In recent years, Australia’s migration policy, which prioritises healthcare professionals, has led to a significant influx of healthcare workers from various countries around the world. This trend can be attributed to multiple factors, but common motivations among these professionals include the pursuit of better career opportunities, higher salaries, and an improved work-life balance. This article explores why Australia is an attractive destination for healthcare professionals and briefly outlines the possible migration pathways under the latest Australian migration laws.
Reasons for Migration
Several factors influence the decision to migrate, regardless of the country of origin. For many healthcare workers, issues such as underfunded healthcare systems, longer patient wait times, and lower pay are significant push factors. Australia’s healthcare system is internationally recognised for its high standards and quality.
Additionally, Australia’s healthcare sector offers a contrast with higher average salaries and better working conditions. According to Talent.com, healthcare workers in Australia earn competitive salaries:
- 🩺 General Practitioner (GP): AUD 200,000 – AUD 300,000 compared to GBP 60,000 – GBP 90,000 (approximately AUD 110,000 – AUD 165,000)
- 👩 Registered Nurse (RN): AUD 65,000 – AUD 85,000 compared to GBP 25,000 – GBP 35,000 (approximately AUD 45,000 – AUD 63,000)
- 🥼 Specialist Doctor: AUD 250,000 – AUD 400,000 compared to GBP 80,000 – GBP 120,000 (approximately AUD 146,000 – AUD 220,000)
- 🚑 Allied Health Professional (e.g., physiotherapist, occupational therapist): AUD 70,000 – AUD 95,000 compared to GBP 30,000 – GBP 45,000 (approximately AUD 55,000 – AUD 82,000)
Additionally, Australia is known for offering a superior work-life balance. Surveys, such as one conducted by the UK’s General Medical Council, reveal high levels of burnout among healthcare providers, which is a common issue in many countries. In an interview with ABC News, Dr. Deshmukh, an endocrinologist who migrated to Australia, shared that he found a better lifestyle and work environment in Mackay, Queensland.
“I have an extremely better lifestyle for my family now. The weather is great, and there are always outdoor activities to do with my kids. In the UK, I constantly felt pressured to discharge patients quickly to fill the clinic.”
Due to these advantages, many healthcare providers from various countries view Australia as their top choice for migration, seeking to improve both their professional and personal lives.
🌍 Migration Pathways
There are many opportunities in Australia for people with skills in the healthcare industry.
Permanent Visa Options
For healthcare workers looking to migrate to Australia, there are several permanent visa pathways available, including:
- Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa: Requires a job offer from an Australian employer willing to sponsor the applicant, along with at least three years of relevant work experience and positive skills assessment.
- Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent visa: A points-tested visa that does not require a job offer or state/territory nomination. Applicants need to score at least 65 points and have a positive skills assessment. An invitation is required from the federal government.
- Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated visa: Similar to the 189 visa but requires nomination by an Australian state or territory, providing an additional 5 points towards the applicant’s score.
Temporary Visa Options with a pathway to a permanent visa
For those considering temporary migration, the following visas are available:
- Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa: Allows employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers from overseas. Healthcare professionals under this visa typically do not need a full skills assessment, provided they have provisional registration.
- Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa: A points-tested visa also requires invitation and nomination by an Australian state or territory that allows skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia for up to five years, with the potential to apply for permanent residency later.
🏛️ Government Policies and Initiatives
Australia’s generous policies towards healthcare workers are reflected in various initiatives, from migration policies to regional relocation incentives. The recently released Migration Strategy aims to attract skilled migrants by simplifying the visa application process, recognising international qualifications more efficiently, and providing incentives for healthcare professionals to migrate, particularly to regional areas. For instance, New South Wales offers a $20,000 incentive package for healthcare workers relocating to designated regional areas.
Another example, SA Health offering a $15000 incentive to bring international healthcare workers to South Australia.
Healthcare professionals benefit from available age exemptions under certain conditions. Specifically, if a medical practitioner is nominated and has worked in their occupation within a designated regional area of Australia for at least two years immediately before applying, while holding a subclass 457 or 482 visa, they are eligible for an age exemption. Additionally, the nominated position must be located in a designated regional area of Australia. This provision facilitates the retention of skilled healthcare professionals in regional areas, ensuring continued access to essential medical services.
Agreements such as the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) facilitate the movement of professionals between the two nations, streamlining licensing procedures and recognising professional qualifications. Additionally, reciprocal healthcare agreements allow UK residents to access necessary medical treatment in Australia under similar conditions to locals.
🆔 Recent Changes in AHPRA Proof of Identity Requirements
As of 18 December 2023, there have been updates to the proof of identity requirements for overseas-based applicants. Applicants no longer need to be physically present to prove their identity. Instead, the process involves submitting certified documents online. This change aims to streamline the application process and reduce the need for in-person verification, making it more convenient for international applicants (AHPRA).
For more detailed information, you can visit the AHPRA website on proof of identity requirements (AHPRA).
🌟 Case Studies: Success Stories
Many healthcare professionals have successfully migrated to Australia under various visa categories with the help of Migration Affairs. Here are some examples:
- Registered Nurse (Subclass 482): A nurse from the Philippines, sponsored by an Australian hospital, received the TSS visa and now enjoys a fulfilling career and better quality of life in Melbourne.
- Medical Practitioner (Subclass 189): A doctor from India secured a Skilled Independent visa and moved to Sydney, where he found excellent professional growth opportunities and a supportive community.
- Specialist Doctor (Subclass 186): An Emergency Specialist from Canada sponsored by an Australian hospital under the ENS visa and now practices in WA, benefiting from better pay and work-life balance.
- Specialist Doctor and Researcher (Subclass 858): A leading researcher in medical technology from the US received a Global Talent visa, allowing them to work and innovate in Australia’s cutting-edge healthcare sector.
- Junior Medical Practitioner (Subclass 494): A junior doctor from Sri Lanka received an invitation to move to regional South Australia with his young family allowing them bringing up their young family with better quality of life and education system.
- Specialist Doctor and Entrepreneur (subclass 858): A senior Gynaecologist with many years of clinical and research experience and innovative ideas to improve women health was invited to enjoy a fast-tracked pathway to permanent residency and is now running her clinic and helping many women improving their health.
📋 General Requirements for Healthcare Professionals
- Skills Assessment: Obtain a full skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority, such as the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) or the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
The skills assessment process under different authorities could be complex. For example, there are many different streams of skills assessment under ANMAC.
It is important to note ANMAC skills assessment for registered nurses from countries such as Canada, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States is more streamlined.
Please note that there are approximately 76 healthcare-related occupations listed, each requiring a skills assessment from a designated authority. For detailed information and to identify the assessing authority for your specific occupation, please refer here.
- Registration: To work in Australia in the healthcare system, you must be registered with the relevant medical board. Provisional or full registration may be required depending on the visa type.
- English Proficiency: For healthcare professionals not from exempt countries, passing an English proficiency test is often required to meet the English requirement. The Occupational English Test (OET) is a preferred option as it is designed specifically for healthcare professionals, testing English skills in real-life medical scenarios. OET has versions for 12 different healthcare professions, making it a more relevant and comfortable test for many applicants.
There are many ways for you to prepare for OET test from available free online resources to paid options. You can explore your preparation options here.
- Health and Character Checks: Mandatory health examinations and police certificates.
🧩🛠️ Common Challenges and Solutions
- English Language Requirements: Difficulty in achieving required scores in English proficiency tests.
- Solution: OET provides specialised training and resources to help candidates meet English language requirements.
- Complex Application Process: Navigating complex visa application steps and meeting all requirement specially the skills assessment process.
- Solution: We offer professional advice and assistance to streamline the application process and avoid common pitfalls.
🌐 How Migration Affairs Can Assist
- Detailed Assessment: Provide a comprehensive assessment and outline possible visa pathways.
- Document Preparation: Assist with gathering and organising required paperwork for the entire application process.
- OET Services: Guide in finding support in preparation and meeting OET score requirements.
- Application Support: Offer step-by-step support throughout the visa application process and liaise with DoHA if issues arise.
🇦🇺 Benefits of Migrating to Australia
Healthcare professionals who choose to migrate to Australia can expect:
- High Quality of Life: Access to a high standard of living, excellent healthcare, work-life balance, and a supportive community.
- Career Opportunities: Great job opportunities and professional development in a well-regarded healthcare system.
- high quality and standard of our healthcare system
- Integration Programs: Programs and resources to help international healthcare workers integrate into the Australian healthcare system.
- Professional Development: Access to ongoing training and professional growth opportunities.
🔮 Future Outlook
The demand for healthcare professionals in Australia is expected to grow due to an aging population and expanding healthcare services. If you are a doctor or a nurse and want to live and work in Australia, there is a high demand for your expertise.
Current and future Australian immigration policies aim to attract skilled healthcare professionals, address workforce shortages, and enhance the healthcare system. With incentives for professionals to work in regional areas, additional visa pathways and benefits are becoming available.
Australia’s policies and incentives have made it an attractive destination for healthcare professionals from around the world seeking better career opportunities, higher salaries, and improved work-life balance.
