I’d never understood the importance of choosing a profession until I arrived in Oz, and then wanted to stay. (Apparently the ability to bullshit a lot doesn’t always get you sponsorship.) So if you like Australia, and are in a “needed” field, there’s no excuse not to get cracking and secure a future in the sun.
Especially if your profession is nursing, as there are truck loads of jobs available. “There are so many nursing and disability care jobs available that any backpackers with experience and/or qualifications can get work immediately,” Julie Jones general manager at Global Advantage Nursing Agency tells us.
The great thing about being wanted is that it can make life very flexible. As a nurse in Australia, you don’t have to sign up to a full time position.
“Working with an agency can be very flexible so you can get the most from your working holiday and still earn a good wage.”
There are jobs for nurses in mental health, disability, drug and alcohol, forensic health, private health and the midwife sector. But what do employers look for?
“Agencies will be searching for reliable people who have good references. Nurses must be registered with the nurses registration board and care workers must have a current first aid certificate,“ says Julie.
A nurse who is working full time can make $1,500 per week. Another great advantage that runs alongside the wage is the chance of securing sponsorship.
“We have a lot of experience helping overseas professional gain visas and are happy to sponsor suitable nursing and disability care professionals,” says Julie.
How about staying for ever? “After working for a while we’re happy to support our sponsored employees gain permanent resident status”
So my teachers did have a point when they told us to choose a profession then.
