South Australian Frequently Asked Questions
I want to work in South Australia, how do I apply?
A candidate can make their initial inquiry in a number of different ways, Professional Connections processes applications through our:
Website: please go to our Application Form
E-mail: nurses@profco.com, and
Over the Phone:
- From Ireland: (01) 679 2277
- From the UK: 0800 783 2532 (free phone)
- From Finland: (09) 4155 6611
- From Sweden: (08) 673 1490
- From Europe: 358 9 4155 6611
For an initial assessment, the hospital will need a detailed CV.
You should commence the process by registering as a nurse with the Nurses Board of South Australia (NBSA) now. Professional Connections can give you all the required forms as well as information and advice on the registration process.
Am I eligible to register in Australia and apply for a job through ProfCo? The requirements for eligibility for registration and application vary depending on your education and work experience.
Nurses trained in *EU countries* can apply immediately after graduating from University, providing that you have received the nurse or midwife registration from the training country and the course also meets the EU Directive. If you are holding a diploma, you might be asked to provide evidence of post graduation courses you have undertaken to support your registration application. You will also need to have some post graduate experience.
Nurses trained in *non-EU countries* are required to have at least 24 months post-registration work experience from a hospital in the UK or Ireland before applying for employment or registration. Please note, due to recent registration policy changes nurses holding a diploma in nursing or midwifery might be requested to show evidence of post-graduation courses they have undertaken.
* Please note the as a European based agency we can *only* recruit EU trained nurses or nurses with current work experience from the UK or Ireland.
Where is Adelaide?
Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian State of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia, with a population of over 1.1 million. It is situated on the South Coast of Australia on the Eastern edge of the Great Australian Bite. It is 911km west of Sydney, 2,716 km east of Perth and 3,051km South of Darwin.
Which Hospitals are Recruiting?
At the moment the three largest recruiters in the South Australian State are the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the Glenside campus Mental Health Service. More information on each of these is available in the South Australian section of this web page.
Do I need to bring any additional information or documentation to my Interview?
As long as you have your CV, Copies of your passport and (if necessary) your dependants' passports, your application form and details of your references then the interviews will run smoothly. You will discuss all aspects of the interview thoroughly with your Recruitment Co-ordinator before hand.
I'm already registered with Professional Connections and am interested in employment opportunities in South Australia, do I need to fill in any more paperwork?
No. Although a different Australian State the recruitment process we run to South Australia is similar to our other Australian campaigns. The information we require is candidate specific, i.e. as long as we have permission to begin your procedure in South Australia, we already have everything we need. Contact your Recruitment Co-ordinator and start booking your interview times.
Do I need to register as a Nurse in South Australia?
Yes. All nursing staff and midwives must be registered before they begin employment in the South Australian State.
I am registered in New South Wales will that suffice to work in Adelaide?
No, you need to register with the Nurses Board of South Australia (NBSA) to work in Adelaide. However, as you are registered in another Australian state you can transfer your registration relatively easily by mutual recognition.
What kind of Visa should I travel on?
For the campaign to South Australia all of our nurses will travel with a long-stay temporary business visa, commonly known as the 457. The Long-Stay Temporary Business Visa subclass 457 is valid for up to four years and requires your potential employer to sponsor you and (if necessary) your spouse and dependants. Application for the 457 cannot begin until you accept a job offer from a hospital in Australia, the process takes on average eight weeks. There are a number of requirements to be met prior to a hospital applying for your Sponsorship Nomination. After six months the hospital can sponsor you for permanent residency.
Can I change the type of Visa I am working under while I'm in Australia?
Yes. We understand that the recruitment process is complicated and often unpredictable and should personal circumstances or future plans change the option is available to change the type of Visa. It should be noted that under a 457 Visa, you must re-apply for a different type of Visa, rather than "change" the 457, but this process is greatly simplified once you are in Australia.
Can I bring my family on the same visa?
Yes – you can bring your immediate family, i.e., spouse and children under 18 years.
Official Statement from Dept of Immigration: Dependants include children under 18 years of age AND children and or other relatives 18 and over who are wholly or substantially reliant on your financial support for their basic needs. Persons 18 or over must also show that they have been reliant on you for a substantial period and that they are more reliant on you than on any other person or source. A person may also be considered as a dependant if they rely on you for financial support because of a disability.
Can I bring my boyfriend / girlfriend / parents or siblings on the same visa?
Yes – you can bring a partner if you are in a defacto relationship (i.e. co-habiting), this is not an easy process, you need a variety of documents to prove you are in a relationship such as rent books and household bills showing the same address, even if you have children these documents are needed.
Who pays for the visa?
You will be required to pay for the visa and any medical costs associated with it. The hospital will pay for your sponsorship.
Will there be housing for me / my family on arrival?
Most hospitals do not have accommodation but will faciliate arranging accommodation for you
Who pays for the housing?
To get new nurses started the first two months of rent are paid for by the client hospital, allowing each new starter the time to make a detailed accommodation search. If at the end of the two months you haven't found a suitable place or simply prefer living in Hospital accommodation your tenancy will not be terminated, but you will have to start paying the rent.
Do I need Health Insurance?
Not necessarily, once working in Australia you will pay a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which will be taken, out of your pay packet. This gives each resident a basic Hospital Insurance, with Medicare. In most cases, you will pay for medical care then receive a refund of some of the payment. The government provides help with medical expenses through a scheme called Medicare. Medicare delivers free public hospital care. Medicare also helps with the cost of seeing a local doctor or specialist and with paying for medicine and other treatment. You can purchase health insurance to cover costs not refunded by Medicare. Medicare does offer four main types of insurance, which range from basic hospital cover (free of charge) to total coverage (not, free of charge). In addition there are other private health insurers which over more comprehensive packages.
What is the salary?
See our South Australian terms and conditions page.
What is the tax system in Australia?
If I apply now, when could I be in Australia?
The normal processing times are between 3 - 6 months if you are travelling on a 457 visa.
I want to go to Australia ASAP. Is that possible?
In order to work in Australia you must first be registered with the NBSA, and in turn obtain a visa. The lead time depends on the processing capabilities of the NBSA and the Australian immigration Department (DIMIA).
