Information For International Nurses

Working in Melbourne

Nursing in Melbourne offers a vast variety of opportunities for travelling nurses or those interested in either extended or permanent placement. Every conceivable nursing speciality is available in a range of public, private and community based health care organisations.

The working conditions in the health care facilities is of a high standard. Newly established patient-nurse ratios of 4:1 will be adopted in public hospitals in the near future allowing nurses to take time necessary to provide quality care.

Many of the major hospitals and aged care facilities in Melbourne have adopted a "no lift policy" to reduce risk of injury to nursing staff who are constantly required to move and reposition patients. The purchase of lifting devices and aids along with assistance of orderlies to move heavy patients and the provision of education programs for nursing staff in the use of this equipment is aimed at reducing the high rate of back injury among nurses.

Immigration

Information about immigration requirements, work visas and the forms for completion can be accessed from the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs website at www.immi.gov.au/allforms/migrate.htm

Nurse Registration process in Australia and Victoria

Australian Nursing Council

The Australian Nursing Council Inc. is the national nursing body and acts as a central assessor for overseas nurses intending to work in Australia.

The application form can be found on their website www.anci.org.au. Completion of this form and payment of the $500.00 application fee is required for processing of the application to commence.

This site also contains the Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, and Competancy Standards expected of Nurses working in Australia.

Address:
 PO Box 873
 Dickson ACT 2602
 Australia
Telephone: +61 (2) 6257 7960
Fax: +61 (2) 6257 7955

Nurses Board of Victoria

Following this, overseas applicants are required to complete an application for registration in Victoria, either by attending in person or by completing the required documents and returing them by mail. To obtain these forms you must currently contact the Board at the following address.

Address:
 Chief Executive
 Level 7, 607 Bourke Street
 Melbourne, 3000
 Australia
Telephone: +61 (3) 9613 0333
Fax: +61 (3) 9269 2409

Arriving in Melbourne

The team at Melbourne Nursing Agency will meet you at the airport and can assist in finding short-term accommodation, helping with getting bank accounts, Medicare and other necessities organised.

Melbourne Nursing Agency can provide a broad range of work in Melbourne's leading public and private hospitals.