Travel nursing offers variety, professional growth and the chance to work in communities where experienced nurses are needed. But what actually happens once you decide to apply for a travel nursing contract?
From finding a placement and submitting your application to starting your contract, extending your stay and planning what’s next, here’s how the process works with Healthcare Australia.
- Browse and apply through the eHCA app. Current rural and remote placements are listed in the app, so you can find opportunities that match your skills and availability.
- Be ready to move quickly. Applying early, keeping your CV up to date and being clear about your availability can help your application stand out.
- You’ll have support throughout. Your placement consultant is there from your first conversation through to your contract, extension and next placement.
Why nurses choose travel nursing
Around 7 million Australians, 27% of the population, live in rural and remote areas, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The AIHW also reports that small rural towns have had the lowest clinical full-time equivalent rates across most health professions since 2016.
Travel nurses play an important role in supporting these communities, helping local teams maintain services and providing care where experienced healthcare professionals are needed.
But travel nursing isn’t just about where you’re needed. It’s also an opportunity to build your career while experiencing different parts of Australia.
Depending on the placement, travel and accommodation inclusions are discussed with you upfront. Working across different facilities, patient groups and models of care can broaden your clinical experience and add valuable skills to your CV.
And because travel contracts have defined start and end dates, you can have greater flexibility over when you work and when you take a break.
Step 1: Find a placement and express your interest
Current rural and remote vacancies are listed in the eHCA app.
Once you’re logged in, select R&R Placements at the top of the screen to see what’s available. When you find a placement that matches your experience and availability, simply express your interest. What happens next depends on whether you’re already working with Healthcare Australia.
Already working with Healthcare Australia?
If you currently work with Healthcare Australia in another area, a recruiter will review your profile and check that you have the compliance requirements needed for rural and remote work. Rural and remote placements can have additional requirements compared with metropolitan roles, so you may need to provide some extra documentation. Once that’s sorted, your recruiter will connect you with a placement consultant.
Already a Healthcare Australia travel nurse?
If you’re already working as a Healthcare Australia travel nurse, your recruiter will check that your compliance is current and connect you with your dedicated placement consultant. Your consultant will then contact you to talk through the placement and next steps.
New to Healthcare Australia?
If you’re new to Healthcare Australia, your recruiter will guide you through the onboarding process.
You’ll need to provide documents required for employment, along with any additional documentation our clients require when we submit an application on your behalf. It can feel like a lot at first, but we’ll only ask for what’s required. Work through the process section by section, and reach out if you’re unsure about anything. Once your initial compliance is complete, you’ll be introduced to a placement consultant who can start talking you through available opportunities.
Step 2: Talk through the placement with your consultant
Before your application is submitted, your placement consultant will talk you through the role and make sure you have the information you need to decide whether it’s right for you.
You’ll discuss:
- Placement duration and location
- Role requirements
- Rates
- Travel and accommodation inclusions
- Additional compliance, client paperwork or training
If the placement has additional requirements, your consultant will explain what you need to provide and when. Some requirements need to be completed before your application can be submitted, while others may be completed after you’ve been successful. These requirements and timeframes are set by the client, so it’s important to be prepared to meet them within the required timeframe.
Step 3: Submit a strong application
Travel nursing can be competitive. Clients may receive applications from several agencies for the same placement, and applications submitted early are more likely to be reviewed. In many cases, clients don’t speak directly with nurses before making their selection. That means your application and CV need to give them a clear picture of your experience, skills and suitability for the role. It also pays to keep your options open. There may be several placements that suit your experience and availability, so talk to your consultant about the opportunities that interest you.
Tips to improve your chances
- Check the app regularly
If you see a placement you’d like and you’re available for the dates, express your interest early. - Respond quickly
When your consultant contacts you about a role, getting back to them promptly can help get your application submitted sooner. - Be clear about your availability
Before accepting a contract, make sure you’re confident you can commit to the full dates. Once a contract is confirmed, the dates are treated as a commitment by both you and the client. Changing your availability afterwards can affect future opportunities in that area. - Keep your CV detailed and up to date
Include your previous roles, clinical experience, professional development, skills and abilities. The more relevant information a client has, the better they can assess your experience. - Use one agency per contract
If you’re registered with multiple agencies, make sure you know which agency is submitting you for each placement. If a client receives the same nurse’s application from multiple agencies, the application may be set aside.
Step 4: Hear the outcome
If your application isn’t successful
Not every application will result in a contract, and that’s a normal part of travel nursing. Clients can receive more applications than they have capacity to provide individual feedback on. Sometimes we’re simply told that a placement has been filled, and in some cases only the agency representing the successful nurse receives an outcome. There can also be many reasons an application isn’t selected, including the facility’s current skill mix, travel requirements, availability, dates or a specific client requirement. If you miss out on a placement, don’t let it put you off. There will be other opportunities, and your consultant can help you identify roles that match your experience and availability.
If your application is successful
Your consultant will contact you and begin preparing your formal contract documentation. Any outstanding compliance requirements will need to be completed at this stage. Our admin team will help collect remaining documentation, organise travel and provide accommodation details when they’re available. Accommodation arrangements aren’t always confirmed until close to your start date or arrival, so some flexibility may be required.
If something unexpected happens and you need to change or cancel a confirmed contract, contact your consultant as soon as possible. Changes to confirmed contracts must be made by phone rather than email or SMS.
During your contract
Your consultant will check in with you before you start and throughout your placement. You’re also welcome to contact them between scheduled check-ins.
If an issue comes up during your placement, let your consultant know as early as possible. We’ll work with you and the facility to understand what’s happening and find a way forward.
Extending your travel nursing contract
Enjoying your placement and want to stay longer? Your consultant can speak with the facility to see whether an extension is available. Extensions are subject to agreement between you and the facility and depend on the facility’s ongoing staffing needs.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Extensions generally don’t include additional travel. The travel inclusions from your original contract move to your new end date.
- An extension continues your existing contract. If you’d like to finish your contract, take a break and then return, this will generally be treated as a new contract.
Step 5: Finish your contract and plan what’s next
As your contract approaches its end date, our team will organise your travel home and your consultant will check in about what’s next.
You might want to:
- head home and take a break
- move straight into another travel nursing contract
- explore a different location or type of facility
- take some time to decide what’s next.
If you’re taking a break, stay in touch with your consultant so they can help you find your next opportunity when you’re ready.
And don’t forget to update your CV. If you’ve developed new skills, completed additional training or gained experience in a new clinical setting during your placement, send those details to your consultant. We’ll make sure they’re reflected in your profile for future applications.
How Healthcare Australia supports travel nurses
Travel nursing is about more than finding a contract. It’s about having the right people around you throughout the journey. Healthcare Australia’s Travel Nursing team places nurses in rural and remote facilities across Australia, with dedicated teams supporting you at each stage.
- Recruiters help you meet the compliance requirements for your placement.
- Placement consultants talk you through available opportunities, present your application to clients, keep you updated and check in throughout your contract.
- Our administration team helps manage contract paperwork, travel bookings and accommodation details.
Together, the team helps take care of the practical side of travel nursing, so you can focus on settling into your placement and caring for your patients. As part of a network of more than 120,000 healthcare professionals, you’ll also have access to a broad range of opportunities across Australia. And when one contract ends, your consultant can help you use the experience you’ve gained to plan your next move.
Ready to start your travel nursing journey?
Log in to the eHCA app to browse current rural and remote placements, or visit www.healthcareaustralia.com.au or call us on 1300 885 728 to speak with one of our travel nurse specialists today.
