Sponsorship in Oz hospital?
 

Hi
I’m an Operating department practitioner (ODP) from the UK, wishing to work in Australia. It seems I am not eligible for permanent residency :( , so I was thinking about applying for sponsorship by a hospital or agency. I was wondering if any of you have taken this route, and what the advantages and disadvantages are. Do I chose to get sponsored by a hospital, or a job agency? How many hours to I have to work a week?

Any feedback would be appreciated
Thanks
alison

Re: Sponsorship in Oz hospital?
 

Have a look at this before considering a sponsored temporary visa:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=266447

Maybe a hospital can sponsor for permanent residence?

And to enlighten us non-medical types, what does an ODP actually do and what's the skill level? Basically if a job is not 'skilled' then the chances of migrating on that basis are poor.

Jeremy

Re: Sponsorship in Oz hospital?
 

An ODP is basically an anaesthetic technician over here. In England we do the same job as anaesthetic nurses, although here I believe it may be slightly different. We assist the anaesthetist around the hospital, mainly in theatres helping anaesthetise people for oprerations, we also attend cardiac arrest/trauma calls etc. I hope this has enlightened you! Not many people have heard of ODP's, but lots of people have had operations - i think everyone just forgets us cuz of the drugs!!

In Australia it seems that they are in short supply, but not on 'the list'. Bit of a bummer really. I think my only option is sponsorship of some sort. Ill find out about a hospital sponsoring me for permanent residence.
Anyway, thanks
alison

Re: Sponsorship in Oz hospital?
 

Hi, i would have thought that most jobs of a medical nature would allow you permanent residency, South australia do state nominations as do Victoria and Queensland, although here only more remote places, i.e not Brisbane or gold coast, ok if you wish to go to Cairns or thereabouts. Western aus dont do state sponsership so you would have to apply to a hospital to sponser you, baring in mind you are tied to 2 years with the state or hospital. You have to have worked minimum 20 hours in your field in the last 12 months to be eligable, we gathered this info at sandown so if anyone wants to contradict me it's not my fault..... good luck , carryon

Re: Sponsorship in Oz hospital?
 

This is probably the most realistic visa option to migrate:
http://www.immi.gov.au/migration/employers/rsms.htm

The four major cities (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth) are excluded but pretty much anywhere else in Australia is ok. That includes Adelaide, Canberra and a host of regional centres.

You're more likely to find the hospital willing to sponsor for permanent residence (and not some kind of temporary visa) if it's outside the major centres.

Jeremy