Any Speech and Language Therapists?

[klee42]

I think only paid agriculture, construction or mining work counts towards extending your visa.

 

 

I thought that might be the case. Thanks Naomi.

 

I'm having a bit of a headache deciding whether to commit to Speech Therapy and pay the $660 or see how I like Australia and make some money doing Farm Work. Has anyone been in a similar situation? If I didn't have to pay the money, I would obviously do Speech Therapy work but $660 is a lot of money!!!

 

Is anyone aware of the job situation within the Sydney area at the moment? I have been looking on line for Hospital jobs but am not finding much?

 

Thanks in advance

Katie

[Naomi from Manchester]

I don't think there's much work advertised in Sydney itself at the moment, but it may be easier to get work in other parts of NSW.

 

There's casual positions like these: https://nswhealth.erecruit.com.au/ViewPosition.aspx?Id=194215

[Grace C]

Hi All,

Glad to read this forum....I am sooooo confused about the possibility of working in Oz and even if it will be a viable option!

I am an SLt currently working in the UK. I have 3.5 yrs experience & have completed my Dysphagia post-grad (I have certificate etc - hoping this is enough!!).

I have experience of working with adults with learning Disabilities, mental health issues as well as neurological conditions.

 

Myself & my fiance are getting married in July this year, we are then beginning our extended honeymoon in August, travelling through sri lanka, india, nepal, SE Asia before getting to Oz in probably around April/May 2016 - so roughly this time next year.

I was hoping that while in Australia I could do some SLT work. I was wondering about the MRA, I'm worried that if I apply now before I go, then it will be invalid by the time i want to work in Oz. So I dont know when id best to apply but think it will be hard to do once i am not in the UK?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, the RCSLT are really lacking in terms of the advice/info they are able to provide!!!

 

Hello Abigail,

 

It looks as if your travel plans are very similar to mine, We are heading off in Feb/March 2016 Sri Lanka, asia etc. and hope to be in Oz in around June/July of 2016 to do some travelling and hopefully working. It would be great to find out about anything you know abour MRA and working over there. I've done my bits of reading and know about applying for eligibility etc. But I too worry about when to start my applications etc.

 

Are you thinking of doing locum/short term contacr work whilst you are over there?

 

Be great to get in touch and share ideas.

 

Grace

[Guest Unregistered]

Hi,

 

I've had a look at some of your messages, and it seems you are all in the process of applying! I am right at the beginning of everything - just qualified and in first post (first 3 months in of a 12 month contract). I am about to start applying to go over in Jan '17 and am wondering which order you applied in ie. SPA membership or EOI first? I'm a bit confused, as the EOI asks for a skills assessment, but the SPA membership asks for which visa!

 

I think I have just about the required level of dysphagia skills - has anyone gone over as an NQP? I think the NT could sponsor me also after my first year has completed, however can I apply for this before I have completed this year?

 

I have worked and lived in Oz before as a teacher, and now desperate to return as a new speechie!

 

I would be grateful for any advice.

 

Thank you!

 

Louise

[Guest Stepho7]

Hi!

 

I am a SLT in England, I have already had a working holiday visa for Oz (when I was early 20's) but would love to emigrate.

Any help with information on what visa/cost/best way to look into it would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Thank you

 

X

[bedganoz]

Hi everyone,

I have just discovered this thread after looking everywhere for information! 

I'm in Australia on a working holiday visa and was hoping to start applying for SLT jobs straight away. Unfortunately, I don't have any post graduate dysphagia training. I completed my NQT competencies just before I arrived here after working for 18 months (pre-school caseload) thinking that would be enough... but sadly, no.

I am getting ready to apply to the university of auckland dysphagia course, which would mean I'm eligible for membership in both oz and nz. It's not cheap ($4500 for international students) so I'm wondering if anyone out there has ever completed it?

I agree with everyone else so far. The SPA's advice has been vague and inconsistent. 

Has anyone worked in temporary/locum roles on a working holiday visa? I assumed that they would need eligibility for this.

Thanks in advance

 

[VERYSTORMY]

3 hours ago, bedganoz said:

Hi everyone,

I have just discovered this thread after looking everywhere for information! 

I'm in Australia on a working holiday visa and was hoping to start applying for SLT jobs straight away. Unfortunately, I don't have any post graduate dysphagia training. I completed my NQT competencies just before I arrived here after working for 18 months (pre-school caseload) thinking that would be enough... but sadly, no.

I am getting ready to apply to the university of auckland dysphagia course, which would mean I'm eligible for membership in both oz and nz. It's not cheap ($4500 for international students) so I'm wondering if anyone out there has ever completed it?

I agree with everyone else so far. The SPA's advice has been vague and inconsistent. 

Has anyone worked in temporary/locum roles on a working holiday visa? I assumed that they would need eligibility for this.

Thanks in advance

 

First, have you checked if you can do this course on a working holiday visa as there are restrictions. Second, given the investment, I am assuming you are hoping to stay beyond. Have you checked your eligibility for a visa beyond. 

[hannahstacia]

Hello all,

I have just got my eligibility through for SPA and here to help with this daunting process. I thought I was now a member but you need to prove you are eligible to apply first- money making scheme I feel.

Firstly, it is really not that bad I promise! I was almost going to pay for the Auckland University course but, avoided it and I am so glad I saved my self all that money- I can't believe the cost of that course. I understand we are international students but seriously that is such a rip off.

I completed an online course for £60 (to get the certificate you need to pay) here is the link https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/dysphagia

I also did a few case studies after buying the https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dysphagia-Placement-Workbook-Naomi-Cocks/dp/1907826068

I am sure I found it on eBay or something much cheaper so do hunt!

I attended a conference and shadowed a dysphagia specialist in the NHS for 3 days to prove my dysphagia competency.

Look into any journal clubs/ CEN groups linking to dysphagia. I would also create a reading list/ reflection of articles read.

 I have heard they provide a study pack for a few hundred dollars if you don't quite meet the specifications.

 

I had so much trouble researching what to give them but, every case is different and individual I think that is why they don't give a blanket this is what you need minimum they simply look over what you have provided and decide if it meets their minimum standards.

What visa are you hoping to go on? I am on a working holiday but, I will be doing the skilled migration visa when I am out there if SLP is still on the desired list (it is due to be reviewed in July). Daunted by the Visa process now. So anyone who has been through it please talk me through!

 

Best of luck everyone!!!

[bedganoz]

20 hours ago, VERYSTORMY said:

First, have you checked if you can do this course on a working holiday visa as there are restrictions. Second, given the investment, I am assuming you are hoping to stay beyond. Have you checked your eligibility for a visa beyond. 

Good point. I can study for a maximum of 4 months on my WHV, so the uni of Auckland course fits that requirement. However, after reading Hannahstacia's post I'm certainly going to explore other options first.

Thanks Hannah, your post was so helpful! I hope you don't mind a few follow up questions?

- Are you living in Australia at the moment?
- Did you complete the extra course, shadowing etc while you were in the UK? Approximately how long did the whole process take?
- Did the SPA give you advice on what you needed?

I'm hoping to go on the 457 skilled visa, although I'm aware I might be living in dream land after all the recent restrictions :(. Here's hoping speech pathologist remains on the list. If I can't stay in Australia, I might apply for a working holiday in New Zealand. Nothing to do with SLT, I just want to keep travelling

 

[Irishborn]

Hi all to the recent posters! Just thought my experience might help. I am now a permanent resident but the whole process was very tedious and difficult to find info on!

basically I first submitted my qualifications to SPA to have them assessment for the MRA. They then said my dysphagia experimence want enough (I worked in less after grad so had no post grad exp). I then found it very difficult to find out exactly what was required by me to meet their criteria for this! I called them and they weren't very helpful on the phone. In the end I found the dysphagia online self study package they have and I emailed the lady who had assessed my qualifications. I asked her if I completed this package successfully would she deem that sufficient and she said yes therefore this is what I did. It still cost me a bit but was a lot cheaper than a whole course! Once I submitted this is was only a week or so before she got back to me again. Then yes u do then have to apply for membership but that's easy. I would advise getting membership as all private practices require it here. And government jobs are very difficult to get unless you're willing to work rurally. 

Once this was done I came over on a working hol visa. I initially worked as a locum rurally for 3 months. I did the interview for this over Skype. I then got sponsorship in Sydney and recently applied indoependantlt through the skills migration list for PR. this came through last year. 

Speech pathology is still on the skills migration list so no need to worry there (not sure why but it is!). https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Work/Skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/skilled-occupations-lists/removed-skilled-occupations

if anyone has any more specific questions feel free to email me! Carroll.aimee@gmail.com. 

Good luck!

Aimee 

[hannahstacia]

Hi there,

Can I ask why you are going for the 457 skilled visa and how much dollar is it?

Answering your questions:

I will be moving at the end of July and have only applied so far for the working holiday visa.

I will be putting in my Expression Of Interest (EOI) as soon as I get there as I want to sort out my 189 or 190 skilled visa.

I did do everything in the UK and it took me approximately 8 months, but that is because I am full time working and had no rush to sort it. I think you could do the e-learning course (6 weeks), self study/case examples using the workbook I recommended, attend journal clubs/CEN/SIG, shadow a local therapist (I advise contacting loads though) in about 2 months. The main thing they want to see is that If you came across a dysphagia case you know what to do, I included stuff from placement such as bedside examinations, a reference list of definitions e.g. FEES=xxxxx, you may have friends in dysphagia in the UK that may be able to help too so contact them and ask if they have anything useful.

Contact SPA they did help guide me as to what I needed to do to get eligibility, I also got a letter of good standing sent from RCSLT- good_standing_letter1113.pdf

You will need to do this as part of your application. I think you should contact SPA as they do have study resources you can purchase I heard which you may be able to use to make you eligible and it is a hell of a lot cheaper than the Auckland dysphagia course.

Please get in touch with any more questions, more than happy to help. It is a daunting process!

 

[bedganoz]

18 hours ago, hannahstacia said:

Hi there,

Can I ask why you are going for the 457 skilled visa and how much dollar is it?

Answering your questions:

I will be moving at the end of July and have only applied so far for the working holiday visa.

I will be putting in my Expression Of Interest (EOI) as soon as I get there as I want to sort out my 189 or 190 skilled visa.

I did do everything in the UK and it took me approximately 8 months, but that is because I am full time working and had no rush to sort it. I think you could do the e-learning course (6 weeks), self study/case examples using the workbook I recommended, attend journal clubs/CEN/SIG, shadow a local therapist (I advise contacting loads though) in about 2 months. The main thing they want to see is that If you came across a dysphagia case you know what to do, I included stuff from placement such as bedside examinations, a reference list of definitions e.g. FEES=xxxxx, you may have friends in dysphagia in the UK that may be able to help too so contact them and ask if they have anything useful.

Contact SPA they did help guide me as to what I needed to do to get eligibility, I also got a letter of good standing sent from RCSLT- good_standing_letter1113.pdf

You will need to do this as part of your application. I think you should contact SPA as they do have study resources you can purchase I heard which you may be able to use to make you eligible and it is a hell of a lot cheaper than the Auckland dysphagia course.

Please get in touch with any more questions, more than happy to help. It is a daunting process!

 

Thank you for your email Aimee, congrats on becoming a permanent resident. I'm from Ireland too. I will be in touch with more queries if/when I have any!

I was aiming for the 457 visa but you've actually made me realise that the 189/190 may be the way to go. I have some friends and family here, and they are on the 457 visa. It allows you to stay in Australia temporarily through an employer. I'm not sure about the prices but if you go on the gov.au website, they have a calculator that lets you know how much it will cost. 

July, that's exciting! I came out in February and have chosen to stay in Melbourne, after seeing a few different parts of the country. My email is h.morgan7224@gmail.com if you want to keep in touch when you're here.

I'm just starting to look at the whole process now and decide what dysphagia evidence I need to gather up, so I will check back in with you all when I have questions.

[hannahstacia]

Yes please do get back in touch and ask any information my email is hannahstacia@hotmail.com

Happy to help in any way I can!

Can I ask have you tried to get any work related to Speech and Language like teaching assistant etc...

I heard you need specific qualifications but I was thinking of doing something like this out there.

 

[bedganoz]

Great, thanks for the help!

I have looked into therapy assistant roles here. In Australia, they work under the umbrella term Allied Health assistant and ask for specific certificates in Allied health. I actually applied for a role supporting Physio and OTs but was rejected pretty much straight away (I think due to experience and lack of AH certificates). I would keep an eye out for any allied health roles that specifically work with SLTs and try applying!

I would definitely apply for teaching assistant or support work roles while you're out here. Personally, I have worked in care/support work for quite a while before getting my first SLT job, and I'm a little burnt out, so I'm not looking for that kind of job here. I've signed up with a recruitment agency and am just looking for admin/office/customer service work, while I'm figuring out this SPA thing.