kol

Wonder if someone could point me in the right direction?

Am a 45 yr old nurse with 6 years experience and wondered if there was a pr option visa available at my age or if i'm more likely to get a 457?

Also, is the visa age requirement increasing to 49 soon??

Thanks in advance of any help

Bermudashorts

There are employer sponsored PR visas that you could apply for, but it is a question of finding a willing employer.

Also skilled migration is open to up to 50 year olds, but the trouble is it is hard to pass a points test after age 45.

kol

Thanks for the response.

I've not written the question very well initially, I meant to say does the points test alter to allow points up to the age of 49 as presently post 45 yrs there aren't any. I'm quite happy to sit an IELTS test if it increases my points, so may have to look into that as i've read other threads that indicate this is a possibility.

I would be looking to go to WA so am hoping I may find a sponsor as I understand outside of Perth its considered a regional area?

Many thanks -at least you've given me a little hope to continue

Pollyana

You'll lose out on the age points. While you can get a visa up to 50 you don't get points up to 50.

Have a good read of http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/skillselect/
It isn't impossible for nurses over 45 to get PR, either straight off or with a 457 first, but it is pretty hard to get the points once you hit 45 I'm afraid.

kol

Many thanks for the link Pollyana. In your opinion would you advise me to contact the hospitals directly? Thanks

Pollyana

Probably best. Some health Authorities will sponsor too, if the hospital needs you to go through another body they will tell you. Some agencies may also be able to help, but to be honest with your age as a factor I would advise you to go direct.
The more specialist you are the better - some areas of expertise are sought after while more general skills can be provided easily by those already here. And the more courses and current awareness of skills and developments you can offer the better. Its not as easy to get in now as a nurse as it used to be, but certainly no harm in giving it a go.

(thats all from personal experience, not a professional opinion!!)

There's also a nursing forum on here - have a good read of threads in there about Aus. If you are coming on PR straight away you need a skills assessment. If you come on a 457 you just need to sort out registering with AHPRA at first.

kol

Fab, thank you

I have 2 specialities, renal and cardiac so am hoping that will put me in a more positive position. Thanks once again, lots of reading to do!

Pollyana

Good luck

DML

you could try contacting a recruitment agency - Plexus is one that both myself(as a doctor) and my wife (a nurse) have been using for our 457 visas. Highly recommended. Great team - http://www.plexusrecruitment.com/

leapip

Yeah, I am also with plexus as is another nurse who is 45 and got sponsored through plexus.
Good luck.

leapip

Hi.. I'm also with plexus.. How far in the process are you and your wife?

DML

Hiya - I'm hoping to join the RFDS in July - my process started in Dec 2012 and has been long drawn out (nothing unusual apparently). I have just completed my registration process so now we're onto the visa bit - medicals etc. Wife started later than me - she's just getting everything for APHRA now. Plexus team have been superb throughout for us both- answering every query, supportive at every stage. Nearly there now......

Good luck to you

Dorothy

I'm a nursing student and I've registered with an organisation that promotes rural nursing. One of the perks is that I get to go on a RFDS flight some time in the coming year. I don't know when exactly, but I'm really looking forward to it. (Hoping it's something interesting and not just routine medical transport.)

DML

Cool - good luck with that. I'll be based in Broken Hill NSW :-)