New national registration in Australia

[Sinhol]

Hi,
Under the new national registration scheme does anybody know if you can still apply under the trans tasman mutual agreement with having a current APC in New Zealand. Its all very unclear on the new website. I have emailed regarding this but have not managed to get a reply as of yet. I was advised to hold off until July 1st to register as it means you can work in any state. I do know you can still register with the western australia board under the TTMR as they have not signed on with the national agreement. But then again, I may be confined to that state without ability to apply to another state that was previously possible.

Thanks for any help.

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[gcoe]

Hi Sinohl

I was in the same shoes last week. Yes it is very unclear how it will work so I applied before June 30 to old reg board in NSW for reinstatement (had previously been registered) under the TTMR. I decided to this just in case there were any problems.

You now have to apply through the new National board. However when I was enquiring the NSW board said the TTMR would still apply with the new board. And from the NZ perspective I asked both the NZ physio board and the NZSP if there has been any indication that Australia was dropping the TTMR. They said they had not had had any discussions of this and as this would be a major change in direction, and would ruffle a lot of feathers if Australia violated the agreement it seems highly unlikely.

The new board doesn't seem to be very sorted - very unclear of what it is doing at this late stage. I would therefore get directly in contact with the Aust Physio Board and get them to clarify what you need to do

[Sinhol]

Hi gcoe,

Thanks for your reply. Yeah i have emailed the australia physio board. It seems that only option on their website now is to apply for registration as an overseas qualified physiotherapist and then they will assess if you need to do exams etc. I will await their reply on the matter but it appears very expensive to go this route and alot of paperwork required again! So if this is the case i think I will register with WA ( which i can get all sorted in 2 wks) and then when WA are to join the national agreement in Oct hopefully then I will just be transferred onto this!
I have contacted a few agencies in australia who again are unclear with new registration policies!
According to the new guidelines if you are registered in any state in Oz ( excluding WA) before July 1st you automatically are transferred onto national registration. Hopefully the Nz APC will allow a transfer similar to this!

I will let you know what i hear!

[gcoe]

Yes it is a bit of enigma isn't it. Let us know how you get on. As I said it may be good news with the TTMR probably still in place - if so this shouldn't be expensive or lengthy. And as Australia has a national shortage of physios it seems unlikely they would make this overly bureaucratic - but anything is possible, particularly when it comes to agenicies of the federal govt.

[maxwell]

The consensus of opinion regarding UK physios by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Who will be assessing whether you can practice in Australia. Be wary
Quote
" The Health Workforce Principle Committee must take note of international evidence that demonstrates the deleterious effect of workforce policy lowering standards of education and practice and the consequent impediments to workforce mobility, due to lack of broad clinical competence of graduates"
This is substantiated by a sweeping statement
Quote
"Based on the numbers and performance of graduates from England in the Australian Physiotherapy Council examinations in the period 2006-2008.
In 2006 10 graduates completed the clinical exams and all passed.
In 2007 18 graduates from England completed the clinical exams and 13 passed, and as at 31 august 2008, 25 grads from England have completed the clinical exams and 9 have passed.
Based on comments from the candidates and anecdotal information from England, the change in numbers and performance of English physiotherapy graduates appear to reflect outcomes from workforce strategy in England.
1. There is a shortage of jobs in England for recent graduates, so they are moving to Australia and
2. The standard of competence of the graduates has decreased markedly because they are being trained to work in specific areas in the NHS rather than in depth and breadth of physiotherapy practice required to practice in Australia"
Margaret Grant Australian Physiotherapy Council, Chief Executive Officer (2008) Submission to Health Workforce Principal Committee
Available at
http://www.ahwo.gov.au/documents/Nat...ssociation.pdf
I have never come across such unreliable evidence to support the above argument; research must not be a strong point for the APC
Just another organization of gatekeepers

[gcoe]

Just had a reply from the NSW Reg Board with good news

"Under the new AHPRA regulation, if you are fully registered in New Zealand, you are eligible for the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition (TTMR). The forms and guidelines for this process are now available on the AHPRA website under Physiotherapy"

[Sinhol]

Thank You gcoe! Thats great news!

[james_physio_365]

Hi guys, great news we can still use the TTMR to get registered. Just looking at the paperwork and cant anyone tell what the application and registration fees are?

Also what documents do we need to get the 100 points for identity?

Many thanks, James.

[Sinhol]

Hi James,
I rang the registration national board to clarify some things about the form. They were unsure initially with regards the 100 point identification if you were not a citizen of Australia!But they recommended a certified copy of passport (=70 points). She advised me to put in a photocopy ( certified) of my NHS ID badge with my name and picture and a credit card or letter from bank ( statement etc) with my name and address on it. The fees are 190 for application plus 190 for annual renewal registration. I queried also about where to apply for endorsement (ie acupuncture). They were unsure re this and I was advised a new form may be put on the website at some stage!But at this stage I think I will apply without endorsement and worry about that at a later date!

Hope that helps!

[Sinhol]

Hi,
The website has now put up information regarding proof of identity and certifying of documents. Unfortunately it now seems documents outside of Australia can only be certifed by Australian Embassy. Also advice I was given on proof of identity is incorrect. We need to supply a certified passport and visa in our application.We will only be then told if we are eligible for registration. Once we arrive in Australia we then have to go to an office of AHPRA in person with supporting passport and visa and date of entry to country wtih evidence of current residential address. It is only then that you can obtain registration!
All a bit frustrating that information keeps changing!

[gcoe]

Welcome to the Australian Federal Government :-)

[james_physio_365]

So how are people going to apply for visas and what type of visa in particular? I was under th impression that we needed to get reg'd first, then a job offer and then the visa will go hand in hand...im a little bit gutted by the news we have to include the visa documents with our application!
What are people planning on doing?
Thanks for the earlier tips.

James

[james_physio_365]

Has anyone had any more joy in the way of the registration process?

[mattiazambaldi]

sorry but I can't unserstand why you guys from UK are applying for APC reg under the TTMR? Can you explain please? just a bit of curiosity...

I looked few weeks ago how to get my degree recognised in Oz but it seems to be quite difficult, two written and one practical exams, and it isn't so cheap either. Was looking because I'd like to experience abroad and also because here in Italy salaries are damn low and year after year it is getting harder and harder to find a permanent job under the national health system.
I remember I checked if there was any way to get an automatic registration after getting a master degree in Oz, but there wasn't. The only way seems to be going through the APC process.
Do any of you know if something about this has changed with the new national board?

thanks

[gcoe]

I presume they are talking about using the TTMR because they have already obtained registration in NZ. If you have obtained registration and an Annual Practicing Cert you are then it is realtviely painless to obtain registration in Australia

However the registration process in NZ for overseas graduates is exacting and I don't think you would find it easier than going directly through the Australian vetting process.

[chrisphysio]

I've just been reading the comments (which are all great) and sorry if I come across as being a bit stupid but I'm a UK physio who just got registered in NZ last week (August) with a plan of using it to get to Australia on the TTMR (I'm still awaiting my NZ APC but should get it soon). I'm trying to get my head around what's required to get to OZ as I understand things have changed since 1st July so could I just clear a few things as I see it and people can advise me if I'm right or not:

1) Has AHPRA replaced the APC or do I have to apply to both now? If it's just AHPRA then I take it it's the application form marked 'Application for Trans Tasman Mutual recognition' (6 pages)

2) I've heard from others that it was always difficult for physios with NZ reg & APC to get to Western Australia because they're not on the TTMR. But I'm lead to believe from the AHPRA website that this will happen in the near future. Is this true?

3) Does this whole thing now mean that physios who gain registration to Australia can move from state to state as they like working without having to apply to each state individually (as long as their visa is OK and they tel AHPRA about address changes etc)?

4) Therefore is the entry route into Australia from NZ recognition done this way?:
a) Get NZ APC
b) Apply to AHPRA and/or OZ APC to get registered
c) Apply for work visa

I've looked into the visa and the only one I think I can get is the state sponsored one (176) - need to stay in state for 2 years as I just get to 100 points but the state does add an extra 10.

Please can somebody shed some light on these points

Regards
Chris

[gcoe]

Hi Chrisphysio

I can't answer all your questions but I can comment on these:

2) I've heard from others that it was always difficult for physios with NZ reg & APC to get to Western Australia because they're not on the TTMR. But I'm lead to believe from the AHPRA website that this will happen in the near future. Is this true?

No Western Australia does recognise the Trans Tasman agreement and there are no issues that I know of for NZ registered physios. What they haven't done is come to the table yet with the new Physiotherapy Board of Australia. However they will in the near future and there are details on the website of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.

3) Does this whole thing now mean that physios who gain registration to Australia can move from state to state as they like working without having to apply to each state individually (as long as their visa is OK and they tel AHPRA about address changes etc)?

Yes that is right - that is one of the big pluses of the new national board. You will be registered nationally so can work anywhere. However I don't know what that means for your immigration/visa status so perhaps someone else can chip in.

4) Therefore is the entry route into Australia from NZ recognition done this way?:
a) Get NZ APC
b) Apply to AHPRA and/or OZ APC to get registered
c) Apply for work visa

Yes you need to be registered and Get a current NZ APC. then you just need to present a certified copy of the APC along with the statutory declaration that you haven't breached any legal conditions of being fit to practice, evidence of your indemity or excemption etc and pay the fee. In theory this should be easy - in practice - it is still just getting up and running so some patience may be required.

However prospective physios who haven't yet applied to NZ for registration need to be aware that they are signing a legal declaration that they intend to practice in NZ. Have a look at this on their website:

This is a legal process - aimed at protecting the public of New Zealand. The Board will only accept applications from physiotherapists who clearly indicate within their application an intention to practise physiotherapy in New Zealand.

That is on this page:

The Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand > Registration - Overseas Qualified Physiotherapists

SO... here is a personal opinion and warning from someone within NZ: Overseas physios who abuse this intent clause will do their colleagues no service. The Board IS concerned about the resources going into assessing fitness to practice in NZ on physios who have no intent of practicing in NZ and simply skip on to greener pastures in OZ. It will take very little to tighten up this "loophole" and this will just create yet another barrier to free movement - something none of us want. As things are in NZ with few jobs available and the perception that at least English graduates with only a three year degree don't quite make the grade, NZ could turn around and make things much more difficult for physios coming from the UK - because we don't need them. So for those physios who have no intention to practice in NZ and merely want access to working in Oz, do the right thing and apply directly to Australia.

[grace01]

hiii
I looked few weeks ago how to get my degree recognised in Oz but it seems to be quite difficult, two written and one practical exams, and it isn't so cheap either. Was looking because I'd like to experience abroad and also because here in Italy salaries are damn low and year after year it is getting harder and harder to find a permanent job under the national health system.

_____________________
Additional Comment I forgot:
hiii
I looked few weeks ago how to get my degree recognised in Oz but it seems to be quite difficult, two written and one practical exams, and it isn't so cheap either. Was looking because I'd like to experience abroad and also because here in Italy salaries are damn low and year after year it is getting harder and harder to find a permanent job under the national health system.
Additional Comment I forgot:
hiii
I looked few weeks ago how to get my degree recognised in Oz but it seems to be quite difficult, two written and one practical exams, and it isn't so cheap either. Was looking because I'd like to experience abroad and also because here in Italy salaries are damn low and year after year it is getting harder and harder to find a permanent job under the national health system.

[veronix]

Hi all,

I was at a meeting with the CEO of APC before my exams and she said the TTMR is a government scheme so it is not on APC to lift it/change it.

[seba2010]

The operation of the TTMRA is supported by a range of institutional arrangements, most importantly the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Ministerial Councils and the Senior Officials’ process that supports these. New Zealand participates in the Ministerial Councils with full membership and voting rights when TTMRA issues arise. As such, the Ministerial Councils have an important role in driving the development of regulatory outcomes that support mutual recognition and harmonisation of regulatory regimes.

The TTMRA provides for a general review of its operation to be carried out every five years after it came into effect. The first review was undertaken by the Australian Productivity Commission. Overall, the Commission found that the TTMRA is working well, contributing significantly to increased trans-Tasman mobility of goods and labour.

The Cross-Jurisdictional Review (CJR) Forum, which consists of Australian Federal, State and New Zealand senior officials was tasked to consider the Productivity Commission’s findings and prepare a final report to the Governments. All heads of government endorsed the CJR Forum’s report in September 2005. The CJR Forum is now implementing recommendations arising from the review, which aim to improve the operation of the TTMRA and ensure that it remains an effective cornerstone of a Single Economic Market. These recommendations include:

The development of an information/education campaign to remind regulators and the respective policy machineries of the strategic objectives and obligations of the TTMA. This is scheduled for later in 2006.
The development of explicit mechanisms to ensure that the TTMRA integration objectives are factored in at an early stage of policy and regulatory design on both sides of the Tasman.
In June 2004, the COAG agreed to amend its Principles and Guidelines for National Standards Setting and Regulatory Action by Ministerial Councils and National Standards Setting Bodies to include consideration of the TTMRA and the MRA principles and objectives. New Zealand is also currently reviewing its Guide to Preparing Regulatory Impact Standards with the intention of making similar changes.
A protocol was agreed between the Australian Government’s Office of Regulatory Review and its New Zealand counterpart that requires consultation on regulatory impact statements for proposals that may have trans-Tasman implications with a view to resolving any issues at an early stage of the policy development process and facilitating regulatory coordination where appropriate.
The establishment of the CJR Forum under new terms of reference to implement the review recommendations as well as to act as a “ginger group” to consider and promote discussion on the next phase of regulatory integration issues.
A stream-lined approach to the annual roll-over of the Special Exemptions, whereby the reporting requirements associated with Cooperation reports would be simplified.

[Laura01]

gcoe- do you mean an exemption from PII if you do not yet have a post? how else would you be exempt? if your employer was covering you in their policy?
thanks
laura

[gcoe]

Laura01

I don't understand your questions. Either you are being too cryptic or I don't have the answer re: exemptions. Are you talking about Australian reg or NZ reg?

[Claire55555]

Hi guys
Just wondering if anyone has had any luck on the TTMR after having arrived in Oz yet?
I've got my annual practicing certificate from NZ and am flying to Sydney in 2 days where it seems Im going to have to go to the AHPRA office with my passport and visa (which is electronic and on my passport so assume this will be ok? and proof of address when I have found somewhere) to be able to transfer my reistration across. has anyone done all this yet- how long does it take?
thanks

[Sinhol]

Hi Claire55555

I got my regsitration in Australia once i arrived here. It seems to be different in every state you go to unfortunatley tho as a few of my friends had different requirments in different states. I didnt have to go into the office with a passport as I could meet all the identification evidence required.. They were happy for me to put my home address ( not in oz) on the form. So then i just sent certified copies of my passport, my driving licence ( with my address on it!), A bank statement copy and a copy of my HPC registration. I also sent my certified copy of my APC from NZ and got the stat declaration signed by solicitor that certified my documents. I still did have to go into the officeOonce i got to oz as it still hadnt come through for some reason 4 wks later ( I was told it would only take a day or 2 once they had the info)!- Once I got there in person it happened pretty quick- I also sent my form directly to the board in the state i was going to work in rather than head office in melbourne which speeded things up too.
Hope that helps!I do know of other physios who have had loads of delays with waiting on criminal checks on their new address in oz once they got here.

[chrisphysio]

For those still living outside of Oz and who are applying for a 1st time licence with AHPRA using their NZ APC and filling out form 'Application for Trans Tasman mutual recognistion' (ATMR-08), has anyone found a willing agency so that their address can be put in for question 6?

If so please let me know so I can contact them

Chris