At AusPath we understand that one of the biggest hurdles for Internationally qualified Nurses to work abroad, apart from the daunting registration processes, is to pay all the fees required for training, exams, registrations, visas and travel etc. That is where AusPath comes in.
AusPath works with specialist Nurse Registered Training Organisations, Recruitment Agencies and Health Services to successfully pass the NCLEX and OSCE exams, gain full time employment, get Visa’s approved with Sponsorships and become registered Nurses with AHPRA in Australia.
The Process:
All Internationally Qualified Nurses & Midwifes (IQNM’s) that want to work in Australia must do a self-check on the Australian Nurses and Midwifery National Board (AHPRA) website. This is called the Outcome Based Assessment (OBA).
When an internationally qualified nurse or midwife (IQNM) completes the Self-check, they will be advised if they are in Stream A, B, or C, or if AHPRA needs to assess their qualification(s) before assigning a stream.
For the IQNM’s to qualify for AusPath sponsorship they need to do the AHPRA Self-check now so we can see what the outcome is. There is no fee to do the Self-check, so they need to do this immediately and notify AusPath of the outcome.
International nurses need to go to the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Board Of Australia website and first do the required Self-check.
This is the Website to gather further information:
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation/IQNM.aspx
The three streams (outcomes) are:
Stream A – IQNMs who hold a qualification considered to be substantially equivalent, or based on similar competencies, to an approved qualification.
Stream B – IQNMs who hold a qualification that is relevant to the profession, but is not substantially equivalent, nor based on similar competencies to an approved qualification.
Stream C – IQNMs who hold a qualification that is not substantially equivalent or relevant to an approved qualification. This means you will have to come to Australia and do upgraded courses prior.
Nurses from countries such as the UK, Canada, Ireland, USA, Hong Kong, New Zealand are generally going to be Stream A Applicants.
Most qualified Nurses from other countries such as the Philippines should be Stream B. If you are advised that your Stream B “qualification is relevant but not substantially equivalent”, then that is good as they can move on to the next steps.
After completing the Self-check, all IQNMs who are advised to proceed in the IQNM assessment process will need to pay a non-refundable assessment fee of $640 AUD to AHPRA to proceed to the OBA assessments.
The OBA is a two-stage assessment process: an online multiple-choice question exam (MCQ) and an objective structured clinical exam. IQNMs must pass the first stage before moving to the next stage.
Stage one is a cognitive assessment, which is a computer based MCQ exam. IQNMs must pass the exam to move to part two of the OBA.
Stage two is a behavioural assessment in the form of an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). The OSCE has been developed to assess that an IQNM demonstrates the knowledge, skills and competence of a graduate level Australian nurse or midwife. This is done in Adelaide, Australia.
You must complete the AHPRA/NMBA IQNM Self-Check Assessment, followed by the Orientation Part 1, followed by providing a portfolio of documents and proof of qualifications and register with us on the AusPath Members Portal. This is where our registered Health Care Service providers can see your CV and provide job offers.
This is followed by an Outcomes Based Assessment (OBA), which is both a Multiple-Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) exam (also known as NCLEX) and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
If that is the case, then the Nurses do the:
- Police check,
- English literacy test,
- Pay the AHPRA assessment fees and do the 2 tests.
- After you pass these two, you will undergo a skills assessment with ANMAC unless applying for 189/190 Permanent Visa.
If they pass all the checks & tests Nurses will be eligible for employment and apply for a Visa. Once the Visa is approved, they can begin working as Nurses.
Work Visa 482
- Employer/Sponsor required for approval
- 4 year visa with unrestricted work rights
- Work rights includes family
- Must be a Registered Nurse in Australia
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-skill-shortage-482
Or
Registered Nurses could apply for Independent Skilled Permanent Visas 189/190
- Eligibility based on a points system awarded on following criteria.
- Age, IELTS 7.0-8.0, Degree, Experience, State sponsorship
Here are the steps and the list of fees & associated expenses to become an International Stream B registered Nurse in Australia. If anyone tries to tell you it costs less than this, then ask them what about all these costs itemised below. There are some training providers that only tell you about the costs of their training and maybe the Visa. They don’t even ensure employment offers and Sponsorships like AusPath do.
Steps:
- APHRA Self-Check
- IQNM Assessment
- Orientation Part 1
- Provide a portfolio of documents and proof of qualifications
- AusPath Employment Offer
- NCLEX Training (Davao, Manila, Cebu) (Stream B Only)
- MCQ Exam (Manila) (Stream B Only)
- Police Check
- Literary Test (Stream B Only)
- NCLEX Online Test (Stream B Only)
- OSCE Training Online (Stream B Only)
- OSCE Test (Adelaide) (Stream B Only)
- ANMAC Skills Assessment
- VISA Lodged/Approved
- Migrate / Start Employment
The Table below shows the breakdown of associated costs for Stream B Applicants. If you are a Stream A Applicant then AHPRA will notify you if you are able to proceed straight to the ANMAC Skills Assessment. That would mean you do not need to do NCLEX & OSCE training, tests or exams so your costs are significantly reduced.
| Self – Check (Free initial assessment & then payment is required upfront by the Nurses to to do the IQNM Assessment and proceed to OBA) | $640 |
| AusPath Onboarding, Employment Offer, Sponsorship & Support | $330 |
| NCLEX Training (Davao, Manila, Cebu) (Stream B) | $500 |
| MCQ / NCLEX Test Fee (Manila) (Stream B) | $526 |
| Police check | $50 |
| Literacy test (Stream B) | $300 |
| OSCE Training (Online and Live Stations Practice) (Stream B) | $3,500 |
| Flights & Accommodation (To Adelaide for OSCE and back. Est) | $1,500 |
| OSCE Exam Fee (Adelaide) (Stream B) | $4,000 |
| ANMAC Full Skills Assessment | $515 |
| Visa Temporary Skills Shortage 482 | $2,770 |
| Flights (To Australia) + Housing bond and 2 weeks accommodation | $1500 |
| Total Funding Required AUD | $16,131 |
| Relocation Fee Rebate (If Applicable.13k Metro, 15k Regional) | $15,000 |
| Net Cost AUD (Estimated for 15k Regional or less 2k if Metro) | $1,131 |
AusPath Member Portal
Nurses upload their full credentials into the AusPath online Member Portal platform & agree to a suitable employment contract that is offered with an Australian Health Service provider through the platforms.
Relocation Support:
Nurses pay the associated fees as identified in the table below and AusPath can get employment offers and sponsorships with approved Health Services prior to June 30th 2023, Nurses can get relocation support when working in Australia. Up to $10,000 for Metropolitan and $13,000 for Regional areas + a $2,000 bonus. So up to $15,000 Aud relocation support is currently on offer. Act fast!
Superannuation Guarantee:
And as an added benefit, international Nurses working in Australia are entitled to receive Superannuation. The minimum superannuation employers must pay for each eligible employee is 9.5% of their ordinary time earnings (OTE). This is called the super guarantee (SG) and is paid at least quarterly into the nominated superfund. Normally Australian workers are not entitled to receive this superannuation until retirement, and not as a lump sum.
However, when an international worker returns home, there is the possibility to receive this payment as a lump sum. That means that on an average income of $100,000 p/a over 4 years, if they return home and do not extend their work visa, they may be entitled to receive their Superannuation as a lump sum, which would be around $38,000 Aud +/- whatever growth the fund received based on this estimate. Or if the Nurses decide to gain Permanent Residency, then they will continue receiving Superannuation from their employment paid into their nominated Superfund to access upon retirement.
(Not financial advice. Check with an Australian financial advisor)
AusPath is also lobbying the Australian Government to provide streamlined Visa applications and further funding solutions for all the Migrant Nurses that register with AusPath in our program. Register with AusPath today to be part of the AusPath Solution. Nurse Candidates – AusPath Solutions
Links to further information:
Self-Check step by step guide: https://youtu.be/HiK9jIuGH6I
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation/IQNM/Before-you-apply.aspx
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list#
If Stream C: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation/Approved-programs-of-study.aspx
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-standards.aspx
https://www.ahpra.gov.au/registration/registration-process/standard-format-for-curriculum-vitae.aspx
NCLEX Practice Exam: NCLEX Practice Exam | NCLEX