Cobs_Ahoy

I saw this on the ISCAH Facebook page recently:

I guess it will vary between the states but doesn’t seem to bad for nurses

24 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

First, try to see it from their point of view.  As far as your parents are concerned, they're losing you forever.  Brief holidays now and then seem like scant compensation to them.  What's worse, you didn't all get snatched from them by death or war or other circumstance - you're choosing to go, deciding that another country matters more than they do.  No wonder they're upset. 

That's why you need the kevlar pants.  If moving to Australia is genuinely the best thing for your family, then you have to press on, but don't underestimate the grieving process that your parents are going through.  Don't blame them for being "unreasonable", because they're not being unreasonable. They had a dream of what their old age would be like, and you've just destroyed it. They're entitled to be upset.

Given the depth of that feeling, I don't think I'd say anything yet.  The whole visa process takes ages and your parents probably have no idea how long it takes.    You could probably wait till you actually submit the application to say, "we're applying", and your  parents will have no idea how many months you've already invested in skills assessments etc.   

I’d agree with this, part of the reason we haven’t told people yet is I don’t want my 6 year old worrying about stuff for potentially well over a year, and I don’t want to tell other family members until my daughter knows. 

We are at the ‘thumb twiddling’ she now. I’ve lodged the EoI for a 189 but until my experience ticks over to 8 years (next August) I’m only on 75 points so not holding my breath. Figured it was worth sticking in though due to covid.

Who knows when Queensland will restart state nominations for overseas applicants, but as soon as they do I’ll put an EoI in for a 190. Although if they change the AHPRA criteria (In previous years QLD didn’t require registration before lodging your EoI, I like other states) I’ll have some more goops to jump through. 

Good of luck with your English test, I got my results from Peterson’s an hour later and immediately submitted my skills assessment, which then took three weeks to come back. I think IELTS takes longer though?

We’ve been fretting about this a bit too, in the end we decided no point telling anyone until we’ve had an invitation to apply, otherwise there are just to many unknowns (including whether we can actually even do it!)

where are you in in the process now? Did you get any answers about the bridging course? I’ve submitted an EoI for a 189 while waiting for Queensland to open state nominations. 

I did did see this new news article a couple of weeks ago that raised my hopes, but haven’t been able I find out any details since.....

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/health-minister-reveals-plan-to-ship-2000-healthcare-professionals-from-overseas/news-story/4d8154d4c2598dd19bafaa1215beb7c4%3famp

I have just had my skills assessment letter of determination from ANMAC and am ready to submit my EoIs, but wondered if anyone could help with the following....

On skills select it looks as if you can put multiple EOIs in one entry, can you complete one EOI and then add another at a later point?

I’m unlikely to get 189 (75 points) but thought might as well stick one in as I’m a nurse and things seem to have been less predictable with HCP visas during covid. I also want to stick a 190 for Queensland in, but their window for submissions isn’t open at the minute, and it’s not clear when they will open or if they will consider offshore applicants this cycle.

So am I able to put a 189 EOI in now and then add a 190 at a later stage?

Yes I think you have to present in person to finalise the APHRA registration and in normal times they only give you three months to do so, but from seeing posts on here i think they’ve been granting extensions because of covid. 

Luckilly I did the degree instead of the diploma so no bridging course needed. What does the bridging course entail and do you need it for ANMAC or APHRA? Has it meant you will be getting out there later than originally planned?

Hello again Bs  

i hope its the former as my NMC certificate expires next week and I don’t think my (very recently!) submitted skills assessment will be done before then. Presumably once ANMAC have signed you off the NMC certificate isn’t needed for the rest of the visa application, although I guess we will have to get another one when we register with AHPRA?

Good luck with your English test, I felt such a sense of relief once that was done and dusted, but now finding myself obsessively checking my ANMAC account despite the fact current processing times are apparently 7-8 weeks.

In case anyone looks at this thread and wants an update....

I sat PTE this morning and received my results less than an hour later, 90 in all sections, phew

After taking the scored practice test on Monday, I revisited the Supercow thread on this site and looked for some tips on improving my writing, watched an E2 language video on the strategy for approaching essay writing, then paid the $20 for the question bank and spent a couple of hours over 2 days practicing.

When I sat the test this morning I noticed how much easier it was to write the essays using the E2 strategy, and I think the practice summarising chunks of info into one sentence helped. I actually found the real tests harder overall than the practice, but I guess some of that was nerves. 

Anyway, off to set up an ANMAC account and submit my application for a skills assessment  

That’s really useful, cheers. I had a free morning today so decided to do one of the scored practice tests to familiarise myself with actually doing the test, and also to give me an idea of scores. 

I was pleasantly surprised, scored 86 and the test was much easier than I thought, but unsurprisingly I have appalling spelling! One of my answers didn’t save as I started talking after a 3 second delay so the mic switched off. I’m glad I took the mock, I know where to work on before the test, feel a bit more relaxed now and think it has been helpful to familiarise myself with the format. 

Anyway here is my mock test score sheet in case it’s of use to anyone else....

Has anyone sat the PTE with minimal prep and scored 79+ points? I had a lovely revision timetable sorted but covid restrictions and associated childcare issues put a spanner in the works.

I’m booked to take the test on Saturday but will be working all week. I’m going to try and do some revision in the evenings, but with two small children at home I often find my brain doesn’t really function after midday wondering just how bad my chances of a decent score are at this point.....

Oh 95 points is great, I check the ISCAH Facebook page fairly regularly as they often post info about the profiles of people getting invites, I think I remember the last round including offshore nurses with a minimum score of 90 points. 

No wonder your agent was enthusiastic!

Which specialism are you? I’m mental health and work in the community. I feel a bit antsy about moving as I recently got a B7 clinical lead post and from what I understand most UK nurses have to start in junior roles (on the wards) once they get over and then try and work up.

No you still have to do your skills assessment first, I just meant I will stick my EoIs in once the skills assessment is done.

if your husband is getting you extra points due to his profession it sounds like you will have a high points score, have you checked on the immi calculator exactly what your score is? You might find you can get a 189 fairly quickly as a priority professional with 90+ points. I’m relying on the extra points from state sponsorship really, don’t think I’m likely to get a 189 but figure no harm in sticking an EoI in.

Are you trying to get out ASAP or have you got a specific date in mind?

I’m in a similar situation, 36yo nurse with husband and two children, plus family in Melbourne. 

Ive dithered around for quite a while looking at options (there aren’t many!) and planning what to do. I’m guessing you will have more points than me as I have 7 years experience - the points go up once you hit 8yrs experience and for me that will be August next year.  We are aiming to get out there for December 2022, will stick the EoIs in ASAP and hopefully I’ll get an invite this year but if not then I guess my chances increase from next August.

So now I’ve decided what to do, I’ve started the process of applying - I’ve got my English test at the start of September, have requested references from employers and got my NMC certificate + uni transcripts ready. As soon as I have my test results I will complete the ANMAC skills assessment.

As it’s free to submit an EoI I have decided to stick them in for a 190 (Queensland sponsored) and a 189. The problem is that you can’t submit a 190 until the state opens the (often very small) window for you to do so, I check the Queensland migration website regularly to see when the next window will be. They’ve only opened to onshore applications for a while now in Queensland, but I think it varies between the states as I’ve seen offshore OTs getting 190 invites for Tasmania. 

Good luck!

Hi OP,

I’m a mental health nurse also waiting for 190 EOIs to open up again, have you heard something official about Tas offshore applications opening in July? I’m looking out for QLD but so far when they have briefly opened up for submissions it’s been for onshore applicants only, which is pretty disheartening. 
 

Despite only having 80p (without state sponsorship) I’m considering just submitting an EOI for a 189 while I’m waiting as it doesn’t cost anything, might have missed the boat in terms of HCPs getting selected faster than usual and with less points but no harm in trying.

good luck!

Hi Tonks,

Im in a similar position and have been obsessively checking the BSMQ Facebook page for updates. I saw someone had asked them when they were likely to open up to offshore EOIs and their reply was “not until the covid situation significantly improves”. 
 

So we might be a way off yet!

That’s really helpful, cheers. I went back to the BSMQ website and it said they require a skills assessment and proof of professional registration, but I’m guessing if your mate didn’t need AHPRA at the point of applying that might mean local registration (NMC in my case). 
 

ive seen threads on here that have said you need APHRA before submitting an EoI for a 190, and others that have said they’ve left it until completing the invitation to apply (in order to time presenting in person with the visa grant), so it’s a bit confusing. I guess the best bet is to contact BSMQ.

Hi Duke,

Thanks for your response, did you move out on a 190? I think I’ve seen your name during my frantic reading of posts - are you an RMN?

yep I’m aware of ANMAC and AHPRA, on the BSMQ website it mentions needing a skills assessment and professional registration. Or at least I thought it did - it’s difficult to find the info at the min due to so much stuff being suspended.

I saw the mega-brief Queensland sponsorship opening in October, and online it says they will have a new quota for the skilled program visas in January which  I will miss, but hoping to get my arse in gear so ready to just hit ‘submit’ for the next one!

I probably would consider ‘nipping over’, or at least trying to plan a holiday, but with kids+Covid it’s not just the financial stuff to consider (although the thought of forking out a few grand to quarantine for two weeks with a 5y0 and 1yo brings tears to my eyes), but I believe it’s a moot point at present anyway due to border closures.

I wondered if any HCPs had recently applied for an offshore 190 and had any info regarding registering with AHPRA.....

I want to try and get state sponsorship from QLD but understand as a nurse I have to have registered with AHPRA before submitting my EoI, and AHPRA stipulate once you have a registration in principle you then need to present in person within 30 days.

Although I know people have flown in just to finalise registration, its hard enough to just ‘nip over’ from the U.K. at the best of times, and obviously impossible at the minute! But clearly there is a way around the current Covid restrictions as nurses have been granted visas recently (although I don’t know if they were 190s). According to APHRA they are entering HVPs onto the register without having presented in person, but the requirements don’t seem to match an offshore 190 application - eg getting your employer to sign some documents etc. 

My question is whether the ‘in principle’ registration is enough for processing the EoI, or whether you have to have finalised registration before the EoI progresses. I'm keen to start the process ASAP because I only have 80 points (+5 if I get sponsorship), but it seems now is a good time to apply as a HCP. 

Any advice/experience gratefully received!

That’s really good of you Ali, much appreciated and I will definitely take you up on that when I’m in the position to apply.

Ahhhh ok, that gives a bit of clarity to some of the jobs I’ve seen advertised, thanks.

Ahhhhh I’ve just seen you have also seen that thread pooja as you have responded to the OP! Just goes to show it’s often worth trying something even if you think there isn’t a chance in hell you will succeed! 

Cheers Pooja, that’s good to hear. Do you mind me asking how your friend found the job? Did she contact hospitals directly to ask if there were any sponsorship posts going, or was it a post advertised as open to sponsorship?

Interestingly there is another thread knocking around PiO at the min where the OP received his invitation to apply for a 189 with 70 points within a couple of weeks of submitting his EoI, so I’m wondering if despite the PMSOL being for specific visas, whether the listed professions are also being fast tracked across the board by immigration as I thought anything less than 90 points meant you were very unlikely to be invited to apply for a 189.

Thanks Ali, that’s really useful information and exactly what I was after. I’m hoping to move to Queensland so will look into the specific legislation. Is a community role considered a promotion then? When I qualified I did my band 5 preceptorship in the community, although that was unusual at the time and I know most nurses did a stint on the wards first. 
 

Did you find it easy to get back to your equivalent band 7 position once you were practicing out there? I’m not averse to going onto the wards to get my foot in the door, but my biggest wobble is whether I am going to struggle to make the same progress in Australia - I am in the middle of completing a masters that would lead to band 8 post in a few years (As a clinician rather than management), are you able to shed any light on what the equivalent in Australia would be? I have seen adverts for ‘clinical nurse consultants’ but couldn’t really get a sense of what the role involved and what qualifications/experience the post requires. 

hi folks, 

I’m wondering if anyone can help me get a sense of what community mental health nursing in Australia is like in comparison to the U.K.? I’ve found lots of PiO posts by RMNs, most of whom seemed to be going onto the wards, however as the bulk of my experience is in the community I was hoping to find a community post down under.

if you have worked as a CPN in Australia,  did you go straight into the community or was your first post on a ward?

If you have community experience in both countries, have you found any significant differences? 

Any info is much appreciated, cheers!

Thanks Marisa,

I did contemplate it In the initial stages of my planning (when I had read about the glory days of relocation packages and streamlined processes for nurses!), but I would be bringing a husband and two young children so it’s a bit of a gamble. Although I think that would probably make PR more likely as the Australian work experience would bump my points up to be competitive. 

I haven’t read much about the employer sponsored visas as I was under the impression they didn’t really exist for nurses anymore, or at least not in the same numbers, not sure if the PMSOL and Covid has changed that, but it’s definitely food for thought.

Thanks both for the advice, much appreciated!

Ah thanks Paul, I had though that was the case at first but then saw another thread where someone applying for state sponsorship referenced their profession being on PMSOL, it got my hopes up as I presumed he was talking about 190.

Back to the (sensible) longer term plan....