Living and working in Australia

Introduction
Welcome to this guide that is designed to help overseas health professionals relocate and live and work in Australia. You must obtain Australia recognition of your overseas qualifications, an Australian working visa, and usually an offer of employment by an Australian employer prior to leaving your home country.

Population, Geography, Culture and Government
Australia has 20 million people, 70% of Anglo-Saxon origin, and 30% from Southern Europe, Mediterranean and Asian origins. 80% live in major coastal cities and 90% within 50 km of the coast. Only 10% live in the vast interior. Australia is a modern developed nation and has similarities to the United Kingdom and the United States.

Australia is an island continent. It is the same size as Europe or Northern America. The climate varies from tropical to temperate, and from coastal beaches to arid deserts.

Australia developed from several English colonies to become a federal state in 1901. There is now a federal government with 6 state and 2 territory governments. There are also some very small island territories.

The states are New South Wales (capital Sydney), Queensland (capital Brisbane), Victoria (capital Melbourne), Tasmania (capital Hobart), South Australia (capital Adelaide), Western Australia (capital Perth). The 2 territories are Northern Territory (capital Darwin) and the Australian Capital Territory (capital Canberra).

The federal government is also based in Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. There are 3 levels of government: - federal, state and local. There are shared responsibilities between each level for health. It has somewhat similar laws and governments to the United Kingdom.

Health System
Australia has a modern health system similar to the United Kingdom. Hospital and out of hospital costs are heavily subsidized. All hospitals are controlled by state governments (70%) or private groups (30% - churches or private companies). General practitioners and community health is under state or federal control. All taxpayers pay 1.75% of their salary as an extra tax to the federal government. In turn these funds are given to the various state governments. About 30% of the population also purchases private health insurance to cover private health costs. Overseas workers must purchase private health insurance unless they are covered by reciprocal health care agreements such as with United Kingdom.

Registration and Professional Recognition of Qualifications
Most health professionals in Australia do a 3 year or longer university course. Many do post graduate studies in a sub specialist field. In Australia, most health professionals are required to be "licenced" or "registered" to be able to work in that field in that state or territory. The registration is renewed annually. Registrations can be transferred quickly to other states by a process called "mutual recognition" to allow you to work in another state.

Note that in general Australia and New Zealand recognize each others qualification and registrations can usually be transferred. Our company has a great deal of knowledge and experience in these areas and recommends you contact us prior to applying to any registration board.

Visas
The following visas apply to overseas health professionals who wish to work in Australia. Please contact our office for additional advice.
Temporary Visas

Permanent residency visas. Accommodation
There is a wide selection of accommodation available and occasionally the client organization can provide onsite or assisted accommodation. Our company can assist with booking accommodation. Candidates are advised to use local papers, classified sections in broadsheets, and reputable Real Estate agents in their area such as Ray White: L J Hookers; Century 21 and websites such as
www.domain.com.au
www.myhome.com.au
www.realestate.com.au

Employment
You will need to have a job offer prior to leaving your home country. Please contact our company for advice about employment. The following are exceptions:-
  • New Zealand citizens (but not NZ permanent residents)
  • Working holiday visa holders (417),
  • Independent permanent residents (136).
Health
The following groups have partially subsidised or very limited health cover in Australia:-
  • Permanent residents and citizens have partially subsidised government cover
  • Nationals of New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Netherlands and Malta have very limited reciprocal health cover.
Temporary visa holders, apart from nationals mentioned above, will need to take out private health cover, but should not get tourist health cover. Our company can provide expert advice about your best options.

Dependants Certain visas will allow your dependants to accompany you to Australia. If your dependents accompany you they will be able to work and study in Australia.

Your partner can find work by looking in the local newspapers, www.seek.com.au, or www.mycareer.com.au .

Childcare is available in most areas.

Children can be enrolled in NSW government schools, Catholic schools and also full fee paying schools. Fees and compulsory vaccinations apply.

Prior to departure
You must do the following before leaving your home country:-
  • A current passport with a valid visa stamp
  • Pay for your own airfare
  • Enough funds in Australian dollars to support yourself for a few weeks prior to receiving your first pay (up to $3000 for single, $5000 for a family)
  • Current professional registration in the state or territory you will be working
  • Organise short term accommodation after arriving in Australia
On arrival in Australia
Health Employment provides the following services:-
  • Meet and greet at the airport
  • First nights accommodation
  • Organising essential paperwork on your second day
  • Assist with any other resettlement issues
You will need to organize the following after arrival:-
  • Bank account
  • Tax file number
  • Health Insurance or reciprocal health cover