1. Fil-Aus Nurses Program
Purpose: To educate, equip and empower Filipino Nurses towards their aim of working or migrating to Australia
Prepared by:
Mariano Carlota, RMA (MARN ), Director at Migration AUS-NZ. He has been a Lawyer since 2008, a Solicitor & Barrister of the High Court of Australia & the Supreme Court of NSW. He is also an Attorney at Law at the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

2. Why Australia? Average household income per annum is $120,000
Universal Medicare
Free education and the Government will subsidize University tuition up to Doctoral level. Research based programs are paid for by the Research Training Scheme (RTS)
Family tax benefits and supplements for children
Visa waivers for Australian Passport holders

3. INCOME (Average household income is $120,000 AUD equals 4,440,000 pesos or $712,000 HKD)

4. Medicare
Under Medicare you can be treated as a public patient in a public hospital, at no charge, by a doctor appointed by the hospital. You can choose to be treated as a public patient, even if you are privately insured.
When you visit a doctor outside a hospital, Medicare will reimburse 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for a general practitioner and 85% of the MBS fee for a specialist. If your doctor bills Medicare directly (bulk billing), you will not have to pay anything.
Medicare provides benefits for consultation fees for doctors, including specialists, tests and examinations by doctors needed to treat illnesses, such as x-rays and pathology tests, eye tests performed by optometrists, most surgical and other therapeutic procedures performed by doctors, some surgical procedures performed by approved dentists

5. Education
Free education in the primary to secondary public school systems and the Australian Government will loan College or University tuition up to Doctoral level. Research based programs are paid for by Research Training Scheme (RTS)
For 2017, the HELP limit is $100,879 for most students. For students undertaking medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses the HELP limit is $126,101.
There is no real interest charged on HELP loans. However, your debt will be indexed each year to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index to maintain its real value.

6. Education
You have to start repaying your HELP debt through the taxation system once your repayment income is above the compulsory repayment threshold, even if you are still studying. The compulsory repayment threshold is adjusted each year. The compulsory repayment threshold for the income year is $54,126 and the compulsory repayment threshold for the income year is $54,869.

7. Family Payments
Family tax benefits and supplements for children (ex. if you have four children you may receive benefits of up to $1100 a fortnight (every 2 weeks) – means tested
Rent Allowance
Utilities allowance
Government pays for half the cost of childcare (pre- kindergarten) – not means tested
If low income earner, a Health care card will be issued, free medicals (aside from Medicare), free dentist, discounted medicines, transportation, movies

8. Visa Waivers
In February 2016 holders of an Australian passport can visit more than 169 countries and territories visa- free or with visa on arrival, and Australia is currently ranked 8th in terms of travel freedom
Includes US, Canada, UK, and New Zealand among other countries

9. Recommended pathway to employment in Australia for internationally qualified nurses

10. The IRON (Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses) program
Philippine Nurse Process for Australian Registration (IRON bridging course)
For Philippine Nurses the first step to becoming an Australian Registered Nurse is to apply to the AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency).

11. The IRON (Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses) program
The (form AGOS 40) application takes about 6-8 weeks to process and the most likely outcome of this application will be a referral to an IRON - Initial Registration for Overseas Nurse- Bridging program. For this AHPRA eligibility letter referral, we provide free assistance for the application process with our partner school.

12. The IRON (Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses) program
This course is designed to provide nurses with the knowledge, skills and understanding to practice safely and competently in a variety of health care settings.
On successful completion of this course, graduates will be eligible to apply to NMBA/Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for registration as Registered Nurse. The (form AGBP40) application takes about 3-4 weeks wait for registration.

13. The IRON (Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses) program
The program is for 9 weeks duration (but spaced out to 12 weeks) that comprises:
Theory Classes: 4 weeks and Clinical Placement: 5 weeks
The IRON Program is a 9 week study program, which allows an overseas Registered Nurse to gain nursing Registration in Australia. The course is spaced out however and is usually taken over 12 weeks.
No board exams, and the 3 month course is equivalent to an Australian Nurse qualification which costs around $70,000

14. The IRON (Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses) program

15. The IRON (Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses) program

16. The IRON (Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses) program
Admission Criteria to the IRON bridging course. In order to be eligible to apply, you must have:
An AHPRA Eligibility letter. To get the AHPRA letter, you need to be a Registered Nurse.
IELTS score of 7 individual or OET B in all the four modules, this can be done in two sittings (clubbing option) within 6 months of time (but no scores lower than 6.5 in any component in IELTS). It is recommended that nurses have at least 3 month’s experience before applying to AHPRA but ETEA (a provider we work with) has advised they would take fresh graduates due to the 800 hours put in by Philippine nurses during their coursework.

17. The IRON (Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses) program
Nurse Registration Process and sample timeline with cost
Below is the registration process
• Step 1: Submit an application for general registration as a registered nurse to AHPRA,
• Step 2: Obtain an eligibility letter (decision letter) from AHPRA.
• Step3: Submit an application to the course provider (we work with ETEA and IHNA) with an eligibility letter to enrol in initial registration program for overseas nurses. The cost for the bridging course range from $11000 AUD to $13000 AUD but we can bargain for better prices depending on the number of nurses enrolling in the course per batch.

18. The IRON (Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses) program
• Step 4: Upon successful completion of the program, course completion certificate would be forwarded to AHPRA
• Step 5: You will be registered with AHPRA as a Nurse upon assessing your marks transcript.

19. The IRON program costs and timeline
Sample timeline and cost (AUD):
IELTS preparation, scheduling and results (6 to 8 weeks) - $330 AUD
Application to AHPRA for eligibility to take the IRON bridging course – (6 to 8 weeks) - $520 AUD
Visa application to take the bridging course – (3 to 4 weeks) - $135 (assuming tourist visa is used)
IRON bridging course – (12 weeks) - $11000 to $13000 AUD
Application to NMBA/AHPRA for registration as a Nurse – (3 to 4 weeks) - $300

20. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
Migration and sample processing timelines
Visitor visas (to take the IRON bridging course)
An option to take the IRON bridging course would be to take it while on a tourist visa. Tourist visas range anywhere from 3 to 12 months stay. Depending on Immigration conditions put on the tourist visa, a Nurse may be able to apply onshore for another visa (ex. Sponsored employment visas). From experience, ‘no further stay’ conditions are usually put on first time Australian tourist applicants and may be lax on subsequent visitors. An important factor that will be taken into account in assessing subclass 600 visitor visa applications are assets, as Immigration will look into assets as reasons to return to the home country.
Processing time 3 to 4 weeks. As of now Immigration is processing within a week for Philippine applications but this may change. Cost $135.

21. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
Student visas (to take the IRON bridging course)
Nurses who were taking the IRON course were usually given student subclass 575 visas which did not have ‘no further stay’ conditions on them. This meant that they were able to apply for another visa onshore after the IRON bridging course (ex. Sponsored employment visas).

22. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
With the advent of a new subclass 500 student visa (effective 1 July 2016), which amalgamates all the previous student visas ( ), it is not known if student visas, specifically for the Philippines, will have ‘no further stay’ conditions. These conditions mean that an IRON Nurse student on a 500 visa may or may not be able to extend or apply for another visa onshore. We will get updates from Immigration on the visa conditions they are likely to place on this student visa. Processing time 4 to 6 weeks.
Cost $550, dependent under 18 $135, over 18 $410

23. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
Skilled Independent, Sponsored or Work Placements such as 402, 457, RSMS, ENS visas (after taking the bridging course)
Skilled Independent Permanent residency visas for those eligible, and without a sponsor-employer or state sponsorship (Subclass 189 and 190). It is a points tested visa and depends on age, English exam scores, educational qualifications, work experience. After the IRON course, should this be the pathway chosen for an Australian visa, there needs to be a skills assessment with ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council). If you need points for paid work experience it has to be 3 years at least, per the points system. If no experience it can be with designated occupation ANZSCO code The other employer sponsored streams do not need a further assessment after the IRON course. Processing time 9 to 15 months. ANMAC modified skills assessment $425.
Cost $3600, dependent under 18 $900, over 18 $1800.

25. Case scenario
Johnny went to a university in the Philippines and gained registration there as a nurse with the Professional Regulation Commission when he completed his course.
After working for six months in the Philippines, Johnny found permanent work in the a local hospital and has practiced as a nurse for three years.
Johnny wants a better life and better pay so he joins a support group that caters to Australian migration. He finds out he needs to do the IRON program before he can be an Australian Nurse and practice.

26. Case scenario
To be eligible for permanent migration to Australia, Johnny gets an assessment with NMBA/AHPRA and is recommended to do the IRON program for Australian Nurse registration.
He finishes the course, gets his registration and has his name added to AHPRA’s online Public register. He is eligible for work and sponsorship now so he starts looking for employment.
While looking for employment, he wants to make sure that he gets to his desired destination so he decides to apply for a Skilled Independent visa, even without a sponsor.
He does an assessment and sees he can get the 60 points needed to apply so he applies for a modified skills assessment with ANMAC and gets a positive result for his application.

27. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
457 Visas - Temporary work (skilled)
This visa provides for long-term entry for up to four years for people with business interests or employment in Australia. A 457 (Temporary work-skilled) visa is the one of the most popular Australian visas because it is a pathway to a permanent visa (Employer Nomination Scheme). Processing time 1 week to 3 months.
Cost $1060, dependent under 18 $265, over 18 $1060

28. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
Permanent Skilled Workers (Employment Nominated Visas)
Australian employers can sponsor overseas employees with a permanent visa as long as they are operating a business lawfully and actively. The employer sponsored program aims to allow Australian employers to satisfy the skill shortages by recruiting overseas skilled workers

29. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
The two employer-sponsored visa categories are: (Processing time around 6 months)
• the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186
• the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) subclass 187

30. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
While ENS can assist Australian businesses anywhere in Australia to fill vacancies in their business, RSMS can only be used by employers in regional or low population areas in Australia. Concessional criteria and a wider range of permissible occupations for nomination apply for RSMS applications.
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) allows employers anywhere in Australia to nominate skilled people for permanent visas. There is only one subclass, subclass 186, which can be applied for when the visa applicant is in Australia or overseas.
Cost $3600, dependent under 18 $900, over 18 $1800

31. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
There are 2 usual nomination streams available:
· the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream
· the Direct Entry stream (DE) stream
Different nomination criteria apply, depending on whether the nominee will be applying under the TRT stream, or under the DE stream. TRT stream can be available to those who have held a 457 visa for 2 years in the past 3 years under the nominator. This visa stream is the most favourable one for the visa applicants.

32. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
If you do not have work experience in Australia, you are required to meet the criteria of the Direct Entry stream in most cases. The applicants in the Direct Entry stream are required to be under the age of 50 and have IELTS
6.0 on each band at time of visa application.

33. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) helps Australian employers in regional and low population growth areas to recruit skilled foreign workers to fill permanent vacancies that are unable to be filled from the local labour market. RSMS applications are given highest priority processing pursuant to Direction No 50, issued under section 499 of the Act
Cost $3600, dependent under 18 $900, over 18 $1800

34. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
Traineeship & Research Visa (subclass 402)
Under this visa international nurses are able to complete a structured and supervised workplace based training program in Australia (after registration).
The Paid Traineeship Program allows candidates to enhance and/or add skills to their present fields of expertise or occupations. Applicants are able to gain valuable on the job training in an Australian firm, whilst making a genuine contribution to the workplace organisation.
Cost $380, dependent under 18 $95, over 18 $190

35. Strategies for temporary or permanent migration and timelines
ETEA has a Paid Traineeship Program for newly registered overseas nurses. The training scheme and its location will be solely dependent upon your field of expertise and relevant workplace industry. Processing time around 2 months.
Placement fees charged

36. Employment opportunities
Once registered with AHPRA, graduates can work as a Registered (Division 1) Nurse in a range of health settings in Australia such as: acute care, chronic care, aged care, rehabilitation and mental health. Health care settings include hospitals, aged care facilities, disability services and rehabilitation clinics.
Nursing is a great career for people wanting to work in a broad or specialised environment. Here is a list of job search websites that will help you look for your ideal job:

37. Employment opportunities
As the leading online health care and nursing jobs website in Australia, Health Career is committed to the delivery of quality services for nurses and to being the leading site for nursing jobs. 
Jobs4Nurses enables nurses to search, compare and apply for specialist and general roles from around Australia. This popular site lists a variety of nursing jobs on one easy to use website.
MyCareer aims to provide you with the best jobs from the best employers across Australia, while also delivering you new ways and new technology to make it easier to find the job that’s right for you. 

38. Employment opportunities
•   SEEK is Australia's number one job site with over 150,000 jobs online and visited 14.7 million times each month.  •   Jobbydoo help you to find jobs and job vacancies from all career sites in Australia. 

39. Website: www.migrationausnz.com.au
For continued support, us at or Facebook: or register by PM at
Contact: or mobile:
Address: Level 19, 1 O’Connell Street, Sydney NSW 2000

40. We hope to see you on the other side of the Harbour Bridge