Healthcare workerstop the lists of employees leaving Nigeria in droves; some of their preferred destinations are the UK, Canada, and Australia. While the UK is tightening its immigration policies, Australia is becoming the gold mine for doctors and nurses. This post will explain how to migrate to Australia as a nurse from Nigeria.
A nurse planning to immigrate to Australia must register with the relevant body. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBA) is the regulatory organization in charge of nursing registration in Australia.
Apart from registering with the NMBA, nurses from Nigeria must obtain a visa to be able to live and practice nursing in Australia.
There are different types of Australian visas. They include the skilled independent visa, which is also known as the general migration skill area of subclass 189 or the subclass 190 skilled nominated visa.
How to Relocate as a Nurse from Nigeria to Australia
1. Check Your Eligibility
Typically, the first step on how to migrate to Australia as a nurse from Nigeria is to check if you are eligible to work as a nurse in Australia and also if you qualify for any of the Australian visas.
Although you are a practicing nurse in Nigeria, you must meet certain work and visa conditions. This requires completing all the necessary visa requirements and qualifying to work as a nurse in Australia.
The Australian standards, NMBA will review your documents. If your application has been accepted, you will complete the registration process. Visit the official website of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), to begin your registration.
3. Select The Correct Visa
To live and work in Australia, ensure that you choose the correct visa. Nigerian nurses can apply for a variety of Australian visa types.
Some of the most common visas for Australia include the skilled independent visa (subclass 189), the skilled nominated visa (subclass 190), and the temporary skill shortage visa (subclass 482).
4. Gather The Required Documents
Now that you know the right visa to apply for, the next thing to do is prepare documents for your Australian visa application.
Documents to provide:
The Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) certificate
Academic Transcripts
Work experience
Proof of English language proficiency test results
When you submit your application, the Department of Home Affairs will consider it, and they will respond within the prescribed processing time about the particular category of the visa.
6. Attend The Interview
After completing the visa application, then, you will prepare for the visa interview. This interview is also useful for the Australian immigration authorities to validate the information that you provide and determine whether or not they will reject your application or grant you a visa.
Here are some of the questions that you may be asked during the interview: It focuses on your details, academic achievement, working experience, and the purpose of your migration to Australia.
7. Visa Decision
If your visa is approved, you will get a letter that outlines the conditions of the visa, such as the length of stay, right to work, and any other important information. However, if you are refused a visa, you may be able to appeal against the decision or consider other available visas.
How Much Do Nurses Make In Australia?
Nurse salaries in Australia can vary depending on factors, such as:
Nurse Role:
Note that the RN (Registered nurse) receives higher remuneration than the EN (Enrolled nurse)
In addition, those with advanced degrees, earn more.
Location:
The salary rates can also vary depending on the region; for example, a nurse can earn more in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane than in a regional or rural area.
Sector:
The remuneration policy of nurses may also differ between the public health sector and the private sector.
However, the average annual salaries for nurses in Australia are:
Enrolled Nurse (EN)
AUD 60, 000 and AUD 70,000 per year.
Registered Nurse (RN)
AUD 70,000 and AUD 120,000 year
How to Migrate to Australia as a Nurse from Nigeria: The Processing Time
The steps involved in the visa application or migration of a registered nurse from Nigeria to Australia take about 6–18 months.
Note that the processing times can vary depending on several factors, such as:
The volume of visas being processed
Type of visa
How to migrate to Australia as a nurse from Nigeria: The process for obtaining registration with the AHPRA
The process for obtaining registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a registered nurse from Nigeria involves the following steps:
You will need to show that you meet the English language proficiency requirements such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET).
3. Registration
If you pass the qualification assessment, then you can go ahead and apply for registration with AHPRA. Some of the documents that are likely to be required include identification documents, academic records, and employment records.
4. Assessment
AHPRA reviews the submitted application and may ask for additional documents. If your application is successful, you will then be enrolled as a nurse in Australia and provided with a registration number.
Before one can travel to Australia and become a nurse, the person has to strategize, work hard, and of course have the money to cover all the expenses.
In addition, a nurse from Nigeria intending to work in Australia must study the Australian health care system and apply for the correct visa.
To apply for the Visa, applicants must first check their eligibility. If they qualify, they can proceed and apply at the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) portal.
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