WELCOMEGUIDE–VISASANDREGISTRATION 1

WelcomeguidefornewRegistrarsGettingyourVisaandProfessionalRegistration

Having successfully dived though the necessary hoops toundertakethisposition,wethoughtwewouldwritedownafewbitsofpractical advice foroverseasapplicants.This iswrittenmostlyfromtheperspectiveofUKapplicants.Thereare some aspects that may not apply to all internationalapplicants.

Theveryfirstthingyouneedtodo….…is understand that the process of becoming a registeredmedical practitioner inAustraliacantakesometimeandisnotcheap.Itisalsoastep-wiseprocesssoitis verydifficult todo everything simultaneously in the finalmoments. Wewouldsuggestgettinggoingasearlyaspossible-keepingthepaperworktickingoverinthe months before you leave will minimise stress andallowsthecosttobespreadoveratleastafewmonths.

Once you’ve got thingsmoving you can congratulate yourselffor being selected into an elite of pre-hospital and retrievalexpertiseandlookforwardtoagreatperiodoftraining,flyingandgenerallyenjoyingwhatSydneyhastooffer.

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OverviewoftheProcessStep1. Getprospectiveapproval fromPMETB/GMC,yourRoyalCollegeandyourdeanery/equivalenttocometoSydneyandworkforNSWAmbulanceService.Step2.FromJuly12014,applytotheAustralianMedicalCouncil(AMC)forPrimarySourceVerification(PSV)ofyourqualifications.(PriortoJuly12014applicantswererequiredtoapplytotheAMCviatheCompetentAuthorityPathway–thisisnolongerthecase).

Step3a.GetprovisionalregistrationwiththeAustralianHealthPractitionerRegulationAgency(AHPRA).

Step3b.Getaworkingvisa(startthisatthesametimeasAHPRAapplication).Step4.Startwork(youneedtocompleteaWorkingwithChildrenCheckbeforestartingandtogetpaidyoualsoneedaTaxFileNumber,seebelow)!

PrimarySourceVerificationfromAMCCost;approxAUD$540Timetocomplete;allow6weeksThisisthefirststepandisaprerequisiteforawardofavisaandregistrationwithAHPRA,sodothisfirst.Getstartedatwww.amc.org.au/index.php/ass/psv.

Basically,thisisanexerciseingettingyourpreviousexperiencerecognisedbyanAustralianauthority.If you have earned your medical degree at a British medicalschool AND undertook 12 months as a PRHO or foundationtraininginBritainANDhavefullregistrationwiththeGMC,youfulfiltherequirements.PrimarySourceVerificationformandit’ssupportingdocumentationchecklistcanbefoundhere.

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AraftofcertifiedcopiesFora full listofpeoplewhocancertifydocumentsoutsideAustraliagohere. TheeasiestoptionislikelytobeaNotaryPublic.Youcanfindoneofthesenearyoubylookingonlineatmynotary.co.ukorequivalent.IMPORTANT:1.YouaregoingtoneedabunchofcopiesforyourapplicationtoAHPRAaswellsogetthelotdoneinonesittingandsaveyourselftime/money.2.Thecopieshavetobecertifiedinaveryspecificway(seehereforAMCandherefor AHPRA). All the documentsmust be certified by the same person so find aNotary close to your house as more than one visit may be necessary if they areunhappywithyourfirstlotofpaperwork.

I certify this document to be a true copy of the original sighted by me

…………………. Signature of witness ………………….

Print title and number of witness/stamp (if applicable) Date (dd/mm/yyyy)

3.ThepriceofaNotaryvariesenormously-shoparound.[Theprocessofcertifyingdocuments ispainfullydullandmeaningless– ifyoudoall thenon-essentialwriting(as above) they’ll be very grateful and probably charge you less].

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TemporaryBusinessVisa–Subclass457Cost;AU$1,035+HealthcheckandCXR($variable)+Healthinsurance(AU$170/month).Additionalfamilymembersextra.Timetocomplete;thiswillbethelastthingyouareawardedandyoumaynotgetitbeforeyouarrive!TheAmbulanceservicewilltaketheleadonthisone-youwillnotbeabletostartyourapplicationwithoutanominationnumberissuedbytheimmigrationservicetoNSWAmbulance.IftheAmbulanceServicehasnotprovidedyouwiththisnumberwithin2weeksofyouacceptingtheposition-pestertheHRdepartmentforit!Thisisavisathatallowsyoutoworkforaspecificemployerfora maximum of four years. It also allows you to bring yourspouse/partner who will also be allowed to work or studyunderthetermsofthevisa. Ifyouareplanningtobringyourfamily as a ‘dependent’ on your visa, the Ambulance Servicewill need to nominate them too. Contact your HRrepresentativetoletthemknowthattheyneedtodothisasitwillnothappenautomatically.Startyouronlineapplicationordownloadapaperversionhere.Youwillneed toelectronicallyattachanumberofdocumentstoyouronlineapplicationforconsiderationbyimmigration.Achecklistofsupportingdocumentationisavailable.Proofofjoboffer:Jobdescriptionandcontract1Proofofhealthinsurance:Medibankreceipt(orequivalent)2Proofofeligibilitytoundertakework;

- MBBS/GMC/FRCAcert(orequivalent)- AHPRAregistrationcertificate(unlikelyyouwillhavethisyet–don’t

worry,youcanuploaditwhenyougetit)3- Proofofidentity/addressandmarriagecertifbringingyourspouse.

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Notes1. Jobdescriptionandcontractshouldhavebeensenttoyouonacceptanceofthejob.ScantoPDFandattach.2. Although, British citizens enjoy reciprocal health cover (throughMedicare) inAustralia, you will still need to take out proper health insurance until you canregisterforMedicare(thiscanonlybedoneonceinsideAustralia).Standardtravelinsurancemaybeacceptedbutideallyyoushouldgetvisitor’scoverfromanAustralianhealth insurance company. There are anumberof companiesthat provide this but Medibank seems to be the only one offering visitors’ coverwhich allows you topaymonthly (and thus cancel yourpolicy once youhave gotyourvisaandregisteredwithMedicare).Alternatively,HBAofferreasonablypricedprivate policies for which you can pay up front and which are accepted byimmigationseehere.Once you have bought your cover, they will email you an immigration-friendlyinsurancecertificatethatyoucanattachtoyourapplication.NB.Youdon’tstartpayingpremiumsuntilyouenterthecountry.3. AHPRA registration can be subject to long delays (especially over theChristmas/New Year period) and some of the registrars may not get theirregistrationuntilaftertheyhaveenteredthecountry. Sincea457visawillnotbefinalisedwithoutAHPRAregistration,interimmeasuresmaybenecessary:ItisperfectlylegitimatetoenterAustraliaonavisitorvisawhileyour457isbeingconsideredsolongasyoudon’tdoanypaidwork.Sincetheretrievaljobstartswitha2-weekinduction,youcanstartyourtrainingwhileyougetafewbitsandpiecesironedoutifnecessary.Whilstnotarecommendedapproach,thismayoccasionallybenecessary.Your interim options are an eVisitor visa or anElectronic Travel Authority (via the embassy).Bothofthesearefree.BothaneVisitor andanETAdo the same thing.They are valid for 12 months from issue andallowyoutovisitAustraliaasmanytimesasyoulike in that time so long as youdon’t staymorethan3monthsinonego.

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Theyareadvertisedas‘instant’visaswithaturnaroundofafewminutes.However,becauseyouwillalreadyhavea457applicationinplacewhenyouapplyforit,theremaybeadelaywhileImmigrationaskyouafewquestionstoclarifyyourintentions.Iwouldsuggestapplyingamonthbeforeyouareduetofly.Thegoodnewsisthatonceyousubmityour457application,youwillbeassignedacaseofficerwhowillleavetheirpersonalemailandphonenumberatthebottomoftheiremails.ThatmeansyoucanringthemupandaskthemquestionsHealthCheckYouwillneedtobefreeofanyofthetransmissiblebloodbornediseasesandTB.Aspart of the visa application youwill have to go to one of a number of nominatedfacilitiesapprovedbyAustralian immigration foramedicalexamination,chestXR,bloodstests(HBV,HCV,HIV)andurinedip.These medical facilities can be expensive. If you live in London, there are a fewclinics so it might be worth comparing prices (especially if you are bringing thewholefamily).Ifnot,you’lljusthavetopicktheoneclosesttoyouandtakethehit.

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ProvisionalRegistrationwithAHPRACost;approx.$720Timetocomplete;Variable,butonceyou’vesubmittedallformsANDsupportingdocumentationtheremaybeafour-weekgapbeforeyourapplicationisconsidered.6-8weeksisprobablyasafeestimate.TherecanbelongdelaysoverChristmas/NewYear,soFebruarystartersgetyourpaperworkinEARLY.MakesureyourapplicationisCOMPLETEfirsttime.As of 1 July 2014, the application process andforms required for International MedicalGraduates (IMGs)have changedand it isveryimportant that you are familiar with theinformation here. While things willundoubtedlyimproveinthelongrun,therearelikely to be some teething problems with thenew process, so a bit of general advicewouldbewellheeded.

1. Keepacopyofeverythingyousendthemandrecordthedateitwassent.2. Sendonlyviarecordedpostandrecordthetrackingnumbersanddateof

successfuldelivery.3. Emailsviatheonlineportalarerarelyrespondedto.Phonecallsarenever

retuned.4. Ifyoucan,findoutwhoismanagingyourcaseandgettheiremailaddressso

youcancorresponddirectly.Thisseemstobetheonlywaytogetanyacknowledgementofprogressthroughthesystem.

YouwillmostprobablybeapplyingforProvisionalRegistration.Download the application form APRI-30 and complete Parts A, B and D (Part BMUSTbe filled inwithHRAdvisor’sdetails so thatNSWAmbulancecan track theprogressofyourapplication).Part Cwill be completedby your clinical supervisor. TheAmbulance servicewillsendyouaSupervisedPracticePlanwhichmustbesignedandreturned.ReturnthecompletedformandthesignedSupervisedPracticePlanalongwithALLsupporting documentation to ASNSW asap. They will marry up with Part C andsubmiteverythingtoAHPRAtomitigatedelays.

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Atthetimeofwriting,itisunclearwhetherAHPRAwillrequireaPre-EmploymentStructuredClinicalInterview(PESCI)forthisposition.MoreaboutPESCIhere.Youwillneedtoattachyetmorecertifiedcopiesthatmayinclude;

• 100pointsofidentification(Passport,GMCcertificateandrenewal)• Medicaldegreecertificate• Additionalqualificationse.g.FRCA• ProofofPRHOyear(asbefore)• PrimarySourceVerificationfromAMC(above)• ProofofSecondaryeducationinEnglish(aletterfromyourschoolonheaded

paper).• Pre-EmploymentStructuredClinicalInterview(PESCI)ifrequired.

Andalsosomeotherdocuments…

• ACVwithdetailsofemploymenthistory(don’tleaveANYunaccountedgapsandsignitinthespecifiedmanner).CVMUSTcomplywithAHPRA’sstandardformatwhichcanbefoundhere.

• ARetrievalRegistrarjobdescriptionisavailablefromAmbulance.• Alistofeducationalobjectivesfortheperiodoftraining/curriculumis

availablefromAmbulance.AnoteaboutCOGS’sAHPRAwill need to have a Certificate of Good Standing (COGS) from themedicalregulatorofanycountry inwhichyouhaveworkedoverthelast10years. Thesewill onlybeprovided toAHPRA’snominatedaddress/email so youwill never seethem.Wewouldadvise;

• ApplyfortheCOGSaroundthesametimeyousendinyourformandasktheGMCtoincludeyourAMCreferencenumber.

• Pro-actively seekwritten verification fromAHPRA that they have receivedyourCOGS.

• YoushouldgetemailconfirmationfromtheGMCthattheCOGShasbeensentelectronically. Keep this and forward to AHPRA if they claim not to haveyourCOGS.

• Don’t forget the 6 months you spent in New Zealand working after yourhousejobs.You’llneedaCOGSfromtheretoo!

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Awordofwarning!Applicationsforprovisionalregistrationareconsideredbyaboardthatmeetsonlyonceamonth.Ifyouleavethisuntilthelastmomentandyou’reunluckywithyourtiming you may be looking at a four-week wait before your registration isconsidered.Andifyoudon’thaveregistration,youcan’tgetavisa.Novisa,nopay!

GetaTaxFileNumber

Inordertogetpaid,youwillneedaTaxFileNumber,whichcanbeappliedforonlineatwww.ato.gov.au.

WorkingwithChildrenCheckThismustbecompletedbeforeyoustartwork.Firstcompletetheonlineapplicationform.BringtheapplicationnumberyoureceivetoyournearestNSWMotorRegistrywithproofofidentity,paythe$80feeandyougeta5yearclearance.

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WELCOMEGUIDE–VISASANDREGISTRATION

RegistrarRecruitmentChecklistAMC/AHPRA/Visa

NAMEOFAPPLICANT:RESPONSIBLEHROFFICER: Task Responsible? Completed?

(Y/N)

1 AustralianMedicalCouncil(AMC) 4-6weeks PrimarySourceVerificationviaAMC EMPLOYEE

Fee$540 EMPLOYEE

2 AustralianHealthPractitionerRegulatoryAuthority(AHPRA) 6-8weeks ApplicationforProvisionalRegistrationasaMedicalPractitionerAPRI-30 EMPLOYEE PartsA,BandDofformAPRI-30(includeHRdetailsinPartB) EMPLOYEE CertifiedcopiesofALLsupportingdocuments EMPLOYEE PartCofformAPRI-30 Ambulance Sponsoringemployerswrittenconfirmationofjoboffer Ambulance Statementincluding: Employercontactdetails Ambulance Positiondescription Ambulance

SupervisedPracticePlaninaccordancewithBoard’sSupervisedPracticeGuidelines(employeemustsignSupervisedPracticePlan)

Ambulance/EMPLOYEE

Trainingplan/curriculum Ambulance WrittenconfirmationfromproposedSupervisor Ambulance *Mustincludeaboveforeachpositioniesecondmentstootherhospitals/departments* COLLATIONOFALLABOVEANDSUBMISSIONOFAPPLICATIONTOAHPRA AMBULANCE/

EMPLOYEE

3 DepartmentofImmigrationandCitizenship 2-3months

(longeroverChristmas)

LodgeVisaApplication:Subclass457Business(LongStay)Visa(Form) EMPLOYEE

Makesurevisaextends4weeksafterexpectedfinishdate Ambulance Initiatesponsorshipapplicationforregistrarandsecondaryapplicants(family)

Ambulance

Informregistrarofsponsorshipconfirmationreferencenumber Ambulance

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Pointstonote: Registrarscannotcommencevisaapplicationuntilsponsorshiparranged 457visachecklist-evidencerequiredforapplication EMPLOYEE PoliceClearanceCheckUK EMPLOYEE GetaTaxFileNumber(applyonlineatwww.ato.gov.au) EMPLOYEE WorkingwithChildrenCheckForm EMPLOYEE