Why work in Western NSW
At Western NSW LHD, we pride ourselves on our diverse workforce and value our internationally-trained staff and their contribution to our service and our communities.
We're looking for overseas medical, nursing and midwifery professionals who are registered or close to completing the AHPRA registration process and have an IELTS score 7 or over. We're particularly interested in nurses who have triage training and ED experience.
Join us and find a rewarding career in our regional Australian communities, where you can make a real impact and shape the future of rural healthcare.
Our location
Western NSW Local Health District (LHD) is the largest of all 15 LHDs in NSW. We cover almost 250,000km2 - similar to the size of England and are home to more than 276,000 people.
Access is easy by both road and air, with multiple direct daily flight services to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne from our major regional centres. Western NSW is not far away– wherever you are in the world.
Explore our region.
Our hospitals
We have three large hospitals, located in Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo. We also have four hospitals, two at Forbes and Parkes (collectively known as the Lachlan Health Service), and one each at Mudgee and Cowra that conduct medical procedures. We have a range of smaller hospitals in our region and we also provide residential aged care to more than 400 people through 25 Multipurpose Services (MPS).
A great place to live and work
Our region is so diverse, there's something for everyone. You can create a lifestyle where you can live your best life, focusing on the things that really matter to you. We have many international communities settled in our region and we can connect you to these groups.
Learn about the Western NSW region and unique lifestyle.
Incentives
We provide some of the best incentives available in Australia. In certain positions, we offer up to $20,000 to assist in your relocation and set up your new home, provide 3 months accommodation and an additional $10,000 every year you stay, on top of your award wage.
Find out about our incentives
Visa pathways
We can sponsor 186 DE PR visa as well as provide accommodation for a few months to get you started, if you have the required skills to work in one of our smaller Multipurpose Service sites.
We also have visa pathways that can lead to permanent residency for international applicants aged between 45 – 52 through the Orana DAMA. Read more below. If you're older than 52, please contact us and we can make a special application on your behalf.
Support
Our Candidate Experience Team supports you every step of the way in your journey to work with us, from sponsorship to visas, to travel logistics and organising housing.
If you have AHPRA registration and we receive your application, the next step will be an interview, completed live online. If you're successful, reference checks will take place before an interim offer is made so we can submit sponsorship application and you can start your visa process.
Once your visa is approved you can start arranging travel and we can work towards a start date. When you arrive you will spend the first four weeks in intensive training, so we can ensure you are confident in Australian standards and practices.
CREST Simulation centre
CREST incorporates the latest innovative teaching technologies including life-like mannequins, virtual reality and augmented reality training programs to provide provide nurses and other clinicians with high-quality training and education experiences to work safely and confidently in a rural setting.
International nurses into our District spend four weeks training at CREST before starting in their positions. Nurses can orientate together, practice clinical skills, and at the same time develop life-long peer networks and friendships that will support them wherever they work across Western NSW.
Read more about the CREST Simulation Centre.
Common questions
How many years experience do I need to become a nurse in Australia?
This depends on your visa. A 482 visa is 2 years and a 186 visa experience required is 3 years.
How do I become a nurse in Australia?
You can find out more about becoming a Registered Nurse in Australia here:
What is AHPRA and how do I register?
Find out more about the AHPRA registration process.
Do I need IELTS or another English test?
To work for our district you do need achieve a score of over 70% in IELTS.
There are other English proficiency tests that we may accept. Please ask us when you apply.
What visas do you offer?
We sponsor the 482 Temporary Skills Shortage visa. We support our existing team when seeking permanent residency after they have spent three years working with us on the 482 visa to transition to Permanent Residency. Certain positions offer the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme - Direct Entry scheme visa
If you are over 45 years of age we also have a DAMA agreement for certain locations in our district. Read more in the next tab.
I am over 45 – do you have a DAMA agreement?
Yes! Our District has positions available through the Orana DAMA agreement with Australian Government. This is a five year program where candidates up to 52 years of age, spend 3 years on the 482 temporary skills shortage - labour stream visa, before applying for 2 years on 186 permanent residency visa within the ORANA region. WNSWLHD facilities in ORANA include:
Registered Nurse candidates have to present a current IELTS and ANMAC assessment on the transition application from 482 to 186 PR visa.
If you already have a 482 visa, to be on the pathway to 186 PR, you will need to apply for a new 482 labour agreement visa endorsed by Orana DAMA, and you will need this visa for 3 years before applying for a 186 PR visa. Time on a non-endorsed 482 visa does not count towards the 3 year total.
I had to complete a tertiary qualification in Australia to gain AHPRA registration. Will my previous service be recognised?
Unfortunately not. If you have had to complete new/additional tertiary qualifications in order to gain AHPRA, the experience you gain after AHPRA registration will count towards your pay grade, not experience prior to AHPRA.
Contact Western NSW LHD Recruitment
Express your interest in working in Western NSW.