For Hong Kong nurses looking to obtain a visa to work in Australia, there are several key requirements and steps to be aware of:
Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA): To work as a nurse or midwife in Australia, it is crucial to apply for and be registered with the NMBA. This process is separate from applying for a visa and should be completed first. It’s important not to make irreversible decisions like moving to Australia until NMBA registration is approved.
Visa Options: There are various visa options available for nurses wanting to work in Australia:
Regional 494 Visas: This is a 5-year visa with a provisional pathway to permanent residence.
Skilled Independent 189, 190, and 491 Visas: These are for non-employer sponsored Permanent Residence.
Permanent Residence 186 and 187 Visas: These visas are for retaining global talent for work in your business.
Subclass 190 Visa: This is a permanent visa that requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government. Requirements include receiving an invitation, scoring a minimum of 65 on the Points Test, being under 50 years old, passing health and character tests, and having a good command of English.
Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa: This visa allows nurses to work in Australia for up to 5 years, depending on the stream and country of passport. It requires nomination by an eligible employer, a minimum of two years of nursing experience, English proficiency, and meeting health and character requirements.
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa: This visa allows nurses to live, study, and work in designated regional areas in Australia for five years and provides a pathway to permanent residency after three years
Eligibility Criteria for Registration:
Professional Experience: Nurses must have worked in their field within the past five years and provide professional references.
Education Standards: NMBA recognizes nursing qualifications from select countries. Nurses from other countries may need to undergo further assessment or a bridging course.
English Language Proficiency: Nurses must demonstrate proficiency in English through tests like IELTS, TOEFL iBT, OET for Nurses, or PTE Academic.
Fitness Requirements: Nurses must have a clean disciplinary record, no mental or physical conditions that impair practice, and no criminal history.
It’s important for nurses from Hong Kong to carefully review and meet these requirements to ensure a successful application for both registration with NMBA and the Australian visa.
