How to start the ball rolling to work in Auz

[raglan86]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if anyone could help me......i qualified from a 3 year degree in sept 09 and since then i have done voluntary physio work which turned into part time paid work on a 4 month contract of msk, hydro and community. I am looking to head out to aus around May time aiming to work for about 8 - 12 months. However as you all know very well is is not that easy just to go over and get a job. From sending countless emails i have gathered that my best option is to try and apply for temporary registration but thats if i can get it. Does anyone know much about this process as i cannot find too much on the net about it? From reading your posts though it may be better for me to try and obtain a NZ registration, what do you think?

Any help would be much appreciated

Many thanks

elise

[gcoe]

Hi Raglan86

If you only have a three year degree getting registration in NZ is quite difficult. As a back way of getting into Australia I don't think you would find it is very easy, particularly with your lack of experience. Our degrees are four year degrees, as in Australia, so when you apply that is the yardstick that you are being compared against.

Have you considered doing a year to upgrade you qualification in Scotland or Ireland? for example here is one at QME where you can do a Msc - 1 year part time or 2 years part time.

Physiotherapy Courses at QMU Edinburgh

I know it is more time and money but you working for no money anyway and at the end of it you would have a much more robust qualification that you can use for entry overseas.

[raglan86]

Hi gcoe,

Thank you so much for your reply, a masters would be a a really good option but i was thinking of doing one later on in my career when i know what area i would like to go into. The reason i wanted to head over to aus for 8months is because im awaiting an operation but due to the donor waiting lists i have been given atleast a years waiting list. I would like to get out of england to gain some more experience but because im not having much luck, maybe i should try and get some physio assistant work, what do you think? The only other thing to do is find a sponsor, do you know much about this?

Thanks again for all your help

elise

[Fyzzio]

Hi elise,
just wanted to support/ confirm gcoe's comments.
To be eligible to apply for NZ registration, you will need at least 12 months of further study or work experience (to make up for the difference in study length). That's the minimum requirement.
In Australia, anyone with a Physio degree can apply. Your application will be assessed and then you might be able to fit the criteria to sit exams - and will be able to get registered in the state in which you apply for this. There is no general "Australian" registration.

The Physio Assistant job sounds like the easy way out, however, these jobs are well sought and would require for you to show a work permit AND a medical certificate. ??? If you are awaiting an operation which requires a donor - well, for NZ you wouldn't get a certificate that confirms good health.

I would also recommend to go on with further study, or work as a research assistant.

Sorry, the news is not at all good.
Good luck!

Regards,
Fyzzio

[raglan86]

Thanks for your advice guys i have had no luck so far, i would really like to head out to oz anyway so i may just book my flights for may time. Physio assistant work would be the next best thing. I am fine to work health wise it is a voluntary operation as i currently cannot see out of one eye but i am fine working with one at the moment although 2 would be an advantage! If i am unable to find either i could always try to get some voluntary/work experience which would keep me in touch with physio and current practice.

Thanks again

Best wishes
elise

[Pico]

Hi, I have passed the assessment from the NZ board, thus have got the registration there and APC. My ultimate aim is to relocate to Oz within this year but I think I will need a work permit or an employer to sponsor me. As it will be a big move for me to a new country far away, I prefer a permanent job or one with longer contract rather than just a locum. I am worried that it's hard to find and switch from job to job if those jobs are just short-termed.

How's the physio job market there? I am willing to work in any state as long as the offer is favourble but which states have more job openings? Shall I look for a job first before I get registration in that state or shall I get registration in my preferred state first. Any suggestions about what I shall do to secure a job there?

Thanks in advance

Hi Elise,

If you are under 30, you will be eligible to apply for the holiday working visa. I don't know the full details. For such visa, I don't know if you are allowed to work full-time; however I don't think you need to pass any exam in Oz or complete any profolio in NZ before you go there. Maybe you can check this option before you head to Oz in May. Good luck.

[raglan86]

Hi Pico yeah i was thinking about that option so fingers crossed it works out! Thankyou for your advice.

Good luck with your move to oz x

[raglan86]

sorry to bother you guys again but i have been searching on our UK physiotherapy website which has a newly qualified forum and found that a girl on there went out travelling to oz and picked up a junior rotation job in one of Melbournes teaching hospitals. I have thought long and hard about this and i think i am going to book my flights to oz and then once im out ther try my hardest to find some physio work.

I would just like to know your thoughts on this?

Thank again for all your advice it has helped me so much! x