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WORK IN AUSTRALIA 

AS AN 

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST!

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STEPS TO WORK IN AUSTRALIA WITH HEALTHCARE ABROAD

1

ELGIBILITY

CHECK VISAS/JOB ROLES - SEND US AN EMAIL TO REQUEST MORE INFO + BOOK IN FOR A CALL FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

2

REGISTRATION

LET US KNOW WHAT ROLE/VISA YOU ARE INTERESTED IN, WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH GUIDES AND SUPPORT YOU THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS

3

SUBMIT CV

ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTRATION, SEND THROUGH YOUR CV + BOOK IN FOR A CALL ON THE WEBSITE TO EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS WITH THE TEAM

4

INTERVIEW

WE HAVE LOTS OF FANTASTIC PARTNERSHIPS AND WILL ORGANISE INTERVIEWS WITHIN APPROX 1-3 WEEKS OF GAINING REGISTRATION

5

VISA

APPLY FOR YOUR VISA, HAND IN YOUR NOTICE, MAKE PLANS TO COME OUT, WE WILL PROVIDE SET UP GUIDES + INTRODUCE YOU TO OTHERS

POPULAR LOCATIONS AVAILABLE

JOB ROLES

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 DISABILITY/NDIS

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  • Work in a wide range of settings with patients across the disability spectrum

  • Mainly community roles with therapy hubs/offices/clinics

  • The caseload can be working under a general capacity or some roles can be tailored to your interests e..g
    Mental Health, Paeds, Adults, Home Mods, Assistive Technology

  • Holistic assessments + therapy programs/interventions to help patients achieve their functional/social goals

  • Driving license required

  • Suggested experienced - 1-2 years+, confident new grads also welcome 

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PRIVATE CLINICS - NEURO/PAEDS

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  • Working primarily in well established private clinics and/or community settings

  • Small supportive MDT environments

  • Suggested experience; 

    • Paeds: 1-2 years+ paediatric experience preferred

    • Neuro: 3 years+ neuro experience required/senior neuro staff only, driving license required

  • Driving license preferred

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WORKPLACE/VOC REHAB

  • ​Work across a variety of settings managing a caseload of workplace rehab clients, coordinating their safe/timely return to work

  • Attend medical appointments, conduct assessments and liaise between healthcare liaise between healthcare practitioners/employers/insurers

  • Workplace injury prevention - manual handling/ergonomic assessments

  • Hybrid (mixed) VOC Rehab and NDIS/Disability can also be available
    Suggested experienced - 1-2 years+, confident new grads also welcome 

  • Driving license required

FAQS

WHAT ARE THE POPULAR VISA OPTIONS?
  • The Working Holiday/Work and Holiday Visa is a popular initial visa option for certain age groups/passport holders. This visa allows you to work for 12 months and costs AUD $485 (plus proof of AUD $5000 in savings). It is then very common to change to a more long-term visa once in Australia e.g. sponsorship/skilled 

  • From July 2024, UK passport holders are eligible for x3 WHV's without needing to complete specified/farm work

  • If you are not eligible for the Working Holiday Visa, want to stay for more than 12 months, or looking to migrate with your family, there are opportunities to gain a sponsorship/482 visa from an employer. Sponsorship requires you to have 2 years of OT experience and we can introduce you to our partners who can offer this. The fees are: $2690 (adult) and $675 (child). This visa has a pathway to permanent residency after 3 years (if you are under 45).

  • If you want to gain permanent residency/PR straight away which is not employer supported, you can look at applying for your own PR Visa (189/190/491)

HOW DO I GET REGISTERED? 
  • The application is paperwork based - there are no exams but all overseas trained OT's have to work under supervision for the first 6 months 

  • You will be able to talk to a UK healthcare professional who has been in your situation and will help you throughout the registration process - including free guides and unlimited phone/email support

  • NZ registered OT's can transfer their registration to Australia through a straightforward online application 

HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST AND DO I HAVE TO PAY HEALTHCARE ABROAD?
  • The main fees you need to be aware of are for your Visa (above) and transferring your transferring your OT license which is $1920-$2432 depending on the registration route 

  • We will secure you a full-time role for when you arrive, the salaries for OT's are usually between AUD $70-95k

  • The service we provide is completely free for those that would like to be placed in a role with one of our partners

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I START THE PROCESS?
  • OTC/Australian pathway - allow for 6 months in total - stage 1 (allow for minimum 2 months), we can then start the interview process and next steps of registration which takes 3-4 months

  • NZ pathway:

    • Abridged/express registration - allow for 3.5 months

      • Standard - allow for 5 months 

      • Once this is approved, we find 3-4 months is an ideal timeframe of the next steps - securing a role/visa/,handing in your notice etc.

HOW DO I INTERVIEW AND SECURE A ROLE?
  • We are very well connected to employers throughout Australia - once you have gained your registration (and ideally maximum 3/4 months before your planned start date), we will arrange interviews for you.

  • We have fantastic opportunities available and you can expect us to arrange suitable interviews for you within around 1-3 weeks after gaining your registration. 

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME IF YEAR TO INTERVIEW/START WORK?
  • If possible, try to have your registration approved and be interviewing in the Australian Winter (May/June/July/August) as this is when the most jobs are available

  • The start of Spring (September) can be a nice time to arrive in Australia as it can be easier to find accommodation, the weather is getting warmer and you can interview in the Australian winter months for these roles

  • If you want the best pick for roles/accommodation, arriving in the winter is even better 

  • November/December/January/February can get very competitive for accommodation and job roles as the local new graduates also start work at this time of year 

CAN I GO TO AUSTRALIA AS A NEW GRADUATE?
  • Yes, we have roles available for confident new graduates however, we feel it is better to gain 1-2 years experience before you leave to make the transition easier

  • The most roles for are in NDIS or VOC rehab so it also depends when you feel ready to work in these roles

  • If you want to work in NDIS experience in paeds, mental health, assistive technology/home mods and general community is very beneficial

  • If you wan to work in Paeds/Private Practise - gaining experience in paeds is very beneficial 

WHAT LOCATIONS DO YOU HAVE AVAILABLE?
  • The most popular places are Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne/Perth/Newcastle but we have positions available throughout Australia!

  • Those requiring visa sponsorship may need need to be flexible with locations 

HOW WILL I GET SET UP/ WHAT ABOUT ACCOMMODATION?
  •  Once you have secured a role we can introduce you to other OT/PT/SLT's that are working in the same location and advise you on everything you need to know about moving to Australia, we are also always available before you leave/ when you arrive if you have any questions about the move

WHY AUSTRALIA?
  • Occupational therapy is very well respected and there are lots of opportunities to really progress in your career 

  • There are endless amounts of weekend trips/activities to do - waterfalls, rainforests, beaches, diving/snorkeling, surfing, wineries, vibrant cities

  • QUALITY OF LIFE! Generous salaries and good weather give you a fantastic quality of life

WHY HEALTHCARE ABROAD?

We offer unbeatable support from the first day you contact us and then throughout the whole process to work abroad, including:

  • Supporting you throughout the registration/license process including free guides and unlimited email/phone support

  • Helping you decide on the most suitable visa, job role, and location by a friendly team you can trust

  • Organizing you interviews with our partners, helping you secure a role before you leave

  • Providing you with everything you need to know about moving to your new country

  • Introducing you to other Healthcare Abroad OT/PT/SLTs that are working in the same location as you

  • Continue to be a point of contact for any questions while you are away

START YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE TODAY!

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