Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I travel to Australia to work?
Top 10 Reasons to move to Australia
- Unspoilt Nature
Australia has a large variety of beautiful natural ecosystems. It has golden sandy beaches with clean water, tropical rainforests, arid deserts and snowy mountains. There are over 500 national parks in Australia and 14 world heritage areas. - Multicultural Society
Australia is truly a multicultural society. 43% of Australians were either born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas. Each year Australia celebrates its diversity on Harmony Day (21 March). - Low population density
Australia has the lowest population density of any continent in the world with only 6.4 people per square mile. - Climate
Australia has a temperate climate with mild weather all year round and more than its fair share of sunshine. - Healthcare system
Australia has one of the most efficient healthcare systems in the world. Medicare provides basic health cover for all Australians and there is a private healthcare system as well. - Job opportunities
Australians pride themselves on perfecting a work-life balance. With a strong economy and low unemployment rate (around 5%) Australia is a good place to find a new job. - Laid back lifestyle
Australians have a reputation for being laid back and friendly and what’s more it is actually true. People are much more likely to give you the time of day in Australian cities compared with other cities around the world. There’s also a comparatively low crime rate. - Great place to travel
Australia is such a vast country that you can spend all your holidays exploring it. Domestic travel has it all from rainforests, beaches, to ski-resorts and stunning ancient landscapes. - Great opportunities for study
Australia has an impressive number of study options for international students with more than 1,200 institutions and 22,000 courses to choose from. Australia has the third highest number of international students in the world behind the UK and US even though we have a much smaller population than those countries. - Fresh Air
Australia has one of the lowest air pollution levels in the world.
Is English spoken in hospitals?
English is regarded as the de facto national language of Australia and is spoken by all. Even so, Australia is a linguistically and culturally diverse country with influences from more than 160 spoken languages. Australian English has a unique accent and vocabulary. Collectively, Australians have more than 200 spoken languages. In the 2011 census, 76.8% Australian spoke English at home. Mandarin is the biggest non-English dialect spoken in Australia.
Is accommodation easy to find?
Unlike accommodation in Ireland and the UK, the majority of rental properties in Australia are unfurnished. Rental accommodation varies in price depending on the city & suburb you live in. Sydney & Melbourne are often the most expensive.
Some rental websites are:
Transport in Australia
All of Australia’s major cities & towns have reliable, affordable public bus networks, and there are suburban train lines in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Melbourne also has trams (Adelaide has one!), Sydney and Brisbane have ferries and Sydney has a light-rail line. Taxis operate Australia-wide.
What is the standard work week in Australia?
The standard working week in Australia is 38 hours per week (7.6 hours per day), usually worked Monday to Friday. Work beyond that amount is overtime and attracts a premium. Within the Healthcare system, where professionals work shift work, hours can differ from week to week but average over a rostered period.
What are Nurses paid in Australia?
Nurses in Australia are paid in accordance with State Enterprise Agreements and Awards. Each state has a different agreement. The base salary will be paid in line with qualifications and years’ experience. Penalty rates are also speculated by each award. Click here for an example of pay scales in the state of New South Wales.
How to go about gaining a nursing license in Australia?
All Nurses must register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) if wanting to work in Australia. For further information, please review their website www.ahpra.gov.au
Useful Links
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
www.immi.gov.au
Australian Tax Office
www.ato.gov.au