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Support for international healthcare workers

If you are a health or mental health professional considering a move to Victoria, there are a range of financial supports available to support your relocation.

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Victoria's healthcare system relies on an experienced and highly skilled workforce to deliver the best possible care to those who need it.

Relocation support

Relocation support packages offered by the Victorian Government through the International Recruitment Program (the Program) have been extended to recruit 1,100 healthcare workers.

All relocation support packages are expected to be allocated by 31 December 2023. Once exhausted, no further packages will be available.

If you are considering applying for a relocation support package, please speak to the employing health service as soon as possible about what opportunities are available to you.

Relocation support packages include an international travel reimbursement to help with relocation costs:

  • $10,000 for healthcare workers who secure a role in a public metropolitan health service
  • $13,000 for healthcare workers who secure a role in a rural or regional health service

Funds are transferred via the employing health service, so please speak to your employer about your individual agreement.

Support provided via the Program reimbursement claims, is being reviewed and may change. Health services will be advised via the Program's website and recruits via the Join the communityExternal Link website as soon as revised arrangements are available.

Testimonial: Paul, Occupational Therapist

    • Transcript

      Paul, Occupational Therapist

      Hi, my name is Paul Ferguson.

      I'm from Wales in the UK. My first experience of Australia would have been when I was 20 or 21. It was in my backpacking days. I travelled around Australia - I loved the culture, the lifestyle, the work/life balance, the friendly nature.

      Then after my backpacking days I studied in the UK, became an occupational therapist, and then decided to immigrate to Australia. My move allowed me to work in forensic mental health, in terms of I developed a bit of a rotation within my own career progression. I've worked in various areas, knowing that I'm really passionate about working in the forensic sector. The fact that the public sector within Victoria has so many areas that you can practice, it allowed me to build up those skills, so I felt prepared to step into that system.

      In terms of how I feel about the time I have with the person I'm working with, I think it helps me to make a difference in my role because it's at a level where I have time for that genuine interaction – where I'm not thinking I've got to move on to the next person. My head's completely in the room with that person, and we have time to go off and explore what's in the area to support them with their rehabilitation needs.

      There's a lot of excitement and opportunity, not just for the workforce, for staff, but more importantly for the consumer. I think it makes me really motivated to work in the mental health system.

    Eligibility

    This program is an opportunity for health professionals who:

    • are currently living overseas, which may include Australian citizens returning home or non-residents who meet Commonwealth visa requirementsExternal Link
    • are international candidates whose occupation is on the Skilled Occupation list (SOL)External Link and
      • have received an offer of employment from a Victorian public health service, Ambulance Victoria or Forensicare to commence employment between 1 April 2022 and 30 June 2024 (noting that relocation packages may be exhausted before this date), and intend to work within the Victorian public health system for at least two years, and
      • can access relevant Australian registration or accreditation for their profession
    • are fully vaccinated (including travelling families) for COVID-19 by a Therapeutic Goods Administration approved or recognised vaccine.

    The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) includes but is not limited to the following health professions:

    • General Practitioner (253111)
    • Hospital Pharmacist (251511)
    • Industrial Pharmacist (251512)
    • Medical Laboratory Scientist (234611)
    • Medical Practitioners nec (253999)
    • Midwife (254111)
    • Orthotist or Prosthetist (251912)
    • Psychiatrist (253411)
    • Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
    • Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
    • Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
    • Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
    • Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
    • Registered Nurses nec (254499)
    • Resident Medical Officer (253112)
    • Retail Pharmacist (251513)
    • Social Worker (272511)

    For an exhaustive list of all occupations of the Skilled Occupation List please refer to the Australian Skilled Occupation ListExternal Link .

    For further information regarding who is eligible to enter Australia on the SOL please refer to the Commonwealth Department of Home AffairsExternal Link information.

    How to apply

    Applications to the reimbursement happen through the recruitment process with the employing Victorian public health service. The reimbursement will be provided to new, eligible employees by their health service in accordance with existing health service payroll processes.

    The employing health service will be required to identify these payments within their systems, and as such may require employees or managers to complete documentation.

    Regional mental health workforce incentives

    Supports are available to help mental health professionals take up exciting positions in mental health and alcohol and other drug facilities in regional and rural Victoria. Flexible grants are available to qualified workers to help with costs such as accommodation, relocation, childcare, school fees and vehicle costs.

    Successful job candidates will also be supported to move, settle, and integrate into rural and regional Victorian communities. Find out more on the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria websiteExternal Link .

    Reviewed 14 November 2023

    Jobs in health

    More information

    Workforce Strategy & Wellbeing Branch Department of Health

    InternationalRecruitmentProgram@health.vic.gov.au
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