Question about living in Au and Nursing Jobs?

Question

I am working towards a nursing degree in the US. I am looking to specialize in the NICU, labor and delivery, lactation, and possibly midwifery. I might also be getting my Paramedic certification as well. I am wanting to move my family to Au for a change of pace.

I have several questions:

1) What is the typical salary for a nurse?

2) Where are the highest needs for nurses?

3) What are prices for things like food items, houses, petrol, and the like?

4) Where are some of the best school in Au?

I would also like any information that y'all would like to share with me.

Thanks alot!

Answer 1

Hey,

Being a nurse, will give you near guaranteed entry to Australia. We have a skills shortage on nurses and many companies are sponsoring migration for overseas nurses. I don't know if you've looked into the process but http://www.immi.gov.au will help. You would be eligible for a skilled worker visa.

1. I'm not sure of the exact wage, an AIN (Assistant in Nursing) gets around $15.75 base with penalties for afternoon, weekend and public holidays. A RN can earn up to $30, but with your specialist skills you could be looking at more, its all about finding a place with the demand. But typically nurses earn very poor money.

2. Rurally there is a massive demand for nurses, the government is offering incentives for nurses to move to the outback. If you wish to stay in a city, avoid the capitals as they work alot harder for the same if not lower pay rates. Regional cities such as Wollongong in NSW would suit you and your family, its also a much nicer place to live and raise kids.

3. For a average house your looking at around $300-$400,000 in a regional area like Wollongong (as above). Petrol is getting rediculous, a small Lancer costs around $40 for a tank and a family sedan closer to $70. Bread is between $2 and $4. Average grocery shop should be around $100 a week.

4. Each area has public and private schools, there is no 'best' school. I'm sure whichever area you choose, you will find a decent school.

I mention Wollongong, because thats where I've lived all my life. There are plenty of great cities, all depends upon what you like. Melbourne is good for colder weather and public transport, Adelaide is a very quite city, Brisbane has warm to hot weather all year round, though it more touristy, Sydney is kind of the in-between.  As is Perth but they can experience horrible heat waves. Personally I like living along the coast, but if you don't mind the bush, then consider going outback.

Be sure to look into sponsorship.

If you have any other questions feel free to email me via the link on my profile.

Answer 2

I don't know all your questions exactly - but my Mum and my best friend are both nurses so I have a little insight into the profession.

1.  c**p!  Really - labourers with no qualifications make more.  If you are a registered nurse you may be looking at $20+ an hour - I haven't heard of it being more than $25 though.

2.  Don't know exactly where... but most places are looking for nurses from what I hear.

3.  Approximate prices only... it depends on your requirements and where you live (I live in Bris so these are my average prices)

Food = $80 per person per week

Houses = $300 rent per week.  $500-$600 per week for a basic and small mortgage

Petrol = $1.50/l - we have a new, fuel efficient car and don't use it a whole lot (except for long drives on weekends) and pay probably $70 in fuel every 2-4 weeks.  (We get 800km to a tank)

4.  Schools vary a lot.  There are bad private schools and good private schools - there are good public schools and bad public schools.  From my experience I would chose a low to middle of the range priced private school... the more expensive ones are s****. and violent - and the public schools also have a name for violence and not very smart kids.  Try and find a school where parents and teachers care about the kids - not just send them there as a day care facility.

Answer 3

You'd be employed in about 10 seconds flat...

See the answers for prices.

Below are Queensland's and New South Wales Health sites - should give you what's available now and an idea of wages...

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/  (*)

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/

Other states include (Victoria, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA) and Western Australia (WA)

(*) At the bottom of this page click on Queensland Government (the State Government's page) and you can check out the Education and the schools question...

Check out the immigration site someone else put on for all your visa needs etc.

Answer 4

I can't answer all your questions but I'll do what I can.

I don't know the typical salary for a nurse, but I'm guessing with those qualifications it would be perhaps $70-80K, but I may be way off base.

The highest need for nurses, especially in midwifery, is definately in regional areas - pick a pleasant large rural town or smaller city and you will do very well.

School-wise most are very good, even the public schools. I think the education standard is approx one year ahead in Oz than the US. There are plenty of excellent schools catering for single s*x/co-ed, different religions, large/small, private (fees)or public (free). Narrow it down to an area first before chosing a school - there are too many.

I think you will need two years experience in nursing before being granted a visa, but I'm not sure.

Prices for housing are quite high, especially in the large cities. Food is relatively cheap, petrol more than in the US. Many other things are cheaper though such as health and education.

Australia is very safe, friendly and relaxed. You will love it.