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Delivering a Healthy WA
Nursing and midwifery in Western Australia

Requirements to work in WA

A man sat against a tree playing a didgeridoo with Perth CBD skyscrapers in the background

To be eligible for employment as a nurse or a midwife in Western Australia, you must obtain the following:

  • professional registration with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Western Australia (NMBWA)
  • a criminal record clearance and pass a working with children screening
  • have Australian or New Zealand citizenship, Australian permanent residency or a visa that allows you to work in Australia.

Registration

Nurses or midwives registered in another state or territory of Australia or in New Zealand are eligible to apply for registration in Western Australia under mutual recognition with the Nurses and Midwives Board of WA.

Nurses and midwives not currently registered in Australia or New Zealand should contact the Nurses and Midwives Board of WA (NMBWA). The NMBWA can answer all queries about your eligibility or application for registration. They can also advise you about any conditions attached to an overseas application for registration such as the need to sit an English language test or complete a registration bridging course.

WA Health cannot advise you in regard to your application for registration.

Criminal screening

Before starting work with WA Health, all potential employees need to pass a criminal record clearance and those who will work in an area that cares for children (under the age of 18) will also need to pass a working with children check (external site).

Working visas

We welcome the diversity and wealth of experience that overseas applicants bring to our hospitals and health services.

There are a number of visa options available to nurses and midwives entering WA.

WA Health is able to assist with sponsorship for temporary or permanent visas. Sponsorship is currently only negotiated with experienced nurses and midwives applying for positions in areas of critical shortage, ie midwifery, mental health, paediatrics, and regional areas.

To apply for sponsorship, you must do the following:

  1. Get registered as a Registered Nurse or Midwife with the Nurses and Midwives Board of WA
  2. Apply for a full-time job
  3. When successful in being offered a job - negotiate sponsorship with the employing hospital/health service

Enrolled nurses are not eligible for sponsorship in the metropolitan area. Sponsorship for enrolled nurses may be negotiated on an individual basis for positions in hospitals in country regional WA via the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 119/857). As enrolled nurses are paid under the minimum salary requirement for sponsorship - it is unlikely that sponsorship will be offered. Enrolled nursing opportunities with WA Country Health Service (WACHS).

Overseas registered nurses and midwives need to obtain WA registration with the Nurses and Midwives Board of WA prior to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (external site) approving the sponsorship visa.

You can also apply independently for a working visa. For further advice and assistance about which visa suits you please contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

We are unable to assist with sponsorship for a visa for nurses or midwives to complete bridging courses, English language testing or any other training or education based in WA.

More about moving to WA:

» Why live and work in WA?
» Bridging your registration
» Working for WA Health