yorkcath

I applied for mine whilst APHRA were undergoing changes and moving everything to Melbourne. Mine took 14 months but I think things have improved since then. My advice would be not to set yourself a time frame and to be a chilled out as possible! It depends on how effective your caseworker is. Mine was rubbish! When I thought I was nearing the end of the process she asked for a document that I had already sent, then when I emailed her about this I had an out of office reply to say she was on vacation for 2 months!

Just wanted some thought on whether or not to take this further or let this drop? AHPRA got my application Oct 2010 and didn't process my application til over 6 months later. I had a sabbatical booked from April 2011 so assumed that be sufficient time to process it (as they stipulated it could take up to 3 months to process). I made 2 phone calls during this time to enquire about my application and explained my situation which was met with curt, bordering on rude answers. I then had to start my sabbatical as someone had been employed to take over my position for the year (I couldn't work in the UK under the terms so I was effectively unemployed). They asked for more information over the next few months when they could have asked for it in one go then in July 2011 my key worker asked for proof of aged care experience (in training) and proof of the link with my former married name. I returned the email the next day to inform her that it stated 'geriatric care' on my transcript and they already had my marriage certificate. I got an out of office reply to say that she was on holiday for 2 months. 2 weeks after she returned I got the approval to register. (so I could have been approved in July). I clarified before I left for Sydney and when I got to here, what exactly I needed to pick up my licence (which was lodged in Melbourne) and went through their letter with them. I travelled the hour into Sydney and AHPRA told me everything was ok and that I would have an email in the next 3 days with approval (from Melbourne). I was somewhat annoyed because I'd organised the CRB checks they requested on their letter and was told that they weren't needed as they did their own) Of course there was no email and when I phoned I was told to go back to the Sydney office with proof of a job offer, which was never once mentioned on the letter or in 'phone conversation. It's not AHPRA's fault that I organised my sabbatical but with a bit of information I would have delayed it and saved myself alot of money. I emailed a complaint (adding that I wouldn't treat my patients like this) to the ombudsman and he informed me I would receive a reply within 30 days - which was up about 5 weeks ago. I sent another email to enquire about a response, 3 weeks ago and still nothing. Should I go to the Health Minister next? Sorry for the rant! Thanks Cath x

I think you have to throw yourself into the lifestyle and make an effort and come with a positive attitude. I've found all the Aussie's I've met really friendly, from the people at work to random people I've chatted to in the streets to ask advice about the area. I have heard that other parts of Australia are more friendly though. There are lots of clubs eg bushwalking, ex-pat clubs, to meet people. It admittedly doesn't feel like home here yet, but there's loads of places to discover and Fiji and other beautiful Pacific Islands aren't far away. There are cheap places to but things like linens e.g. Linecraft. I bought a set of sheets for $30 for example. Clothes here are very expensive for the quality so bring stuff from home. Cars are pricey though and you need about $8K for anything decent. Someone told me to come out for 2 years before going home, then you'll get a real sense of what your life is like in Oz. Hope that helps

Hi, I'm in my mid 40s and came out by myself 3 months ago for a nursing job and to see if I could have a better life here. I earn about $75k and live in 'The Shires', about 25km south of the CBD of Sydney. I do save quite well but only because I flat share ($200/week) and don't have a car, otherwise I wouldn't be any better off here than home financially. I spend loads on food - about $110 per week. Work hours are longer but you get an 'ADO' day once a month - an extra day off in lieu of the 8 hour day. You can also do something called salary packaging (also known as salary sacrifice) where your rent, mortgage, credit cards, car leasing and a number of other things can be taken out of your wage directly before tax. I haven't signed up yet but I could save $1200 per year doing this. Flat sharing might be a good idea to meet people to start with (bring references). There's a great social group called 'Meet Up' (see their website) and they have lots of different sub-groups including a 40s and 50's group whom I met up with and they were lovely. I love my job compared to home, feeling really valued and have great teamwork. Let me know if you have any other questions and if you fancy meeting up for a cuppa when you get here, send me a PM. Good luck! Cath

Hi, I tried looking for a job myself with 457 sponsership. Queensland had nothing, the Melbourne hospitals were interestedbut told me to apply when I got PR. In the end I contacted an agency and they found me a job in the Sydney suburbs. I think only certain hospitals have a permit to take on nurses with 457 visas. Good luck!

Hi Jabba, Sorry you're having a rough time. I was quite surprised by your comments on midwifery being behind the UK. I came out to the suburbs of Sydney to work on a dialysis unit to see if life would be better than the UK and had some preconceived ideas that I'd have the great outdoor lifestyle and regular BBQ-ing. I enjoy the job and have learned alot but I feel like I'm at work all the time, for example 6 shifts on, one day off, 6 on again (8 hour shifts). The pay is way better but I save only because I flat share and don't have a car (seems like you need $10K for anything decent) and I rarely get time to socialise or get to meet new people. Also really disappointed that I only get 4 weeks off per year (instead of 8 1/2 at home!) and I was really hoping to have lot of time to travel. Love the sunshine though and looking forward to it getting warmer (nowhere seems to have central heating!). Sydney is very expensive and I spend alot on food! I keep hearing lots of good things about Perth so that might be worth a try. Hope things get better for you. Cath

Many thanks for the information. Cath x

HI, I'm on a work spondered 457 visa for a nursing position and wondered how easy it was to change sponsers. Does your new employer just apply to take over your visa? If so how much does it cost? Many thanks, Cath

I sent CRB checks to my employer for my nomination. They were some basic ones that I happen to have (for working in a kindergarten in Fiji). They were about 6 months old and cost £10. I assume they must have done their own checks. Maybe you could ask your employer. Good luck!

I had a quick look on the government website and it looks like it's $7000 for a PR visa- is this correct? I'm on a 457 visa and am thinking of applying for permanent residency but can get work sponsership if I commit to 3 years at this job (which I'm not sure I want to do).

Hi Katie, I've just moved here by myself and started a nursing job at the Sutherland hospital. I'm living in Caringbah and have moved out here by myself and don't really know many people. I hail from York and in my early 40's (but young minded!) and love hiking and outdoors stuff. if you fancy meeting for a coffee my email address is yorkcath@live.co.uk Cheers, Cath

Hiya, I'd be keen to meet up too! I'm in my early 40's but young minded and I've moved to the Sutherland area by myself to start a nursing job and I don't really know anyone here. Cheers Cath

Thanks Melanie, I wanted someone elses opinion first and reassurance that I wasn't over reacting. I could have expanded the letter even more but would have taken all night! Anyway I've finally been approved!!

Hiya, just wondered what you guys thoughts were on going to the ombudsman about my application. My application was sent to Victoia in October 2010 and didn't get assessed until over 4 months later (not the 3 they stated). Many weeks went by between communications and finally thought I'd got everthing mailed that they wanted. Because some of my training certificates were in my former marrried name the decree absolute was insufficient proof to connect the 2 names. That I could understand and promptly obtained a copy of my marriage certificate. Then in July, the day before I was about to travel abroad for 3 months my case officer emailed me that she needed identity proof of my former surname and that I had no 'aged care experience' on my transcript. I emailed back to say that I was no longer known by this name, reminded her that I had sent a copy of my marriage certificate and told her that I had an obscelete passport with my former name and that my transcript had 'geriatric' experience documentd. Lo and behold I got an out of office reply to say that she was on holiday for 2 months. I repeatedly emailed the contact address for her colleague frantic that I couldn't get the old passport copy to her whilst I was away and that they would tear up my application. I had no reply. The day my case worker came back she emailed me my eligibility to register! That was September: fast forward to today and I went on the 10th to the Sydney office with EVERYTHING on their list to pick up my registration (was told my old passport wasn't necessary). They told me I would have an email within 3-4 working days from Melbourne. I decided to be proactive and phone the Victoria office to chase it up and lucky I did as they would have sat on it. I was then told I needed to provide a letter of employment offer which was not on their list of paperwork to bring on arrival in Oz. A forwarded email wasn't sufficient nor was the fact that my hospital's name was on the visa approval. So I made the 2 hour round trip back to Sydney and I can't start work on Monday if I don't have this registration. Apologies for the long email and ranting but it's so fustrating andI'm sure my case isn't unusual. If I have to delay starting work it's more living expenditure for me whilst I wait. Thanks for reading! Cath:mad:

Hi Kirsty, I applied last March and I qualified in 1990 which was pre project 2000 so I only had a certificate in nursing. Thankfully I had a level 2 leg ulcer management (3 month) course which was the only diploma level certifiacte I had. They accepted this and I think they take experince into account too. Best of luck, Cath x