Allied health practitioners, nurses, healthcare professionals and who want to work in Australia can apply for visas to visit and work, and must meet requirements for their registration and the competence assessment.
Working as a Allied health practitioner in Australia enables you to broaden your professional horizons in one of the world’s best healthcare systems.
Allied Health opportunities in Australia
Overseas Allied Health professionals who aspire to work in Australia are presented with a diverse array of opportunities. They can choose from various options, including permanent, temporary, or locum positions, in both rural and metropolitan regions. For detailed information regarding visas, please refer to the section below.
There are over 200,000 Allied Health professionals currently employed in a diverse range of jobs across Australia. These professionals include:
- Audiologists
- Dentists
- Dieticians
- Exercise and Sports Scientists
- Hospital and Retail Pharmacists
- Nuclear Medicine
- Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Psychologists
- Podiatrists
- Radiographers
- Radiation Therapists
- Social Workers
- Sonographers
- Speech Pathologists
Australia has a two tier medical system (called Medicare), with two types of employers for most allied health professionals – private and public. Once visa requirements have been fulfilled, Allied Health professionals can then decide whether they would like to work in the public or private health sectors.
There are many providers of health care in Australia, including:
Are Allied Health jobs in high demand in Australia?
In Australia, a multitude of job opportunities await Allied Health professionals. However, certain specialized fields are currently experiencing an exceptionally high demand. These include:
Allied health was the fastest-growing healthcare sector and there are around 200,000 registered allied health professionals in Australia.
Job locations
Australia, being a vast and geographically diverse country, offers countless possibilities for finding Allied Health employment across rural and metropolitan regions. The job prospects in rural and remote areas of Australia vary depending on the profession, as some professionals may find numerous opportunities, while others may find the major cities more suitable for initiating their job search.
Queensland and Victoria present ample job openings in both their respective state capitals, Brisbane and Melbourne, as well as in rural locations. On the other hand, New South Wales, South Australia, and the Northern Territory currently attract Allied Health job seekers primarily to rural and remote areas.
Exciting jobs for Hospital Pharmacists in rural and remote regions
Non-metropolitan hospitals are witnessing an unprecedented demand for Hospital Pharmacists. Have you ever pondered over the prospect of working in a close-knit community, far removed from the hustle and bustle of capital cities, perhaps even across vast stretches of desert? Consider the opportunity to contribute your skills in an outback hospital located within one of Australia’s expansive rural centers. Explore our current job listings and embark on your thrilling journey today.
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of citizenship and where you are professionally licensed.
Skilled visas (State Nominated)
Employer Sponsored Visas:
- Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional visa)
- Subclass 482- TSS Visa (Temporary Skill Shortage visa)
- Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa
- Subclass 408 – Temporary Activity visa
- Subclass 407- Training visa
- Subclass 186 – ENS visa
If you come to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa (SC417) or a Work and Holiday Visa (SC462) you will only be able to engage in temporary work for up to six months with the same employer.
Will I need to register as a professional before working in Australia?
In order to legally practice in most Allied Health professions, it is necessary to undergo registration with the appropriate regulatory body in your specific field. This registration process can be time-consuming, sometimes taking up to 18 months to complete. Therefore, it is advisable to thoroughly research and initiate this process well in advance of your travel to Australia. For detailed guidance on registration procedures, we recommend reaching out to Allied Health Professions Australia. They can provide you with further information and assistance regarding the registration requirements.
Related:
- Outcome Based Assessment (OBA) for Internationally qualified nurses and midwives (IQNM) and PR Pathway
- Health Workforce Certificates and Health Workforce Exemption Certificates
- International Medical Graduates and Registration in Australia
- Medical Practice and Hospital Sponsors Visa Options for Overseas Trained Medical Professionals
Will my qualifications be recognised in Australia?
In order to pursue a career as an Allied Health professional in Australia, it is essential to hold a tertiary-level degree, diploma, or certificate from a recognized educational institution.
Moreover, it is worth emphasizing that qualifications and experience obtained in specific countries and regions, such as the UK, Western Europe, New Zealand, South Africa, and North America, are frequently given preference over others.
When seeking employment in Australia’s healthcare sector, the following attributes are also highly valued:
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- Proficiency in the English language.
- A minimum of one year of professional experience in the field.
- A clean record, devoid of any current or past disciplinary actions or criminal convictions.
Useful links
Industries We Work With
Related:
- Outcome Based Assessment (OBA) for Internationally qualified nurses and midwives (IQNM) and PR Pathway
- Changes to Skills Assessment for Nurses and Midwives
- Registered Nurse Pathway to PR
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Manager
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Researcher
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
- Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
- Registered Nurse (Community Health)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
- Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
- Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
Related:
- Industries We Work With: Health
- Employer Sponsored Visas Comparison for Registered Nurses
- Health Practitioners: Visa Options to Travel and Work in Australia
- Health Workforce Certificates and Health Workforce Exemption Certificates
- International Medical Graduates and Registration in Australia
- Medical Practice and Hospital Sponsors Visa Options for Overseas Trained Medical Professionals