Serendipity

Hi Deanne, I've no particular advice at the moment as I'm looking into it myself and keeping fingers crossed! I will let you know if I come upon any useful info or advice. I am also thinking about a sideline in order to earn money if we get out there and I can't get a job as an OT for a while- maybe doing some Barista training!! From what I've picked up if you're prepared to head into the more remote places you may be more likely to get a position prepared to supervise you. Maybe things will be different in a year or so, but I doubt it. Keep me posted!

Hi, not yet at the EOI stage yet but what is involved with an expression of interest? Is there a lot of paperwork involved again (it took me weeks to get all the stuff together for my skills assessment!!). Just wondering, and planning ahead as usual! Thanks, this forum has been VERY helpful so far.

That's reassuring to hear, thanks so much Lady Rainicorn! I actually think I'd be good in the coffee business- I've got a reputation where I live near leeds with friends for making THE best coffee- I'm going to run with the barista thing and look into that in more detail. Thanks!

Hi and thanks so much for all the comments. My preference would also be to work as an OT as I'll have over 20 years experience when we get out there. I'm just concerned because I know that a lot of OT's have moved over there after getting permanent residency but then can't get jobs because in order for an employer to take you on as an OT you have to be AHPRA registered, and in order to get fully AHPRA registered you have to have 6 months proven supervised experience with an Australian employer. So its a catch 22 situation. I don't think its impossible but its very difficult to find an employer prepared to take you on and supervise you. I'm hearing of OT's who have just had to give up and come home. I don't want that to happen to us! I've just been trying to look at options for being able to do some type of work when we do move to Australia until I can find an employer who will supervise my first 6 months as an OT. We have two children so I really need to be careful and plan! My partner will hopefully get work as well. The other option I've thought of is to do Barista training and try to get some experience of working in a coffee shop/ in hospitality. A random side step I know and it wouldn't earn me much money compared with OT, BUT it may mean I can get an income whilst looking for work as an OT! There's nothing like a challenge!

Hi, I'm currently at the beginning of the 189 visa application process, and realistically we are looking at end of 2015 to move over if it all goes to plan. My skills are being assessed as an occupational Therapist toward the visa, but I am fully aware that it is very hard to get work as an OT in OZ due to a registration issues for overseas OT's like myself and I am anticipating that this will not change by the time we get out there. Thinking laterally, I am looking at whether I could do some additional training and then work in a different field when we get there. I have looked at training to be a wellness coach (or life-coach) which would build on my experiences as an OT but be a different career path. I have looked at lifecoachingacademy.com.au who offer a range of different courses which I can study online. I have time to study as the courses take 9-12 months to complete. They are very expensive (approx. £2900), but if the prospects looked positive then I would be happy to invest. Does anyone have any idea what the market for wellness coaching is in Oz. I realise I would be working as an individual and have to market myself and build up a client base, rather than be employed. However I would be able to start that process in the UK, get clients, set up a website etc Does anyone have any thoughts or advice please. Thank you.

Hi yes I've searched through previous posts. It does seem to be a fairly recent change to the registration process, and OT's in a similar situation to me don't seem to have any answers! I've read posts from others who have already moved out and just not able to get work for this reason. seems daft doesn't it.

Hi, yes I've practised for 19 years but that's not the issue. The problem is that in theory when I get to Oz, even though I will have had the desktop (Skills) assessment done as part of my visa application, which looks at all my qualifications, references, college transcripts etc in order to work I need to be fully Ahpra registered and THIS requires a period of 6 months supervised practice. So most jobs require an OT to be fully registered before they will take them on! But in order to get registration I would need an employer to take me on etc etc. Seems a bit of a non starter really but I'm hoping for a glimmer of hope from someone out there!

Just posted this on the migration issues thread as its currently where I'm up to, but realised it may be more apt here! I've read back through previous threads about OT's looking for work in Oz after moving there. I am in process of applying for visa for permanent residency so me and my family can come over from UK to live and work (currently just submitted skills assessment paperwork). I am an OT. I've been reading about the difficulties of foreign OT's getting Ahpra registration as employers aren't prepared to take on non Ahpra registered OT's, and you need to have practiced to get the registration. Do you think this makes it impossible to get a job as an OT or are there ways around it? Also what are the most needed clinical areas for OT's to work in. I've heard that Voc rehab is much bigger in Oz than UK. I have worked as an OT privately in Uk for a few years doing FCE type assessments and return to work assessments. I'm Matheson trained, is this style of FCE recognised in Oz? I also do locum work for local authorities assessing for equipment and adaptations. I still have time to streamline my work experience and do extra training courses if needed as we are not planning to move over till end of 2015, but not sure which was to go. I also have an MSc in Work Design and Ergonomics. Any advice you can give will be greatly appreciated, especially from OT's who are in this catch 22 situation. Thank you.

Hi, I've read back through previous threads about OT's looking for work in Oz after moving there. I am in process of applying for visa for permanent residency so me and my family can come over from UK to live and work (currently just submitted skills assessment paperwork). I am an OT. I've been reading about the difficulties of foreign OT's getting Ahpra registration as employers aren't prepared to take on non Ahpra registered OT's, and you need to have practiced to get the registration. Do you think this makes it impossible to get a job as an OT or are there ways around it? Also what are the most needed clinical areas for OT's to work in. I've heard that Voc rehab is much bigger in Oz than UK. I have worked as an OT privately in Uk for a few years doing FCE type assessments and return to work assessments. I'm Matheson trained, is this style of FCE recognised in Oz? I also do locum work for local authorities assessing for equipment and adaptations. I still have time to streamline my work experience and do extra training courses if needed as we are not planning to move over till end of 2015, but not sure which was to go. I also have an MSc in Work Design and Ergonomics. Any advice you can give will be greatly appreciated, especially from OT's who are in this catch 22 situation. Thank you.

Hi there, I have just started process of applying for 189 visa. Am also an OT, currently collecting all the stuff for my skills assessment. So Even, have you been able to find anything out about what type of OT's are more in demand. I've done mostly community work and workplace assessments recently. I am planning on trying to get back into hospital OT work for more recent experience as those skills need updating. My husband thinks he will need to be based nearer Sydney or Melbourne for his work (Marketing) so I am keeping an open mind at the moment. I am going to a working abroad seminar day in Manchester on sept 20th to find out more info. We are planning on heading out autumn/ winter 2015 (have two kids to take) so we have a lot of planning to do!