Australia wants nurses from S'pore, will expedite their job applications
Australia needs nurses for its ageing population.

Australia will streamline the registration process for internationally qualified nurses from six countries, including Singapore, effectively reducing processing times by up to six to 12 months.
Want nurses from six countries
Starting soon in 2025, the nurses who can go on this fast-tracked route include those who have practised for at least 1,800 hours since 2017 in comparable countries, including Ireland, Singapore, Spain, the UK, the U.S., and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario, Health Care Asia Magazine reported.
A faster application process would see nurses from these countries potentially bypassing the taking of additional exams or qualification upgrades for registration.
To ensure patient safety and quality care, they are still required to meet the same regulatory standards as Australian-trained nurses.
The adjustment to simpler, quicker, and cost-effective pathways for internationally qualified healthcare workers to practise in Australia was followed up on by The Straits Times, which reported on the "dire shortage" of nurses there.
Application time shortened by months
The scheme was unveiled on Jan. 27 by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
The change will take effect by April.
The current processing times of nine to 12 months or longer will be cut to one to six months, Ahpra said.
Australia to face shortage of nurses
The Australia government said the healthcare sector is expected to face a shortage of over 70,000 nurses by 2035, as the population is ageing and healthcare demands are rising.
Over the years, Australia has become increasingly reliant on foreign nurses.
In the year to June 30, 2024, 16,622 of 38,816 newly registered nurses in Australia were from overseas, ST reported.
This came up to about 43 per cent of the total.
Australia had 504,049 nurses as of the middle of last year.
Lure of Australian citizenship and PR status
Foreign nurses might acquire Australian permanent residency and even citizenship.
However, challenges abound.
High turnover rates among Australian healthcare workers are linked to poor workplace culture, inadequate work-life balance, shift work challenges, limited leave and pay, low nurse-to-patient ratios, and a lack of performance incentives, according to PubMed Central previously.
A study by Victoria University recommends improving compensation, reducing hospital workloads, and introducing more flexible study options, including part-time and online programmes, to better accommodate those balancing work and family commitments.
As Australia takes steps to streamline its immigration process for foreign nurses, experts stress that long-term solutions must focus on improving working conditions and retention strategies for the local workforce.
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