Document checklist for getting a job in healthcare in Australia

The healthcare system is the largest employer in Australia. In 2017, for instance, the health system accounted for 12.5% of the employment share across all Australian industries. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for qualified medical personnel saw a significant rise. No wonder so many people want to get a career in healthcare, as it’s a steady job with excellent pay and if you’re good at what you do you won’t have to worry about unemployment.

Here are the documents you’ll need to get a job in the Australian healthcare system.

Degrees needed in the health system

First of all, you’ll need a medical degree of some sorts. Doctors have to have a degree from a medical school in Australia. Foreigners with an equivalent degree from a university in their country of origin can also find employment in Australia.

To become a Registered Nurse, you’ll need at least a 3-year Bachelor Degree in Nursing. Another way of getting into this field is becoming an Enrolled Nurse by getting a HLT54115 – Diploma of Nursing.

To be able to work in the healthcare system you also need to be registered with the relevant professional organisation.

Since jobs in this field are in high demand, you can increase your chances of getting a good position by taking additional courses and specializing in various fields. Nurses, for instance, can qualify in pediatrics, aged care, community health, etc.

Background checks are a must in the healthcare system

If you’re looking for a job in the Australian healthcare system you will have to undergo a background check no matter the position you apply for. For this, health practitioners generally will refer you to providers like Australian National Character Check (ANCC) that enable health practitioners to complete their checks 100% online and without the need to physically visit a post office or police station. This is necessary as it’s a very sensitive field, which requires a lot of responsibility. Also, in this field people have easy access to controlled substances, so it’s unlikely you’ll get a job if you have drug convictions on your criminal record.

If you have some minor offences on your criminal record, keep in mind that those can become spent after a 10 year waiting period, or 5 years if you were convicted as a minor.

At the same time, if you’re going to work with children, elderly or disabled people you will have to undergo a more thorough check than the usual police check. For instance, to work in pediatrics you’ll need to undergo a Working With Children check and obtain the so-called Blue Permit. In this field, you can expect periodical checks as you’ll have to renew your Blue Permit every few years.

Health checks

Jobs in Australia’s healthcare system can be challenging so you can expect to be asked about any health conditions you might have. In most cases, it’s a self-assessment test, but if you do suffer from a certain condition you might be required to undergo tests to determine whether you’re apt for the job.

At the same time, keep in mind that for some jobs you might be required to provide proof of various immunizations, to make sure you’re not in danger of catching a serious disease or that you’re not a danger for vulnerable people.