to work in as soon as possible to get an application form. It is highly recommended that you register before you arrive in Australia, if you don’t have a registration; you won’t be able to work.

The contact details for the Australian nursing boards are as follows:

Nurses Registration Board/Council

Nurses and Midwives Board of New South Wales                                 
477 Pitt St , Level 6
Sydney , NSW , 2000
Phone: (02) 9219 0222

Nurses Board of Victoria
Chief Executive Officer
Level 2 595 Little Collins St. Melbourne
Postal Address: GPO Box 4932 Melbourne Vic.3001
Phone: (03) 8635 1200
Fax: (03) 8635 1214

Nurses Board of South Australia
Chief executive Officer / Registrar
200 East Terrace. Adelaide.
Postal Address: PO Box 7176 Hutt St. Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8223 9700
Fax: (08) 8223 9717.

The Queensland Nursing Council
Level 14 201 Charlotte St. Brisbane.
Brisbane QLD 4000
Postal Address: GPO Box 2928 Brisbane Queensland 4001
Phone: (07) 3223 5111

Nurses Board of Western Australia
Chief executive Officer / Registrar
Postal Address: Locked bag 6 East Perth WA 6892.
Phone: (08) 9421 1100
Fax: (08) 9421 1022

FAQ's for your nursing application process

Certified documents: There will be various documents required by the Australian nursing boards/councils. All references and work statements must be printed on company letterhead and must be the original. All other documents must be certified true copies.

Proof of current registration: Most nursing councils will need a statement of entry or proof of registration to be sent to them, directly from the Nurses Board you are registered with. In other words, not via you. For example, If registering from the UK you will need to contact the NMC and request a form for your registration information to be sent to Australia. This can be a major hold up in the registration process so get on top of this ASAP!

Fees: There will be a fee involved with each Australian state you register with. Upon initial application, please ensure that you enclose your payment in Australian Dollars. Your bank will able to give you cheque in Australia dollars if required. Most boards/councils will allow you to pay with major credit cards. You may also incur fees from your current registration authority eg. The NMC (UK) will charge you 32 GBP in order to have your statement of entry sent to and Australian nursing board.

Who is eligible for registration?

Training completed outside Australia, excluding New Zealand

If you undertook your initial nurse training/undergraduate degree in any of the following countries you will may be eligible for direct entry onto an Australian nursing board register.

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• United States of America
• Canada
• Republic of South Africa
• Singapore
• Hong Kong
• Netherlands (HBO programs)

Nursing in Australia   :   Nursing in New South Wales
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