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

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: