nurseoz

Hi guys, quick question. I got my permanent resident visa last year however APHRA wouldn't register me as I am a diploma nurse and not degree thus I need to top up to a degree. However does anyone know if as a registered nurse in the UK I can register in Australia as an enrolled nurse instead. Asking APHRA is useless as they want you to just apply so they get payment even if they know the answer is no from the start. Any help would be extremely grateful. Thank you in advance Leanne xx

Hi Jac2011, Thanks for the reply. I really hope that that is the case. I wasn't really stressed until I saw that about the diploma thing. In regards to APHRA, it makes life a lot easier if it doesn't matter which state office you lodge your nursing interest too. Thank god for that! Big rig thanks again for the info. Cheers Leanne xx

Hi guys, although registered on here a while ago I've only just started the process of emigrating. Just wondering if anyone out there can answer a few quick questions for me? Bit of back ground info first. I'm a registered nurse who is going to hopefully be emigrating out to Oz this time next year. There will be myself and my 12 yr old daughter only. I'm a single mum. Saying that after my two years are up we are planning on my parents (they will both be 71yrs by then) coming out on the CPV. No point even looking at the non CPV as it's far too long to wait. Finally the only person left here then will be my brother so he will come out on the last remaining relative visa...that's the big plan for all of us over the next few years anyway. So here are the few questions I have. I would love mum and dad to be a part of my life in oz whilst we have to wait for my first two years to be up before we can apply for them to come on the CPV. I know as UK citizens that we are allowed to apply for long stay tourist visa for up to 12 months. Does anyone know if they can come out on a long term tourist visa then, before it's up, apply for another 12 months visa and so on until they have their CPV granted? I know in America and Canada as long as you leave the country for two-three weeks I think, then you can re-enter again. Does this same thing happen with Oz? The problem I have is my dad will not fly. He's told me to be with us he will only do it once. I was hoping that if the above is acceptable to the Australian government/immigration then they could take themselves off by ferry to New Zealand for a holiday each time. I don't want to risk messing the Australian immigration about and risk the chance of them applying for their CPV. if I know the facts then we will just have to plan around them. Whatever the outcome they would be living with me either way. I'd hopefully be renting then buying a house that has an annex or granny flat to it. At their age I can not expect them to get a place of their own. It just wouldn't be feasible. They will however have the means to pay their way as in food etc as they will still be drawing their pension and they will have some funds from the sale of their house here thus they can fund themselves during the tourist visa phase and then once they have their CVP. It's a matter of weighing up if they should sell up and do the tourist visa thing until the CPV is granted. Hope I've not confused anyone and sorry for the long winded message. I do really appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks again...Leanne xx

Hi guys, I am still finding my feet on this site as registered ages ago but only recently have started the process. It's just a few things I need anyone out there with the knowledge to answer. So your help and advice will be much appreciated. Firstly this is where I stand: registered diploma nurse in March 2007. Worked as a scrub nurse since qualifying so 7 years to total. Sat and passed my English academic test beginning of Feb. Separate issue but sitting the general English test in May to gain myself extra points for a permanent residency visa rather than anything else. Received an email from ANMAC on 28th March to say they have received all my documents. Ok so here's the questions. Obviously reading some of the posts on here I've now learnt I may come un stuck being a adult diploma nurse rather than degree, although been qualified and registered with NMC for 7 years. Should I be worried or is it scare tactics? I want to put my APHRA documentation in now since I'm panicking about the diploma issue but reading the ANMAC site they are happy to send all the documents they have received from me direct to APHRA when they have assessed me. Has anyone else done it this way and if so did APHRA except it and were there delays from ANMAC to APHRA? Also does APHRA require additional documentation sending direct from myself? Still on the issue of APHRA. As yet I'm undecided on Queensland or Victoria to set up my new life. Can someone clarify something for me. If I register my interest with APHRA in Queensland and I am excepted but then circumstances mean I have to relocate to Victoria can my registration be transferred to Victoria? I'm guessing they will want an administration fee to do it be surely if you have been given a registration number from them it's shouldn't matter what state you practice in regards you registration? I'm just not sure if I'm getting the wrong end of the stick it's just I've been told you have to register with the state you want to practice as a registered nurse in. I'm hoping I wouldn't have to pay out again for another registration. That would be expensive. On a personal note I'm a single mum of a 12 yr girl. I will be coming out to Oz with just Ellie my daughter. Obviously money is tight being on my own so every decision I make here on in is a huge emotional and financially commitment from me. I need to know all my facts at every step of the way, that's why I'm asking the questions above. I will be forever grateful to anyone on here that can help with the issues above. Huge thanks in advance. Leanne xx

Thanks Yank Down Under. I'm on nights now for the next three so I'll try and do a bit more research and see if I can send a few emails off to get a bit more info from Maters sister hospital in Bundy. I am very new to this forum stuff. Do you think I should re post the original thread at the top in a thread related to Bundy, and obviously changing the details to Bundy from Mackay? Not sure if more people will notice it then. Please dont think that I do not appreciate your reply above though, as I do. Just would like as much info as I possibly can. I appreciate your time given. Do you know the names of any internet sites that advertise nursing jobs through out Queensland or even Victoria? I want to stay clear of nursing agencies really, but beggers cant be choosers I guess. xx

Thank you to Yank Down Under for your reply. Well your thread puts a move to Mackay in to a clearer perspective now. It's certainly made me take time out and re think Mackay as somewhere to move to. I know the hospital that offered me the job has four other hospitals down the Queensland coast; yappon, rockhampton, Gladstone and Bundaburg. Whether I was told right, rockhampton I was told to avoid. Not too sure about the others. Bundaburg was my next destination on the list but I thought Mackay was gonna be ok but got that wrong too by the sounds if things. This is becoming slightly stressful. If I was a single women it wouldn't bother me where I'd go coz I'd just move on again when the time suited but my priority is my 11yrs old and I certainly don't want to keep up rooting her. Every kid needs stability however old they are at least until they finish their school years. Parental responsibilities eh!!! :0) got to do right by my kid. So guys any advice on the other places, bearing all my original questions in mind? Ps. I've written this via my iPhone so sorry if there are any mistakes. Xxx

Just wanted to say a quick thank you and show my recognition that I have actually read the two replies above from Eera and Bobj. Ill say a proper thank you soon, it's just I'm ill at the moment and haven't got the energy to be writing more than this at the minute. Ill be back on soon, promise. Again thank you both. nurseoz :0)

Hi Guys, I will apologise now for this may be a long thread and I have never done it before. I have been offered a nursing post at Mater Hospital in Mackay. I’ve decided to take the post but there are lots of questions that I need to ask and who better to ask but you guys that are already there, so please, please, please can you help? I’m a single parent with an 11yr old daughter (just turned 11yrs) so there would be just me and her coming out. My main worry is the lack of support in regards to shift patterns etc and being there for my daughter. Obviously this is something I will discuss further with my employee but as general info goes can anyone answer the following: Schooling: - Which primary schools are decent in Mackay and where are they? - Would you say private school is better? - Approx cost of private school? - Are there any after and before school clubs? If so approx cost per hr/session and times open to and from? - What age do they start secondary school? Which secondary schools are good too? - Is there a decent University near by or would we have to move when that time comes? Living in Mackay: - What is Mackay truly like? Is it very rural and small? What amenities are there?? Cinemas, bowling, eating out, shopping malls etc? I’m not after living somewhere like Brisbane but I come from a place near Bury in Lancashire. I’d like to think I could compare it size wise to Bury. - Is Mackay safe? Safe as in crime and safe as in beaches safe to be on in respect of crocodiles? I know there will be sharks but want to be able to enjoy the beach without looking behind me ever five minutes. Not sure if this is possible? Are there nice beaches available? - Climate in Mackay? Is it bearable? I’ve heard it’s very very hot and humid. Just wondering how new pomsinoz are dealing with it? - Also been warned about the mosquitoes? Are they a problem too? - What’s the cost of living? Things I’m looking at are every day items: petrol, electricity, food (bread, milk, potatoes, meat, and eggs), eating out, cinema, prescriptions, and dentist charges? - Also been told rent is expensive. I’d like to rent a three bedroom place for when friends and family come over but not sure if I’m going to be forced to get something like a two bedroom apartment. :0(Looking at a very old thread someone said you don’t have to pay council tax or rates regardless of renting or buying a home? Is this true? Could some one give me an approximate figure per month which would include rent, tax, rates, water and electricity? I know it’s an individual thing but would give me an idea if I could survive. Don’t want to uproot my daughter to then struggle and then have to return to the UK. I want it to be a realistic move and not a fairy tail! - Which area of Mackay is reasonable to live in regards cost of living, safety and nice area to bring a child up in? - What is the tax % on wages; average wages per single person, VAT charged by Mackay or Queensland which ever, car tax, MOT, NI contribution and pensions? - In your opinion how much money would you say I’d need to live on per week to live comfortably without killing myself work wise? I’m being offered a job that is going to pay $37.86 an hour for a 30hrs week not 37.5. That is basic with out any shift or penalty rates (what ever that is) or on call allowance. I’m sure I can increase the hours if need be but that is the same as what I work in my NHS job here but then I do do bank work too when I need to. Car: - My friend said it may be worth me importing my car. I have an Audi A4. Not new but 1996. Although it’s done just over 190,000 miles it’s been a real gem. I need to work out if it’s worth popping it in the container but it all depends on import tax? Has anyone done this and how much did you get charged? Is it a real pain in the bottom to sort out? Is it worth it over all? If I’m honest I’d love to buy and American muscle car but again not sure if you guys have them in Oz and if so the cost. I need to way up if it’s cheaper to bring my car or buy one when I’m there. I do not want a Japanese import though. If anything I’d want to settle for another Audi but it doesn’t have to be new, haven’t the money for that. I’d need to know if I’d have to modify my car if you guys advise me to bring it. - Finally I know I’ve mentioned it above but how much is car tax, MOTs insurance etc per year. Plus if I did bring my Audi does any one know if a garage would touch it when work needed doing to it and are there parts available for an Audi of that age? Think that will have to do for now. I’m sure you’re all bored with my questions. I apologise for it being such a long thread but I would be very grateful for any help and advice offered. I want to get all my facts right before I change the course of both myself and my daughter’s life…hope fully forever and for the better. Thanks Guys nurseoz

Hi Guys, I will apologise now for this may be a long thread and I have never done it before. I have been offered a nursing post at Mater Hospital in Mackay. I’ve decided to take the post but there are lots of questions that I need to ask and who better to ask but you guys that are already there, so please, please, please can you help? I’m a single parent with an 11yr old daughter (just turned 11yrs) so there would be just me and her coming out. My main worry is the lack of support in regards to shift patterns etc and being there for my daughter. Obviously this is something I will discuss further with my employee but as general info goes can anyone answer the following: Schooling: - Which primary schools are decent in Mackay and where are they? - Would you say private school is better? - Approx cost of private school? - Are there any after and before school clubs? If so approx cost per hr/session and times open to and from? - What age do they start secondary school? Which secondary schools are good too? - Is there a decent University near by or would we have to move when that time comes? Living in Mackay: - What is Mackay truly like? Is it very rural and small? What amenities are there?? Cinemas, bowling, eating out, shopping malls etc? I’m not after living somewhere like Brisbane but I come from a place near Bury in Lancashire. I’d like to think I could compare it size wise to Bury. - Is Mackay safe? Safe as in crime and safe as in beaches safe to be on in respect of crocodiles? I know there will be sharks but want to be able to enjoy the beach without looking behind me ever five minutes. Not sure if this is possible? Are there nice beaches available? - Climate in Mackay? Is it bearable? I’ve heard it’s very very hot and humid. Just wondering how new pomsinoz are dealing with it? - Also been warned about the mosquitoes? Are they a problem too? - What’s the cost of living? Things I’m looking at are every day items: petrol, electricity, food (bread, milk, potatoes, meat, and eggs), eating out, cinema, prescriptions, and dentist charges? - Also been told rent is expensive. I’d like to rent a three bedroom place for when friends and family come over but not sure if I’m going to be forced to get something like a two bedroom apartment. :0(Looking at a very old thread someone said you don’t have to pay council tax or rates regardless of renting or buying a home? Is this true? Could some one give me an approximate figure per month which would include rent, tax, rates, water and electricity? I know it’s an individual thing but would give me an idea if I could survive. Don’t want to uproot my daughter to then struggle and then have to return to the UK. I want it to be a realistic move and not a fairy tail! - Which area of Mackay is reasonable to live in regards cost of living, safety and nice area to bring a child up in? - What is the tax % on wages; average wages per single person, VAT charged by Mackay or Queensland which ever, car tax, MOT, NI contribution and pensions? - In your opinion how much money would you say I’d need to live on per week to live comfortably without killing myself work wise? I’m being offered a job that is going to pay $37.86 an hour for a 30hrs week not 37.5. That is basic with out any shift or penalty rates (what ever that is) or on call allowance. I’m sure I can increase the hours if need be but that is the same as what I work in my NHS job here but then I do do bank work too when I need to. Car: - My friend said it may be worth me importing my car. I have an Audi A4. Not new but 1996. Although it’s done just over 190,000 miles it’s been a real gem. I need to work out if it’s worth popping it in the container but it all depends on import tax? Has anyone done this and how much did you get charged? Is it a real pain in the bottom to sort out? Is it worth it over all? If I’m honest I’d love to buy and American muscle car but again not sure if you guys have them in Oz and if so the cost. I need to way up if it’s cheaper to bring my car or buy one when I’m there. I do not want a Japanese import though. If anything I’d want to settle for another Audi but it doesn’t have to be new, haven’t the money for that. I’d need to know if I’d have to modify my car if you guys advise me to bring it. - Finally I know I’ve mentioned it above but how much is car tax, MOTs insurance etc per year. Plus if I did bring my Audi does any one know if a garage would touch it when work needed doing to it and are there parts available for an Audi of that age? Think that will have to do for now. I’m sure you’re all bored with my questions. I apologise for it being such a long thread but I would be very grateful for any help and advice offered. I want to get all my facts right before I change the course of both myself and my daughter’s life…hope fully forever and for the better. Thanks Guys nurseoz