elainen

Hi, I am looking to move to Oz in January 2016. I'm an occupational therapist and will have a years experience prior to moving there.

I researched registration in Oz and New Zealand. It seems like an easier process with New Zealand and I'm aware you can use that registration in Australia. I was wondering has anyone done this, registered with New Zealand but worked in Australia?

Dorothy

Do you have a visa allowing you to live and work in Australia?

Here's the registration for Australia. Take a read and see what you need to do. Occupational Therapy Board of Australia - Registration

elainen

I have not yet got my visa to live and work there. I'm away to start that process this week also.
I've had a look at the Australia and New Zealand registrations and it appears easier with new Zealand. but could I go straight to Australia with an overseas New Zealand registration?

Dorothy

What does it say in the link I provided?

elainen

It doesn't say if that's possible or if I will need to work in New Zealand first beforehand.

DibDob

Requirements for overseas-trained occupational therapists - Occupational Therapy Australia Ltd

New Zealand Registered Occupational Therapists
The exception to the above requirement is that occupational therapists who are eligible for registration in New Zealand may be automatically eligible to practice in most states of Australia, except WA due to the introduction of the Trans Tasmania Mutual Recognition Agreement.

If for example, you are a British trained occupational therapist who has sat the NZOTRB exam in New Zealand and are registered to practice in New Zealand – you may be eligible to work in Australia.

Hope that helps

elainen

Hi DibDob, thanks for your help.
I am unsure if that means I will have to use a New Zealand registration in New Zealand first or if I could go straight to Australia with that registration.
I am aware that it is difficult to get employers in australia to employ overseas OTs without full AHPRA registration as it requires 6 months supervised practice.
It seems like its going to be a difficult process.

RoisinJ

Hi there,
I'm an OT heading to Oz next month and have just learned of this "simpler" way to register! Is it too good to be true? Have you learned of you need to practice in NZ firstly before you can be registered in Australia also? 😀The APHRA seems very tough!😁

elainen

Hi,
I never found out the answer to be honest. I have now actually decided to go to New Zealand and work for a year or so and then I will transfer my registration over to Oz through AHPRA (hopefully). I am now registered to work in New Zealand and will get my practice certificate once i have a date to move.
It was so much easier to get registered in New Zealand than it would have been in Oz. And once I have completed 6months of work I will be completely registered and can apply to Oz then. 😎
Apologies I couldn't find out the answer but if you do find out would you mind letting me know through this.
Thank you 😬

mreilly

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if anyone went ahead with this and is now practicing either in Aus or NZ?

I'm currently in Aus trying to work the system with no luck and am considering moving to NZ to get registered!

Any help would be really appreciated!

Thanks

elainen

Hi,
So I am currently working in Auckland. Plenty of jobs in the private sector here and from what I have learned there are a good few in mental health as well. It's a little more difficult to get into hospitals with a working holiday visa but it's still do-able.
I currently work for a private company dealing with ACC claims.
If you require any guidance I can try help.
I heard it's quite difficult in Oz just now.

JessicaB90

Hi there can anyone guide me on completing my NZ OT registration? I am really struggling with it and have no one to ask! Hopefully someone is out there

Dorothy

Maybe try the New Zealand forum?

elliemay

I appreciate you posted this a couple of years ago now! I was just wondering if you would be able to clarify something for me...

Im hoping to move over to Australia to work for a year on a working holiday visa next year and the AHPRA route seems incredibly tough!

Im looking into registering in New Zealand then moving over to Oz... am i right in thinking from your message that i would have to complete 6 months practice in New Zealand before i could go to work in Australia?

Im finding it all a bit of a mine field trying to work out how to do this so any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

benedict1843

i have sent you a private message