Newly Qualified Nurse...a few questions!

[TheReids]

Hello all,
Just signed up to this today so this is my first post, but my husband and I have been reading threads on here for a while and there seems to be a lot of good advice going around so I thought it was time we tried to get some for ourselves!!

I completed my nursing degree in the UK in September 2011 and have been working as a registered nurse since my registration was confirmed in October 2011. My husband and I are very keen to make the move out to Australia as soon as we can after spending around 6 months travelling there a few years ago - we both fell in love with the country and lifestyle! We both used our working holiday visa while on that trip so would be looking at probably a 457 visa if sponsorship from an employer can be found.
I am really looking for advice on what we should be doing first! I'm a bit confused about the registration process in Australia and what the differences are between the NMBA, AHPRA and ANMAC!? I've got the form to register with the AHPRA as an overseas qualified nurse. Is this a good starting point? Am I right in saying that due to having completed my degree and secondary school education in the UK that I do not need to complete the English test?
I have started to apply for a few jobs but am jsut not sure when to be doing what in terms of registration and visa applications etc.
Any advice or information from those who know or who have been through it already would be hugely appreciated.
Thank you in anticipation!
The Reids.

[whichway]

You don't need to sit the English test (unless things have changed). You will be registering with AHPRA and that is all cos they are now the national registration board (which makes things a bit easier, but perhaps longer waiting times). Feel free to apply for jobs, they are very good at employing and sponsoring over here. Good Luck.

[whichway]

I myself, did not get sponsored and instead just applied for my PR from the UK. I had been sponsored before in NZ and I disliked my job but was restricted and couldn't leave easily because of the sponsor. I wanted to find my own job here in Oz and doing that worked out much better for me. Also meant when a**holes say "so you are one of the ones they imported then to take our jobs" I could say "no...eff off!"

[ali]

Sponsorship can be available although i've read on threads that this isn't as readily available as previously, you are also tied to one employer so not easy to move if you don't like it. I'm not 100% as we came on a PR visa but I don't think you need to do a skills assessment until you're actually applying for a PR visa (remember the 457 is temporary). You will need to be registered with AHPRA to work anywhere in Australia