WEBINAR FAQ'S
We've had an amazing start to the year with so many of you logging into our annual webinars with Rosie + Jon!
Check out our FAQ'S from the webinars below.
If you missed the webinars or want more information - we are always happy to go through everything by email/phone: info@healthcare-abroad.com
PT/SLT/OT - FAQ's applicable to all
1. How/when do I need to change my driving licence to AUS/NZ?
The amount of time you can use your overseas licence will depend on your visa type and location.
You can have a look at these links for the process:
NZ - https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/new-residents-and-visitors/converting-to-nz-driver-licence/#:~:text=You%20can%20only%20drive%20using,have%20a%20New%20Zealand%20licence.
Australia(varies between states):
VIC - https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/new-to-victoria
NSW - https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/driver-and-rider-licences/visiting-or-moving-to-nsw/overseas-and-interstate-visitors
QLD - https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/driver-licensing/overseas/driving
WA - https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/visiting-from-overseas.asp
2. Can the 2 years experience required for the sponsorship visa in Australia be in any clinical area of OT/PT/SLT?
Yes, the main criteria is that you have 2 years of experience as a fully qualified OT/PT/SLT
3. What is the equivalent of sponsorship in NZ?
The Accredited Employer Work Visa/AEWV is the most popular work visa in NZ
4. Can I add a partner/children to my visa in AUS/NZ?
Australia - 482/sponsorship visa - you can add a partner (the main criteria is that you live together) and children - $2690 per adult and $695 per child
NZ - AEWV - currently partners can look at a partner for a work visa and children can be added to your AEWV
From April, there are due to be some changes where only those on the green list/paid double median wage can add partners - currently OT is listed on the green list, PT and SLT is not on the green list so partners may need to sort their own AEWV through their work - keep an eye out for online updates in April
We would suggest you use a visa agent if you are looking to bring family - we can recommend someone
5. You mentioned the AUS/NZ winter months is the best time to have your registration approved and be interviewing due to it being less competitive, when is this? May/June/July/August
6. Does it make a difference if I have a BSc or MSc?
Employers are mainly looking at the relevant experience you can bring to the position and that you have gained your AUS/NZ licence, rather than the qualification you have gained
7. Can you place friends/couples in the same area and do you introduce us to others?
Yes, we can accommodate friends/couples and we have done this for lots of others before. Once you have secured a role through us, we will introduce you to others working in the same location as you!
8. Do you have hospital or locum work in Australia?
No, we do not work with hospitals in Australia due to it being difficult on a temporary visa/to gain sponsorship. We also do not provide locum work as we like our healthcare workers to have the security of a full-time role. We do have hospital roles in NZ though!
9. Do you have rotational hospital roles in NZ?
Usually in NZ, the roles with the public hospitals tend to be static (as the rotational roles are more for the junior local staff) but we do sometimes have roles with private companies that can include a mix e.g. community/hospital/outpatients
PROFESSION SPECIFIC
PHYSIO
1. Can I transfer my NZ registration to Australia? YES! The Trans-Tasman agreement allows you to transfer your registration from NZ-AUS and Vice Versa
2. How do I transfer my NZ registration to Australia? We will fully support you with this once your NZ registration is approved. The process only takes 4 weeks and can be completed whilst we are organising your interviews
3. How much experience do I need to work in NZ?
Visa and Registration - there are no experience requirements for NZ express registration or the new Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Suggested experience for job roles:
MSK - 1 year+ experience ideally, at least x1 MSK rotation
Hospital/paeds/neuro - you will need a couple of years of specific experience/ideally working at senior level
4. How much experience do I need to work in AUS?
Registration - no experience requirements
Visa - if you require sponsorship, you will need 2 years experience. If you are eligible for WHV, there are no experience requirements for the visa.
Suggested experience for job roles:
MSK - 1 year+ experience ideally, at least x1 MSK rotation
Community/Disability - 2 years+ (flexible), paeds caseload requires specific paeds experience
Neuro - minimum of 3 years specific experience
5. Does my registration expire?
Australia FLYR stream - once you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate which does not expire
NZ - you need to make sure you update your practising status every April to practising (NZD $555) or non practising (NZD $60)
OT
1. What is the Green list in NZ?
Certain occupations in demand are listed on the Green List - the key benefit is that after 2 years of working in NZ, you can apply for residency "work to residence"
2. What experience is most beneficial to gain for NDIS/Disability roles in Australia?
Experience in Mental Health, Paeds, Home Modifications/Assistive Technology is very beneficial however, we have placed OT's without this specific experience
3. Do I get paid less on supervision in Australia?
It depends on the employer - often employers will pay you the same however, some may pay you slightly less while you are on supervision which is then reviewed at 6 months/once you have gained full registration
4. Does my registration expire?
Australia - Stage 1 desktop assessment is valid for 2 years
NZ - you need to make sure you update your practising status every April to practising (NZD $555) or non practising (NZD $60)
5. How much experience do I need?
Our suggested experience levels for the jobs roles (you may also need to consider experience required for your visa)
Australia
Neuro - 3 years specific neuro experience
Paeds - 1-2 years+ specific paeds experience/minimum 1 paeds rotation
NDIS/VOC - all experience levels welcome but we would suggest you gain at least 1 year experience in your home country. NDIS roles - mental health, paeds, community/home mods rotations would be really beneficial
NZ
Health Boards (paeds/inpatient/mental health/community) - 2 years+
Community (VOC or General) - 2 years+
Neuro (private sector) - 3 years + (From July), 2 years specific Neuro
SLT
1. Do I need to have additional dysphagia competency evidence if I trained in Ireland or the UK?
Ireland trained - not if you graduated after 2011
UK trained - all applicants are required to provide dysphagia competency evidence - the easiest way to do this is to have your dysphagia competencies signed off by another member to level C
2. Uk trained - do my competencies need to be signed off to level C or is a lower level acceptable?
It needs to be level C otherwise, you will need to provide additional evidence
3.UK trained - my work cannot complete the dysphagia competencies with me to level C as we do not cover dysphagia patients at work, what should I do?
You will need to complete an additional course - the most popular course for Australia is https://manchesterpostbasicdysphagiacourse.com/ If you are looking at a different course, you should send the course outline to SPA to see if they think this would be appropriate pssupport@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
The NZ board can provide you with a full list of approved courses.
4. Can I transfer my SLT to AUS/NZ as a new grad?
No - MRA requires you to have gained full membership, QA requires a minimum of 1000 hours or practise
5. Can the 12 months continuous membership include time in NQP category - RCSLT members?
Response from RCSLT - The 12 months continuous membership can include time in the NQP category however the member will need to have completed the NQP framework and transferred to Certified membership before they can apply for the Letter of Good Standing.
6. Can the 12 months continuous membership include time in NQP category - IALST members?
Response from IALST - “A New Graduate must have completed a minimum of one year as a new graduate member and have their competency form signed off and submitted to IASLT.
If approved they can transition to be a Full member of IASLT.
They must hold Full membership of IASLT and have renewed into a second year of membership whilst applying for a LGS.
Only Full members can apply for an LGS after one hear holding Full membership”
7. How much experience do I need?
Our suggested experience levels for the jobs roles (you may also need to consider experience required for your visa)
Australia
Paeds Private Practise - 1-2 years+ specific paeds experience/minimum 1 paeds rotation
NDIS/Disability - all experience levels welcome. Complex communication, Adult Neuro, Dysphagia or Paediatrics experience would be really beneficial
NZ
Health Boards (paeds/inpatient/community) - band 6/ideally senior staff
Neuro (private sector) - 3 years + (From July), 2 years of this should ideally be specific Neuro
Paeds (schools) - 1 year+ paeds suggested/ideally 1 paeds rotation, open to all levels in some locations
8. Can I have an adult only caseload in Australia?
Yes, we have roles where you can have an adult/elderly caseload if you do not work to work in paeds