FAQs
Our FAQs page is here to help answer some common questions that we receive. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, we’re always happy to have a chat.
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FAQS
Disability Support Worker FAQs
If you’re looking for a new adventure or want to diversify your skillset, a Rural and Remote
placement with HCA is a career move with extensive benefits and desirable perks:
- Unique chance to work closely with regional communities
- Support Worker roles of all specialisations and experience levels
- Be in contact through our 24/7 support line
- Ability to easily transfer to different areas
- Free travel to your location, and Free Trans-Tasman travel with placements
- A generous education allowance
- A ‘refer a friend’ promotion capability
- Isolation/Quarantine Support Payments
We provide support worker roles across all Major Australian cities, as well as regional towns, developed rural hibs, farming and mining communities, remote settlements, and Indigenous communities across australia. Get in touch to find out more.
- Support Care Jobs Melbourne
- Support Care Jobs Sydney
- Support Care Jobs Adelaide
- Support Care Jobs Brisbane
- Support Care Jobs Perth
A Support Worker’s salary in Australia depends on the area of specialisation and years of experience.
Personal Support Worker pay rates start at $26 per hour and increase based on knowledge, experience and qualifications.
Disability Support Workers require more specialisation and experience, and as a result, earn a higher hourly rate of $31 or more per hour based on years of service and specialisation.
Community Support Workers earn the highest average rate of $35.51 per hour
Flu Vaccinations FAQs
We have a complete national presence. With over 7,000 Nurses Australia wide, we service every nook and cranny of the country.
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Registered Nurse (RN) will administer the vaccinations. Our nurses are credentialed and highly trained in delivering vaccinations. The NP or RN will also be able to assess the employee’s suitability for vaccination. If an employee is deemed not suitable for vaccination during their appointment, they will be referred to their Medical Practitioner.
HCA Corporate Health holds the licenses to handle and store vaccines.
All our vaccinations are stored in compliance with local legislations and cold chain policy, adhering to the National Vaccine storage guidelines.
Our Nurses are all credentialed and have been trained to deliver these specific vaccinations.
It is a simple and easy process to book flu vaccinations with HCA Corporate Health!
Once you accept our quote, we will set a date and time for the Nurse to be at your workplace. We will provide you with material to advertise flu vaccinations with your employees – including an email, flyer and poster templates. Additionally, we offer a complete employee booking process from start to finish, which is complimentary when booking your vaccinations with us.
A workplace flu vaccination program is an outstanding way to reduce sick leave during the winter flu season. Other benefits include an increase in your office productivity, protection of your business against loss of resources and most importantly the opportunity to show your workers you care about them.
Timesheets FAQ’s
At first, it may seem that electronic timesheets are less secure than paper and increase the risk of incorrect or fraudulent timesheet submission, however this process has been designed with security as a focus. Here are some of the reasons why electronic timesheets are much more secure and decrease the likelihood of incorrect timesheet submissions than the traditional paper method:
- Electronic authorised timesheets can only be submitted if the original booking has been placed in our systems and the applicable staff member has been allocated to the shift. Brand new shifts cannot be submitted electronically via the app.
- When you, as a client, authorise shifts on a staff members phone via signature, this signature is never saved onto the device and is transmitted directly to HCA. Furthermore, HCA staff members cannot retrieve or see this signature imprint ever again, unlike paper:
- Unlike paper timesheets, we can now track the date, time and authorisers name when timesheets are submitted
- If you are a registered eHCA client user, and use your PIN or Password, this is an even more secure method of authorising shifts
- After a shift has been authorised and submitted, a staff member cannot edit the shift details without going through the full authorisation process again.
No, we have built this new system to streamline the traditional paper timesheet method for HCA staff and HCA clients, however you do not have to use this new system. All HCA staff will continue to bring their paper timesheet books with them in the event that different facilities may or may not accept this method of timesheet authorisation. In addition, all HCA staff are required to carry their timesheet books just in case trouble with their phone prevents them from submitting an electronic timesheet.
Yes, it is still a requirement to take your timesheet book to cover for facilities which do not use electronic authorisation, and for those times when trouble with your phone prevents you from using the app.
You can start submitting timesheets via electronic authorisation or by taking a photo of your paper timesheet as soon as you have downloaded and installed the app. You do not need to advise us when you start submitting timesheets electronically.
A full list of FAQs can be accessed via the app once you’ve downloaded, installed it and logged in.
Rural & Remote FAQs
Healthcare Australia’s Travel Nurse division offer placements nationally. Whether you’re looking to work coastal, in the remote outback or a farming community, we have 500+ opportunities in facilities across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania and all of Western Australia! Our experienced Travel Nurse Consultants are here to guide you every step of the way and help match you up to placements that best suits your clinical skills and get you out to your bucket list travel locations.
Visit our Travel Nurse page to uncover some of our facility locations.
Regional Australia encompasses the larger towns, small cities and areas that lie beyond the major capital cities. Some examples include Geraldton WA, Hervey Bay QLD, and Broken Hill NSW. Regional locations are the perfect choice for those of you who are new to R&R placements as they have hospital services with the resources to provide a broad range of healthcare offerings to the community.
A rural area is a geographic location that falls beyond regional towns and cities and are usually much smaller in size. Examples include Margaret River WA, Cleve SA, Alice Springs NT and Mt Isa, QLD. These locations are great first or second placements for candidates who are confident with their clinical skills and happy to work in smaller team environments.
Remote locations in Australia are isolated from larger communities/ towns and are often made up of primarily indigenous populations. Healthcare workers will be based in facilities including small clinics and remote aged care facilities which run on small teams of staff, with minimal infrastructure and accessibility in comparison to cities and regional & rural towns. Only experienced rural & remote healthcare providers are suitable to work in these locations. (The New to Remote Pathway is a great opportunity for those with the goal of working towards a career in remote health)
The first step is to make sure you have registered your interest with us, which you can do so by clicking here.
Once you have successfully completed your interview, and your registration is underway, you will get access to HCA’s exclusive Travel Nurse vacancy list through our eHCA app/ website. Via the app, you can look at all open vacancies across the country, filtering by state, skillset, and available dates. If you see something that you are interested in, you can express your interest with the click of a button.
Additionally, your dedicated Travel Nurse Consultant will be on the hunt for suitable roles for you – so it is important to ensure that you keep them up to date with your availability and location preferences, plus be free to take a call. Some jobs can go within minutes, so we want to be ready to confirm with you that you would like to lodge an application so we can lock in your perfect role quickly.
To initially express interest in joining HCA’s Travel Nurse Team you will need to provide a current resume via the website, so we are able to assess your suitability based on years of experience (minimum 2+ years post graduate), clinical background, and current demand. You can express your interest by clicking here.
If deemed suitable to proceed, we will then get in touch with you to complete a telephone interview, talk about working rural and remote and answer any questions you might have. We will then request two clinical referees to contact whom you have worked with in the past 2 years in a direct supervisory capacity.
At this time, we will provide you with our application pack to complete and request several documents including National Police Check, serology & vaccination records, mandatory competencies, and payroll documents. We will not be able to express interest in any roles until you have provided all requested documentation, completed satisfactorily.
Once you confirm your interest in a role with your consultant, they will ensure that you fit the job criteria and they have everything they need to lodge an application. They will then apply on your behalf and the waiting game begins!
The facility will consider all applicants and select their preferred candidate for the job. Your consultant will advise you whether you have been successful. Some client responses can be within hours, but others can take several days – your consultant will give you an idea of what to expect, but sometimes patience is key!
To give yourself the best chance of securing your chosen role, focus on developing a comprehensive CV that clearly outlines your work history, clinical skills, qualifications, and professional development. References need to be updated annually, so be sure to try and get a new one with each placement. And ensure your competencies & clearances are current to minimize any delays in HCA being able to apply for a role.
Travel Nurse placements vary in length. Some placements can be as little as a few days; however, most placements are usually between 4 weeks and 6 months. Different clients may have a minimum placement length preference which may be a result of their location and hence associated travel costs, in addition to the needs of patient continuity of care.
Congratulations! You are almost on your way!
You will shortly receive your placement agreement and supporting documents by email. The placement agreement will outline the placement dates, location, travel & accommodation information and placement obligations.
You must read, sign, and return the agreement to your consultant ASAP. If for any reason you are unable to complete the placement your consultant should be contacted immediately.
Healthcare Australia will assist in the facilitation of your travel and accommodation. For placements of longer than 6 weeks, your travel will be covered with Australia in full (or capped from overseas) as per our Free National Travel with Travel Nurse promotion. For placements of less than 6 weeks, a capped travel allowance will be provided, and this will vary from placement to placement – your consultant can tell you more.
Most locations have free accommodation provided, or HCA will assist in booking external accommodation (at no cost to you) for the duration of your placement. For those sites that do require nominal rent to be paid (mainly in WA), you will be informed of the cost and a payroll deduction set up for rent costs.
Accommodation may be on site, in nursing quarters or off-site in a house or unit (which may be shared) or in some instances an apartment or hotel – it all depends on the location. Accommodation offered is for the candidate alone and non-negotiable. Any requests outside of the offering from the facility will be at the cost of the candidate.
Meals are generally not included, unless specified otherwise.
You will be required at recruitment to review and confirm acceptance of the HCA Travel Policy which will outline inclusions and exclusions related to travel, accommodation & meals.
Whilst bringing a partner, family members or pets may be possible, it will significantly limit the placements that are available to you. The accommodation provided is generally not suitable/offered for extra people or pets, as often it’s shared with other healthcare professionals. If it is an option for you to source your own accommodation (eg. with a caravan), then this will open you up to more placement options.
Remember, the first thing to do if there is an issue on placement is to report it. Speak with your manager or coordinator right away to get immediate assistance – they are on-site and will be the best first contact to assist and advise you.
Next, during business hours, contact your Consultant by phone in the first instance, and then follow-up with email. Give them as much information as possible so they can assist you with a resolution or action plan.
If it’s after hours you can contact us on 1300 885 728. This number will connect you to the office in your state if they are open, and if not, it will direct you to our afterhours call center in South Australia. Advise the person on the phone:
- Who you are
- Where you are on placement
- Your consultant’s name
- As much detail about the situation as possible.
If they are able to assist you over the phone they will, if not and the matter is determined to be non-urgent, they will pass a message onto your consultant to follow up with you or if urgent, they will be in touch with a Travel Nurse manager to contact you back ASAP.
NDIS FAQs
Healthcare Australia is registered as an NDIS Service Provider with TIS (Translating and Interpreting Service).
Participants get access to multiple translation services under the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) and can access the following interpreting services:
- immediate phone interpreting
- pre-booked phone interpreting
- on-site interpreting
Call TIS National direct on 131 450 and ask to speak to the NDIS on 1800 800 110. Alternatively, click here to learn more.
Healthcare Australia’s Translation and Interpreting Service details:
TIS National client code | C006094 |
Name of organisation | Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd |
Name of team/section | NDIS |
Name of Funded Program | National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) |
HCA Home provides a wide range of home services which includes (but is not limited to):
- Home maintenance
- Cleaning assistance
- Gardening assistance
- Personal care
Talk to a HCA consultant today to understand what services can be provided under your NDIS plan. Our packages are tailored to your individual needs and may include supports and services from other funded goals as required.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been developed to improve choice and create better outcomes for people with a disability. You’ll receive a plan from the NDIA which is based upon goals you’ll set for yourself. Funding is provided, and you’re free to choose from any registered NDIS provider. Any goal which is considered reasonable and fair will be funded by the government. This can include support services to go about your daily life, as well as for goals such as learning to drive, learning to cook or creating independence in the community. You can learn more about the NDIS on the official federal government NDIS website.
Throughout your journey into the NDIS, we’re here to support you and help you understand your options. Our consultants have been working in the NDIS areas since the trials commenced in 2013 and we’ve built up a large amount of experience and knowledge around the NDIS. We can discuss with you some important things to remember such as:
- How to ensure that, as a minimum, you receive all the funding and supports you currently have under old packages
- How to ensure your goals and needs are fully funded
- How to structure your plan and supports
- How to ensure you get the carers that you want to deliver supports
- How to make the most out of your package
- How to develop goals which align with your needs
We want to support your plan from start to finish and make sure you’re really comfortable understanding your options, so we offer a free consult to anyone throughout Australia without any commitment from you.
The NDIS provides ongoing funding for all ‘reasonable and necessary’ disability equipment, care and support services. The National Disability Insurance Act, passed by the Commonwealth Parliament in 2012, sets out guidelines to help decide what can be funded. Generally the supports and services provided to you need to assist you to:
- Achieve your goals
- Become as independent as possible
- Develop skills for day-to-day living
- Participate in the community
- Work and earn money
In practice this means providing support, as and if required, in areas including:
- Mobility
- Communication
- Self-care and self-management
- Social interactions
- Learning
- Capacity for social and economic participation
In thinking about and developing your own individualised NDIS plan, you therefore need to consider all your daily activities and the aids, equipment, training and/or support that would make your life easier, whether currently provided or not.
We can provide Community and Home Services throughout Australia. Depending on how your plan is funded, some HCA Home services may be restricted in certain locations across Australia, however an HCA Home consultant can discuss your options and when such a service will be available to you in your area.
The NDIS operates within a range of eligibility criteria. Eligibility for individual support packages depends on:
- Age: You have to be aged between 0-65 years old (although already enrolled participants, once they turn 65, can choose either to continue with the NDIS or transfer to the aged care support system available to all Australians over 65).
- Disability requirement: you will be assessed based on the impact of your disability on functional capacity to communicate, interact socially, learn, move safely around your home and the built environment and manage your personal care and affairs (banking, bill paying etc.)
- Early intervention requirement: early intervention supports will be available to achieve a benefit that would help mitigate the effects of an impairment, to alleviate or prevent the deterioration of functional capacity, or strengthen informal supports.
More information: My Access Checker – National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Once your individual plan has been drawn up and formally agreed to, you have three choices as to how your plan gets managed from then on:
- Self-management
- Using a plan management service
- Nominating the NDIA to carry out this role.
If you choose to self-manage your own plan’s financial and administrative processes, you are also entitled to request a “plan nominee” to support you with these processes. (The NDIA estimates that up to 20% of participants may select this self-management option.) A participant may request to use a Plan Management Provider, meaning you engage a business/organisation to undertake all financial and administrative processes involved on your behalf. This includes such tasks as paying supplier invoices, developing service agreements with providers, assisting you with the hiring and paying of staff and preparing reports and reconciliations on how NDIS funds are being used. If you choose to nominate the NDIA for this role, the agency will make all the payments necessary to any registered care and/or support providers chosen by the participant. More information: People with disability – National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Contact us by whatever means makes you feel most comfortable. Call 1300 422 111 or email [email protected]. We value your opinion and that’s why we have a dedicated team to respond to any concerns or issues you may have within 48 hours. We respect your privacy and assure your confidentiality.
Getting your NDIA plan approved is a major success, well done! There are 4 steps you need to take next in order to get the services you require.
International FAQs
If you’d like to work and travel as a nurse, Healthcare Australia will make your dream adventure a reality. We have the support of over 14 national offices dedicated to guiding you through the complete process of working and traveling as a nurse in Australia.
Moving to a new country and travelling across different locations is an exciting opportunity, but for some applicants, it can also be overwhelming. To assist with this, our friendly team can guide you in finding suitable travel and accommodation for your needs. We can also connect you with past applicants who are always happy to share their experiences and tips for travelling around new locations.
When to start your AHPRA application depends on your travel plans and your individual circumstances. You should allow plenty of time to gather the necessary documentation and also complete the application form. For Nursing, the average application takes approximately 4-5 months to process and be assessed and approved in principle.
Once your application is approved in principle you will be required to present in person to one of the AHPRA offices in Australia within a certain timeframe to finalise your registration. We often see people misjudging the application timeframes and arriving in Australia without being able to practise. Our international team can guide you through the entire AHPRA application to make sure it perfectly aligns with your travel plans!
If you hold registration in New Zealand, you may be able to apply under the Trans-Tasman agreement rather than applying as an international applicant. The Trans-Tasman process is a much quicker process.
While there is no age limit to work as a nurse in Australia or to apply for AHPRA registration. Different Australian visa’s do have different age limit requirements. Some countries are eligible to apply for a working holiday visa up to the age of 35! Connect with our international team to help understand your visa options better.
There are fees involved with getting yourself ready to work in healthcare in Australia including your AHPRA registration, visa costs, vaccinations and travel costs. Reach out to us today so we can best guide you based on your personal circumstances.
This depends not only on the registration you are applying for but also the visa you are applying for. For Nursing, not everyone is required to sit an English Test for AHPRA. Whether you need to sit an exam is determined by where and how you were educated. You may need it for a visa, but not all visas required an English Language Test. Contact the HCA international teams to see what your circumstances require.
Yes, we have every part of Australia covered! Healthcare Australia is a national agency with 14 offices across Australia and a dedicated Regional, Rural and Remote team. You only need to register with Healthcare Australia once as we can transfer your file and set you up with work wherever you want to go. Our HCA staff can help make sure you satisfy the local state requirements.
Healthcare Australia has helped thousands of nurses travel and work across Australia or find their perfect permanent role. Traveling by yourself can be overwhelming for some nurses but our international team will be with you every step of the way and provide assistance where needed. We can put you in touch with other nurses who have completed their adventure or are in the same stage of their journey as you! Connect with other nurses on our Working Holiday Nurses Facebook group to share tips, seek advice and get real information from other nurses who are walking the same path.
Working in locations beyond the metro areas can open up great nursing career opportunities and be extremely rewarding, allowing you to experience a different side of the Australian culture. You have the chance to truly make a difference by helping to improve the health and lives of Australians living in rural and remote areas. Above all, as a Remote Area Nurse (RAN) you’ll work with very different cultures and experience a unique lifestyle in some of Australia’s most beautiful and iconic places.
Contracts can vary in length from a few weeks to a few months, learn more about Rural and Remote placements with HCA! Contact our international team to learn more about rural and remote placements during your travels!
Registration: http://www.ahpra.gov.au
Taxation Information: http://www.ato.gov.au
Visas and Immigration: http://www.border.gov.au
Australia information: http://www.australia.com/en
Doctor FAQs
HCA Doctors annually fills over 15,000 doctors’ shifts nationally. Our team has over 50 years combined medical recruitment expertise. We have built relationships with most of Australia’s best private and public hospitals and top health care organisations, giving you the flexibility to decide when and where you work – whether it’s in a metro centre like Sydney or Brisbane or a remote community in outback Australia.
When you choose to work with HCA Doctors, our dedicated and experienced recruitment consultants and assistants will help you every step of the way.
We are never far away.
With offices based in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland we have you covered with 24/7 service.
To start Locuming as a Doctor the requirements tend to vary by facility. Our minimum requirements to get you set up are:
- An updated CV
- AHPRA – Full general registration
- The details of at least 2 referees
Medical Council of New Zealand – Full general registration
Follow the link to find out whether you’re eligible to work in New Zealand – https://www.mcnz.org.nz/get-registered/registration-self-assessment-tool/
- Travel: You can experience local cultures across Australia first hand and contribute to improving the lives of local communities by working as a Locum Doctor. Travel around our beautiful coastline of Australia from Queensland to Western Australia or spend some time exploring our rural and remote regions [e.g].
- Income: Our team works hard to ensure all of our Locum Doctors receive the best possible pay rates.
- Flexibility: Working as a Locum doctor with HCA Doctors provides you with the flexibility to decide when and where you work.
- Experience: Broaden your medial experience with a variety of specialities and locations you can choose from.
- Development: Take advantage of our professional ALS courses to enhance your medical skills, knowledge and experience
- Permanent placement – Sometimes our Locum Doctors are offered longer term permanent appointments as a consequence being introduced to the facility initially on a Locum basis.
There are several different ways our Locum Doctors can be paid:
- Hourly – you will have a set hourly rate.
- Daily – you will have a set daily rate.
- On call – this is on top of your hourly rate.
- Payment methods –
- Australian Business Number (ABN): After receiving your timesheet you will be issued an invoice and will be paid as a contractor
- Pay As You Go (PAYG): After receiving your timesheet you will be paid via the facility you have worked
The amount you will be paid will vary depending on the location/region you will be working in as well as the level and urgency of the job. At HCA Doctors we will always try to get you the best possible rates.
- Specialists > Up to $3000/day – NZ$ – up to $80/hr
- Registrars > Up to $160/hour – NZ$ – up to $120/hr
- Residents/RMOs > Up to $130/hour
- GPs > $150/hour and/or % of billings – NZ$ up to $120/hr
- Consultant/Specialist>NZ$ – up to $2,000/day
You will be required to have at least 2 references – One of them must be a current Supervisor or Department head of a recent employer. Your referee’s will be required to answer a number on questions on your previous work experience and skills.
Medical indemnity insurance protects both doctors and patients in the event of an incident arising from medical care.
Medical indemnity cover for doctors is a requirement of registration in Australia and New Zealand. For more information on Medical Indemnity cover click here
In order to get the Locum/Permanent please complete and send back the required paperwork to your consultant as soon as possible. This will allow your consultant enough time to have you accredited at hospitals prior to any assignments and enable you to be placed in positions that suit you.
Simple tips to ensure you get the work you want:
- Keep your HCA consultant up to date with your availability
- Inform us of which method of communication is most efficient: phone, email, SMS
- Inform us of the specialties/areas you would like to Locum and where
- Respond quickly when you are notified of an opportunity
This will depend on the facility and location of the Locum position. Your HCA Doctors consultant will let you know if travel and accommodation is provided or reimbursed prior to each assignment they will also organise all travel arrangements by liaising with both you and the facility every step of the way. Make sure you keep all travel receipts for taxis, accommodation and petrol.
If you have any enquiries that are not addressed in the Frequently Asked Questions, you may contact us by email or call our national number 1300 889 133.
Useful Links
- Australian Day Surgery Nurses Association
- NSW College of Nursing
- Council of Remote Area Nurses of Australia Inc
- The Australian College of Critical Care Nurses
- Australia College Operating Room Nurses
- The Australian College of Emergency Nursing
- Australian College of Midwives
- Australian College of Children & Young People’s Nurses
- Cancer Centre
- Dental Association
- General Practice Division
- Medical Students Association
- Orthopaedic Association
- Pharmaceutical Society
- Plastic Surgeons Society
- Rural Doctors Association
- Sports Medicine Australia
- Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine
- Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
- Australasian College for Emergency Medicine
- Royal Australasian College of Physicians
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
- Royal ANZ College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists
- Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists
- Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
- Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
- Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Radiologists
- Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
- Medical Administrators
- Australian State Governments
- Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care
- New South Wales Health Department
- Victorian Department of Health
- Queensland Health
- South Australian Department of Health
- Health Department of Western Australia
- Department of Health and Community Services, Northern Territory
- Australian Capital Territory Government Health
- Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
- Australian Medical Association
- Australian Medical Council
- Department of Human Services
- The Medical Directory of Australia
- Australian Tax Office
- Business Entry Point
- Work Cover NSW
- National Health Performance Authority
eHCA App FAQs
HCA Doctors annually fills over 15,000 doctors’ shifts nationally. Our team has over 50 years combined medical recruitment expertise. We have built relationships with most of Australia’s best private and public hospitals and top health care organisations, giving you the flexibility to decide when and where you work – whether it’s in a metro centre like Sydney or Brisbane or a remote community in outback Australia lorem ipsum.
- When you choose to work with HCA Doctors, our dedicated and experienced recruitment consultants and assistants will help you every step of the way.
2 HCA Doctors annually fills over 15,000 doctors’ shifts nationally. Our team has over 50 years combined medical recruitment expertise. We have built relationships with most of Australia’s best private and public hospitals and top health care organisations, giving you the flexibility to decide when and where you work – whether it’s in a metro centre like Sydney or Brisbane or a remote community in outback Australia.
- When you choose to work with HCA Doctors, our dedicated and experienced recruitment consultants and assistants will help you every step of the way.