Skilled Visas for Australia Nurses
To assist nurses in better understanding the skilled visa options available to them and the basic associated requirements, take a look at the ‘Visas for Australia – Nurses’ table.
Visa Options for International Nurses
Nurses and midwives are in high demand in Australia, whether you have high level skills and experience or need to gain additional skills, there is a visa to suit you. There are excellent career opportunities with permanent and temporary work available. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for a visa to work as a nurse or midwife.
Nurses and midwives need to be in good health and of good character to meet visa requirements and work in a hospital or other health care area. To work in Australia, you must be registered by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBA) which is partnered with the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Agency (AHPRA) and is responsible for the registration of registered and enrolled nurses and midwives.
There are a number of visas that may be appropriate for nurses depending on their individual circumstances and whether or not they have an employer who is prepared to sponsor them.
THE ANMF IS THE UNION FOR INTERNATIONAL NURSES IN AUSTRALIA
Whether on temporary or permanent visas, internationally educated nurses and midwives have the same right to basic entitlements, and protections as those educated in Australia.
The Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation is the union for International nurses and midwives. Find out more on the ANMF. You can become a member of the ANMF by contacting the ANMF Branch in your state or territory.
If you require an interpreter please call: 131 450
YOUR PROTECTIONS AT WORK
The protections you are entitled to under Australian law include:
- The right to equal wages and employment conditions as Australian workers
- An employer cannot make deductions from your pay without your agreement
- The right to engage in industrial activities
- The right to be free from unlawful discrimination
- Protection through the Fair Work Act 2009
- Appropriate OH&S safety protection
- Support if you are injured at work
There are also a number of Fair Work Online (FWO) factsheets detailing the protections you are entitled to:
View FWO for international workers | View FWO outline of protections
DISCRIMINATION & HARASSMENT
Australian law protects all workers from discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is unlawful for an employer to take adverse action against you, such as termination, on the grounds of race, colour, sex, sexual preference, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family or carer’s responsibilities, pregnancy, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin.
View further information on discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
YOUR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS – IMMIGRATION FACTS FOR WORKERS
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has produced an information booklet to assist workers from overseas to know their rights and help reduce the incidence of exploitation.
The information booklet entitled 'Your rights and obligations – immigration facts for workers', covers basic protections and entitlements, work rights, visa choices, employer obligations and using a migration agent for overseas workers. The booklet also includes contact details for the department, Fair Work Australia, the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (Office of the MARA) and the Translating and Interpreting Service.
The information booklet has been translated into several languages based on the main nationalities of vulnerable or illegal workers in Australia.
See: Your Rights and Obligations – Immigration Facts for Workers