I’m fed up with life in the UK (and the climate!) and want to build a better future for my two young children, aged 5 and 7, with my husband. I need advice. I’m a nurse and my husband is a media salesman. We are 32 and 35.

Answer

Registered nurses are still very much in demand in Australia so you are in a good position to consider migration. Firstly you would need to decide whether a move to Australia would be a permanent or temporary arrangement for you and your family.
Many hospitals will offer sponsorship of nurses under a temporary S/C 457 visa. This is probably the quickest way in but you are restricted to only working for the sponsoring hospital and if the job becomes redundant or the sponsorship runs its course then you will be expected to leave Australia or find an alternative sponsor pretty quickly. Some employers are willing to sponsor nurses for permanent migration, usually after they have worked under a s/C 457 visa for a few years.

If you do not have, or do not wish to consider sponsorship by a particular hospital then you would need to look at Skilled Independent or Skilled State Sponsored migration. In order to qualify for these pathways, you would need to meet the requirements for a skills assessment and meet the points mark for the respective visa (120 for Independent and 100 for State Sponsored). Unfortunately, most states have suspended their sponsorship programme at the moment while they work on a new system of State Migration Plans. These are due to be rolled out some time in the next few months and each state will set out its own requirements based on the skills shortages within that state.
The first step, if you are looking at permanent migration, would be the skills assessment. Nurses are assessed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) and you will be expected to provide documentation which shows you meet their requirements. This includes evidence of formal qualifications, registration, employment, English language etc.

If you are looking to use a migration agent then you need to make sure they are registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), who regulate and police the profession. Which RMA you use may be based on personal choice, financial incentives, reputation or recommendation but if they are registered then they will be bound be a Code of Conduct, which will ensure you are properly treated.
Different migration agencies have different methods of operation but a decent agent should be able to offer you a free basic assessment as an initial option.

About the expert
Emma Smith-Jones is an experienced migration agent with expertise in full assessment, skills assessment, skilled, family and employment sponsored visas.
Tel: 0845711613
Email: emma@gristint.com
Company name: Grist International Pty ltd