What now?

So, you have gone online and finally applied – HOORAY! We know how excited you are to begin this new journey!

Your CV will be sent to your selected state or division (such as rural remote)

Allow the consultants 3-5 business days to sort through applications. They will assess your CV before calling.

 

While you are waiting, here are some steps you can take to speed up the process before your consultant calls you. These are the documents that will be required, and sometimes it can take time to gather them, so this is what you can do while waiting.

 

The first question most people ask their consultant is “what is my hourly rate”. They can’t answer this straight away without looking at your statement of service, determining your increment level, figure out what state in Australia you would like to work etc. Also, pay varies in public VS private and between facilities & states.

 

Once they have all the relevant information, source where you want to work, they can send these to you, but be patient during this process.

 

STEP 1: COLLECT YOUR STATEMENT OF SERVICE

Contact old employers and ask Human Resources for your ‘statement of service’

You increase increment levels as a nurse/midwife depending on the hours you have worked. For example, if you work 3x a week for a year compared to someone who is full time and does 5x shift per week, they will go up in increments levels faster as they have completed more hours.

 

This allows HCA to determine what increment level you are and helps with the question everyone asks……how much I will be paid! Sometimes it can take time to gather these documents, so start getting them together.

 

STEP 2: APPLY FOR YOUR NATIONAL POLICE CHECK

Apply for your National Police Check. This is mandatory and needs to be valid within 6 months of applying. It is TAX DEDUCTIBLE, so keep your invoice and claim during tax time.

https://www.fit2work.com.au/IndividualCheck/NpcCheck

 

STEP 3: COLLECT VACCINATION/SEROLOGY DOCUMENTATION

Proof of the following:

2 Covid vaccinations required to join HCA unless you have an exemption. If you have an exemption, it will be client specific on whether they take you.

 

NSW Dept of Health have also just introduced a mandate for the 22.09.2022 that all nurses need Covid 3 and flu vax regardless of specialty. All aged care needs 3 vaccinations and flu VAX

 

NATIONALLY REQUIRED

Diphtheria / tetanus / pertussis (dTpa) – Record of vaccination within the last 10 years (ADT not accepted) Adacel or Boostrix only

Hepatitis B – Serology for Hepatitis B showing immunity OR Evidence of 2 doses of vaccination per the Australian Immunisation guidelines

Measles / Mumps / Rubella (MMR)- Serology for each virus showing as immunity OR Evidence of 2 does of vaccination per the Australian Immunisation guidelines

Varicella (VZV) – Serology showing immunity for Varicella Zoster Virus

Tuberculosis (TB) – Serology evidence (QuantiFERON blood test) showing negative result OR Mantoux (skin test) showing a negative / no reaction result (ie.10mm) require a follow-up chest x-ray with supporting results/letter from HCP stating there is no sign of active TB to be cleared for work

 

AGED CARE EXTRA REQUIREMENTS

COVID-19 vaccinations – 3 x COVID-19 vaccination doses within required timeframes (Astrazeneca / Pfizer / Moderna or other approved vaccination)

Flu vaccination – Record of vaccination annually

 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA EXTRA REQUIREMENTS

Hepatitis A – Serology for Hepatitis A showing immunity

Hepatitis C – Screening for Hepatitis C showing negative result

MRSA Screen – Two clearly labelled swabs (1 must be nasal) – showing Not Detected / Isolated NB. Only required if candidate has worked/been treated in a clinical facility outside of WA in the prior 12 months. Complete only following last clinical shift outside of WA. Positive results will require follow-up treatment prior to commencing work

 

NORTHERN TERRITORY EXTRA REQUIREMENTS

Hepatitis A – Serology for Hepatitis A showing immunity OR Evidence of 2 doses of vaccination per the Australian Immunisation guidelines

 

NEW SOUTH WALES EXTRA REQUIREMENTS

Hepatitis B – Serology for Hepatitis B showing immunity AND Evidence of 3 doses of vaccination completed as per the National Immunisation Schedule (if unable to attain a Stat Dec is required

 

STEP 4: GATHER COMPETENCY PAPERWORK

Basic Life Support certificate (valid 1 year)

Manual handling (valid 1 year)

ALS 1 and 2 (if applicable to your role)

Blood safe

Hand Hygiene

 

STEP 5: GATHER YOUR 100 POINT DOCUMENTATION PAPERWORK

Identification requirements

Minimum Identity Requirements You must provide FOUR identification documents from the below list. ONE must be from category A (as a minimum) and the remaining 3 documents can be from category B.

Category A – Colour Certified Copies. — At least one of your identity documents must contain a photograph

CATEGORY A

Must have one from Category A

• Birth Certificate – Australian Passport (current, or expired within the previous two years, but not cancelled)
• Australian Citizenship Certificate
• International Passport (current, or expired within the previous two years, but not cancelled)
• Other document of identity having same characteristics as a passport, e.g. diplomatic/refugee (Photo or Signature)
• Proof of Visa to work in Australia

CATEGORY B

3 ID documents from Category B

• Current Licence or Permit (Government Issued)
• Working With Children Card – Foreign/International Driver’s Licence
• Proof of Age Card (Government Issued)
• Medicare Card/Private Health Care Card
• Credit/Debit Card
• Council Rates Notice
• Public Employee Photo ID Card (Government Issued)
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Card
• Current Tertiary Education Institution Photo ID
• Reference from a medical practitioner (must have known the Applicant for a period of at least 12 months)
• Birth Extract
• Property Lease/Rental Agreement
• Seniors Card
• Electoral Roll Registration
• Motor Vehicle Registration or Insurance Documents
• Professional or Trade Association Card

 

STEP 6: TAKE A PHOTO

Supply a photo of yourself for your ID badge. Can be in selfie mode. No filters. Clear background.

 

STEP 7: WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK – WILL YOU NEED IT?

WWCC (Working with Children Check) is typically for Department of Health Contracts.

What state are you planning on working in? You can start beginning the process while you wait if you are set on a particular state in Australia:

 

New South Wales

Cost: $80 (this is tax deduction. Keep your invoice to claim on tax)

Valid: For 5 years

Applications can be completed via the online website.

You need to do payment and verification of ID within NSW at a Motor Registry. Once payment has been made, candidates have 28 days to supply to clearance number to HCA and site (you will receive this via email).

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-working-children-check

 

Queensland

Not required for healthcare workers if they have currently AHRPA registration and a valid National Police Clearance.

South Australia

Cost: $115 (this is tax deduction. Keep your invoice to claim on your next tax)

Valid: For 5 years

Must choose “working with children – vulnerable person”

 

Northern Territory

Cost: $72 (this is tax deduction. Keep your invoice to claim on your next tax)

Valid: For 2 years

Applications can be completed via the online website

 

Victoria

Cost: $119.40 (this is tax deduction. Keep your invoice to claim on your next tax)

Valid: For 5 years

Only required for Midwives, Pediatrics, Special Care Nursery, NICU and client specific as per job boar float.

 

Tasmania

Cost: $113.40 (this is tax deduction. Keep your invoice to claim on your next tax)

Valid: Valid for 5 years

Only required for Midwives, Pediatrics, Special Care Nursery, NICU or client specific as per job float.

 

Western Australia

Cost: $87 (this is tax deduction. Keep your invoice to claim on your next tax)

Valid: For 3 years

Can ONLY be done in person on arrival to WA or at a participating interstate Australia Post Offices.

MUST have original forms of 100 point identification as listed o the WA WWCC application form (digital copies not accepted).

Candidates must have an original application form which has the employer section completed by HCA or client and present in person to lodge and make payment.

 

A HCA consultant will review your application and be in touch!