If you have experience in healthcare, your skills are in high demand in English speaking countries like Australia. There is a shortage of nurses, physiotherapists and general practitioners throughout the country, giving qualified professionals an opportunity to gain global work experience.
Depending on your current qualifications and experience, you could work in Australia as a nurse or midwife, general practitioner, physiotherapist or other healthcare professional. Use the guide below to consider the best pathway for you and find out how IELTS can help you achieve your goals.
Nursing and midwifery
Nurses are most in demand in Australia. There will be an undersupply of around 70 000 nurses in Australia by 2035 according to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Qualified nurses who want to work in Australia need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). IELTS Academic forms part of the registration requirements for NMBA and a minimum overall IELTS band score of 7.0 is expected. Achieving this IELTS score will also help you meet Australian visa requirements.
Wondering what you can expect to earn as a nurse in Australia? Your salary will depend on whether you work in a big city or remote location as well as how much experience you have. For your first year as a registered nurse, you can expect to earn a minimum annual salary of $70,235. Learn more about salary expectations here.
Allied health roles
Allied healthcare includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, podiatry, social work and many other specialist roles. An ageing population and high demand for allied healthcare workers in remote parts of Australia make it possible to find work if you have the right qualifications. Occupational therapy, physiotherapy and osteopathy are the fastest growing fields in allied health. Learn more here.
All health practitioners in Australia must be registered with their relevant National Board. Proof of English language proficiency is required to register with any of the National Boards listed on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website. Be sure to check with the board you plan to register with what their minimum IELTS band score requirements are.
Health practitioner salaries vary depending on the services you specialise in and where in Australia you decide to work. As a psychologist, you can expect to earn between $84 389 and $130 198 annually. Social workers and osteopaths can expect to start with an annual salary of around $70 000. Learn more here.
Medicine and general practice
The demand for doctors in Australia is just as high as it is for other healthcare roles. Australia’s vast territory sees a concentration of specialists in cities, while rural areas face severe shortages.
Working as a doctor in Australia requires registration with the Medical Board of Australia. There are several pathways to consider so be sure to investigate your options on their website before you get started. You will be required to achieve a minimum IELTS band score of 7.0 to register with the Board.
As with other healthcare professions, salary expectations will be based on your chosen field of specialisation, the number of years of experience you have and where in Australia you apply to work. A full-time registrar doctor’s salary in Australia can vary between $85 000 and $150 000 per year. Learn more here.
Preparing for IELTS is a great way to strengthen your English skills before you embark on a global medical career. Book your IELTS test today and achieve your goals as a healthcare professional abroad.