Hello from Kathleen the Nurse

[KathleenandCraig]

Hi Everyone

 

Quick intro: Kathleen 27yr Nurse and Craig 30yr Marketing Manager

 

We have been thinking of moving to OZ for past 5 years but Kathleen was undertaking a Nursing diploma at University from 2008 to 2011 to become a registered staff nurse in Neurology, so we had to put those ideas on hold. Now Kathleen is 12 months into working as a registered nurse we have decided to try and go for it at last.

 

We have been out only once to Australia to visit Craig's sister who is a midwife in Melbourne on a 4 year visa but is going through the process for PR. Instantly fell in love with the country and culture (though we don't think Melbourne is for us) but kept steady heads (even with all the wine) and accept like every country its not perfect. We have friends in Adelaide who rave about it and we quite like the conversations we have had with Craig's sister who has visited SA several times. We are aiming to come out to Oz May/June time for a reccie and instead of spending all that time in Victoria we aim to spend at least a 1/2 the trip visiting both Adelaide and Perth. The reason for Perth is we want to check WA is not for us before committing to SA. Plan is Manchester>Melbourne>Perth>Adelaide>Melbourne>Manchester, any better offers? We reckon £300 each for the internal flights.

 

We have also contacted some Hospitals for Kathleen to visit in those areas to just have a look round and chat etc, which has been very positive with several of the hospitals inviting her in. We understand the amount of experience Kathleen needs differs at each hospital but the agents we have spoke to so far are all saying 12 months for SA - Anyone know if thats true? Also if there are any nurses out there any advice? Wages seem better than the UK. Craig works in Marketing so we are more worried about jobs for him in all honesty.

 

The agents are pushing for us to start the process but we still are not 100% clear what the process is. At the moment we see it as English Test>Skills Assessment>AHPRA registration>VISA>jobs>move - Again open to further advice.

 

Also we are unsure of the positive/negatives of going PR straight away or trying to do what Craig's sister did Temp>PR. I am sure you know about it but there is a down under show in Birmingham later this month we hope to go to for more information etc.

 

We already have quotes for bringing our 2 cocker spaniels out too which though $$$ it is a done deal - if we move then we all move. We have no idea about where we want to live but from our friend (and reading this forum) there is a few places where a lot of Brits head to when they first make the move.

 

Anyway that enough for now as we are sure will be asking more than a few questions on the forums over the coming months.

 

Thanks for reading

[Scousemouse]

Hi, welcom to PIA:

We came out 3 1/2 years ago on a sponsored (457) visa, and changed over to PR about 9 months later!

 

SA is always looking for good nurses, and her skills would be welcomed here, her experience in such a specialist field would be of an advantage; however, as an RN, she may find such specific work a bit challenging, a few nurses get sponsorship from hospitals who utilise them in AED, or Theatre, even when they worked on medical wards!! Hopefully, if she applies direct rather than through an agency...........she will get lucky!!

 

keep an eye on the Advertiser website, careerone website and the SA Health websites..........

 

In my experience, a sponsored visa can get you here very quickly, within 6 months; a pr application can be a lot longer..........there are advantages to both, but remember that to change over from sponsorship to PR will cost you again!!

 

visiting the EXPO is a good call, the variety of information is wide, we got a useful book about Adelaide which helped us decide where to look for housing schools etc.........visit each cities stand and get everything you can from them!!

RESEARCH is the key to a more organised move with few upsets!! the more you see, find out about, the more you can decide upon.

 

Realestate websites have some great information about the suburbs, and will clue you in to the housing markets........both Perth and Adelaide are on the rise, with Adelaide hitting the top 50 most expensive places to live, in the world...........personally, i think its cheaper here than Perth, from info from friends over in Wait Awhile!!!

Good luck with everything

Jane

[elainew]

Hi Kathleen,

just read your post. Very exciting for you. My husband and I are both nurses.

We emigrated to SA in 2003. We have had good times in Adelaide . I was sponsored across then applied for permanent visa,which we received very quickly. I wouldnt recommend doing this as its a very expensive way as you have to pay again for the visa and all that goes with it.

most states take nurses if they have one year or more experience .

Adelaide is a lovely state however we are traveling around Oz at present and Perth is fantastic. We love it and although we are traveling it would be a state I would come back to. Nursing is really good as there is a lot more hospitals. I'm employed with the govt on their casual pool. Nurse West they have been amazing I just love it ! We are heading to Broome next and will be very very sad to leave Perth. I've worked a lot of places and can write a book of information.

this is I only my opinion,I'm sure others will have information . Knowing what I know now we won't be back in Adelaide.

of course it's choice and depends on what you want out of life :-)

all the best with you decision if you want more info don't hesitate to ask .

Cheers Elaine x

[KathleenandCraig]

Thanks Jane and Elaine for the info and welcome.

 

The more we read on PIA regarding nursing jobs the more we are getting ourselves worried - do they exist? We see a lot of people seem to work through the agencies and the work can be ad-hoc where we assumed (maybe wrongly) it would be a case of securing employment (preferably full-time) with the hospital directly, accepting the fact it may be outside of Kathleen's chosen field.

 

We noted you both did the temp then PR route as per my sister also did in VIC. The confusion we have is that my sister's employers in Melbourne (I believe it is the royal woman's hospital) paid the costs of going PR, well she had to pay them up front and then they gave her the money back. She is committed to them for a 2-3 year period and if she leaves before then she has to pay a proportion of the fee back. Speaking to parents who were out with her over the Xmas/New Year period they met a few nurses/midwives who had done that. Is it as common in SA?

 

Elaine - We understand everyone is different but we would love to know what you see as the negatives of Adelaide or maybe where its not as good as other cities. We think it's important to hear both sides because we are going to see them for ourselves once we are there. As we plan to also visit WA in May/June it would be nice to see if we notice differences pros/cons etc.

[Scousemouse]

hi,

in response to your question about changing visas, and employers.............

 

My (former) employers paid for a fair bit of the visa costs, and part of that meant THEY were expected to employ me for a minimum of 2 years, and i SHOULD stay with them for that period.Its a 2 way protection thing, and it works for most people.

however, I had a few issues with my line manager, and when i had specific requests denied, and an aussie colleague, who had a huge family and social network asked for very similar considerations, had her request granted; i complained to her boss.........result......i was taken off my lists, got rubbish rosters, no overtime offered and things degenrated; I lasted 10 months!! the final straw came when a newly qualified nurse was offerred a saturday shift, in front of me and a consultant, who treated me like his personal endoscopy nurse, and had requested me for every list....and when the boss was challanged she used my kids and husband as an excuse!!

 

Of course, DIAC had to review my visa because of the "contractual" element on both sides; they found in my favour, the employers had treated me unfairly, it seems. I will say that this is an unusual event, but for the record, i keep a diary, and had all the evidence, and witnesses i needed to support my claim!!

there is plenty of work for nurses, agency work is as anywhere adhoc, but those i know seem to get enough work to keep it together!!

 

the chosen route for visas was a personal issue for us; we wanted OUT asap, and the 457 was fast......it also gave us the option, if we didnt like it here, to move away or back! We didnt take any relocation allowance either, so we didnt have that noose around us!!

 

hope that helps , a bit; try not to worry, you can over think things, and it colours ones judgemnet about places!!

 

ATB

Jane

[KathleenandCraig]

Thanks Jane once again. Is agency work more favoured than permanent roles with a hospital? Seems from various forums that way. We have been reading about the reallocation packages but aren't really sure what’s involved etc.

 

Have you or anyone else had any experience of using an agent for the migration process? We are playing with the idea but keep seeing the £££ and thinking we should try and do it ourselves. Then we try and look at what we need to do and it seems so much that we are not sure where to even start. At the moment we are looking at the IELTs (we just bought the prep books today) and plan to get that done ASAP. In the meantime Kathleen is going through the ANMC site trying to see what else we need for the assessment (again more £££), then after the assessment it appears to us that we register with AHPRA? Then VISA. Then medicals/CRB checks. Then finished? Seems easy when its put like that but we don't even know if that’s the right order etc. We feel like we are waiting to find a definitive guide on what to do but at the same time feel like we should be doing something now?

[Scousemouse]

hi Kathleen and craig.

 

there seems to be a balance of agency/ casual/ permanent roles; some nurses have 2 separate jobs.......agency and casual poss; i think one of the reasons is because nurses working in non profit organisations can claim tax relief on their earnings.....salary sacrifice, to pay rent, school fees, entertainment, shopping etc...........and earn the extra cash doing agency, and keeping their lifestyle and working options open!

 

You can get on with your application yourself, but tbh, an agent can steer you through the hazards...........some even offer a free consultation first time.

the DIAC website has a guide on application but i think it isnt easy to navigate.

 

Getting on with the registration is a good idea; sadly the cost is unavoidable, all your training schedules have to go through the relevant bodies directly to ensure proper checks etc.....

Once you apply, the forms are sent to the appropriate section, and sit on a desk for months, it seems.

Dont worry about medicals, or police checks just yet.........thats much later in the process.

 

Keep smiling

 

ps, make sure you qualifications are transferable/ recognised here......it will be easier to get work in anything other than nursing!! An agent can advise on this too!! Maybe worth the initial outlay.

J

[KathleenandCraig]

Thanks again for the information.

 

We have also just booked onto a seminar in Manchester on the 29th which will have SA Health there, hopefully we can collect even more info. We have spoken to a couple of agents but its looking like adding an extra £1800 to the process which with all the fees and cost of a reccie/the move and getting the dogs out there......Its so scary!! But its not putting us off and its just means slightly less money to take to OZ with us.

[Guest Jennet]

Thanks again for the information.

 

We have also just booked onto a seminar in Manchester on the 29th which will have SA Health there, hopefully we can collect even more info. We have spoken to a couple of agents but its looking like adding an extra £1800 to the process which with all the fees and cost of a reccie/the move and getting the dogs out there......Its so scary!! But its not putting us off and its just means slightly less money to take to OZ with us.

 

 

Hi who have you got you quote from for your dogs. i am taking my cockerspaniel and i am using Golden Arrow the cheapest and very good with advice, and seem very caring for the owner and the dog. they seem to sort alot of things too they take the dog 3 days before shipping to get them use to the shipping kennel without extra charge, take the dog to the airport, get the vet check, sort the documents, and the import permit and DEFRA export health certificate etc its costing £1800

 

jennet

[KathleenandCraig]

Hi Jennet

 

We have only had a quote from PetairUK for our 2 cockers and they offer 2 levels of service, the gold service was £3800 for both and £2500 for silver.

 

· Airline ticket with BA/Qantas from Heathrow

· Airline surcharges (Handling / Security / War Insurance / Fuel / Airway Bill / Transit Fees)

· Booking of quarantine space (30 days required) with Australian authorities (NB quarantine fees not included as payable in Australia) · Custom made PetAir UK, IATA approved, wooden travel containers with comfortable bedding and watering facility (crate 83*51*60cm based on sizes of 70cm long and 50cm high x 2) · Transhipment permit (as required)

· Export customs entry· Meet at Heathrow airport visit on day of departure, completion of Part B of DEFRA paperwork· Official sealing of the travel container at the airport· Assisted check-in to make sure they are comfortably and safely away

The all-inclusive Gold service also includes:

· Application for DEFRA export health certificates · Application for import licenses from Australian authorities· RNATT declaration completion

· Within 30 days of the flight: pre travel blood samples for Ehrichia, Brucella, Leishmania and Leptospira tests carried out in the comfort of your own home (we come and visit Riley and Cleo to take the blood samples)

 

 

· Required Tick and Tapeworm treatments · Completion of Part A of the DEFRA paperwork including pre travel veterinary health examination · Check-in to make sure they are comfortably and safely away

 

Hope the above helps. Its the thing that worries us the most.

[andy and lindsey]

Hi there

Thought I would add my thoughts to the post - My hubby and I are both nurses and have been here since 2007 on permanent visas (was 136 which I think has now been replaced by the 176??) We applied independantly and didnt use an agent - in all honesty even if you use an agent you will still do all the legwork and find all the info and complete the forms - they will look and say yes thats correct. Skills recognition is the first thing you will need to do - look on the DIAC website and look at the process. It really isn't difficult.

 

I worked agency when I first arrived and in all honesty found it very unsettling (I had 13 years experience as RN and midwife at that point) - different place each shift with different staff and working a completely different system (Private v public). There are subtle differences in terminology too. I ended up getting a permanent part time job in a private hospital to consolidate the learning in one place. Andy my hubby has worked at the same place since we arrived - Private ICU (I think it may be the one where Jane had problems) although he has had a totally different experience and really enjoys his job

 

Will write more later - things to do

Lindsey )

[elainew]

In my opinion apply for permanent visa then you are free agents to go where you want . do your research and go with where you would like to be ,you can always move . Everyone has different opinions for different seasons of their lives. :-) also you don't need to pay agents do it yourself. Sponsorship isn't that much to be given my husband earns that much in two weeks with the agency ,in his hand !! By not doing a lot of days !

Whatever I'm sure you can have a much better quality of life than being in the Uk of course my opinion. :-)

 

Cheers Elaine x

[Guest Jennet]

Hi Jennet

 

We have only had a quote from PetairUK for our 2 cockers and they offer 2 levels of service, the gold service was £3800 for both and £2500 for silver.

 

· Airline ticket with BA/Qantas from Heathrow

· Airline surcharges (Handling / Security / War Insurance / Fuel / Airway Bill / Transit Fees)

· Booking of quarantine space (30 days required) with Australian authorities (NB quarantine fees not included as payable in Australia) · Custom made PetAir UK, IATA approved, wooden travel containers with comfortable bedding and watering facility (crate 83*51*60cm based on sizes of 70cm long and 50cm high x 2) · Transhipment permit (as required)

· Export customs entry· Meet at Heathrow airport visit on day of departure, completion of Part B of DEFRA paperwork· Official sealing of the travel container at the airport· Assisted check-in to make sure they are comfortably and safely away

 

The all-inclusive Gold service also includes:

 

· Application for DEFRA export health certificates · Application for import licenses from Australian authorities· RNATT declaration completion

· Within 30 days of the flight: pre travel blood samples for Ehrichia, Brucella, Leishmania and Leptospira tests carried out in the comfort of your own home (we come and visit Riley and Cleo to take the blood samples)

 

 

· Required Tick and Tapeworm treatments · Completion of Part A of the DEFRA paperwork including pre travel veterinary health examination · Check-in to make sure they are comfortably and safely away

 

Hope the above helps. Its the thing that worries us the most.

 

hi

i got a quote from petair too, they were really friendly i spoke to one of the vets too, but i decided to use Golden arrow they do alot and were cheaper. I have got my cockers rabies vacc done now and she has her blood taken next week. then the rest is down to Golden arrow.

jennet

[Guest Peachie]

Pr defo the way to go if you sponsered you may get stuck somewhere you hate (happened to my friend in Melbourne got stuck with a boss he hated on a ward which was clicky and he got stuck with all lates and weekends until his PR came thu) Hospitals I have visited on my 3 reccies were Perth= royal perth were to big and didn't want to bother with my work preferances, Freemantle and rockingham were very welcoming and would have been very happy to work at either!!! Gold coast hopital helpful and have second site in Robina away from the tourist tat of surfers that would have suited (offered me a job on the spot)

 

townville was nice but hot Adelaide the RAH was ok but the QE was more friendly so thats where I chose to work I have a few friends in the private sector they are mosly happy except in theatres which is a conveyor belt!!

[Scousemouse]

Pr defo the way to go if you sponsered you may get stuck somewhere you hate (happened to my friend in Melbourne got stuck with a boss he hated on a ward which was clicky and he got stuck with all lates and weekends until his PR came thu) Hospitals I have visited on my 3 reccies were Perth= royal perth were to big and didn't want to bother with my work preferances, Freemantle and rockingham were very welcoming and would have been very happy to work at either!!! Gold coast hopital helpful and have second site in Robina away from the tourist tat of surfers that would have suited (offered me a job on the spot)

 

townville was nice but hot Adelaide the RAH was ok but the QE was more friendly so thats where I chose to work I have a few friends in the private sector they are mosly happy except in theatres which is a conveyor belt!!

 

theatres are a conveyor belt in the private sector! totally!!

The thing is most private hospitals will not refuse a request to do proceedures, either in or out of hours; its about the money really!! After the closure of Blackwood, nervous CEO's darent say no. consultant surgeons really do hold the whip hand, and whilst most are reasonable, they all use the "patient choice/convenience" cards.....its the downside of private sector working. However, weekend work is (mostly) rare, and covered by oncall status in smaller units.

[KathleenandCraig]

Wow thanks again. Lots to think about. We will need to make our minds up soon but its a chicken and egg situation. We want to get going with applying etc but we haven't been to SA or WA before. You end up reading forums and googling for hours trying to find more out and in the end we are finding it more disturbing than helpful so are going to stop searching for "what's adelaide like" etc. As a youngish couple 27/30 (well we keep telling ourselves we are young) we keep coming across posts about adelaide being slow/borin/backward etc but then others championing it. The good thing about us is we aren't all night bars/night club people and are happiest eating out at a nice restaurant with friends and family, beach and dogs. Plus we do want to start a family in the not too distant future so Adelaide seems a good place to do that.

 

Getting Craig a job in Marketing will be interesting but he has experience working in Universities/colleges so there seems a few there for him to try. His current company in the UK has offices in Australia everywhere apart from Adelaide which is a shame.

 

Well we hope this weekends trip to Down under live in Birmingham and next weeks talk in Manchester (SA health are there) will get us off the fence and going. IELTS is booked for April but we keep hearing different stories about whether it is needed. Even SA health told us we didn't need it if we could prove 5 years plus learning in English. We think Kathleen will still need the IELTS in any case for the VISA (needs lvl 8 for 20 points I think) so have gone and booked it anyway.

 

Thanks again

[elainew]

I wouldn't pay an agent as they dont do anything,you only have to to a bit of research and fill in the forms properly. I'll do it for you for $1800.

 

Honestly don't waste your money :-)