Different areas within the health and community services industry have different requirements for English language scores. For example, professional registration as a nurse in Queensland requires IELTS 7. Other non-professional roles in the health and community services industry often require lower IELTS scores and the exact requirements may vary across employers.
View the questions below for the exact English language requirements of your chosen occupation.
You may need to talk with the professional body or your prospective employer for more information.
TAFE Queensland English Language and Literacy Service has a range of English language, literacy and numeracy services for people with English as a second language - some at no cost. For more information on this service Ph: (07) 3244 5488 or visit the TAFE website.
Private colleges also offer courses and tuition in English language skills on a fee-paying basis. For more information visit the Study In Australia website.
Tertiary preparation courses can help you to prepare for study at an Australian university. For example, you may choose to complete a Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation through TAFE Queensland which provides both language and literacy skills and research skills. For more information visit the TAFE website.
There are several Australian and Queensland Government departments and other agencies which can provide advice about recognition of your overseas qualifications. Check out the links and contacts below for more information about the steps you need to take to have your qualifications recognised in Queensland.
National Office of Overseas Skill Recognition (AEI-NOOSR)
The National Office of Overseas Skill Recognition (NOOSR) is part of Australian Education International (AEI), and provides information and services to help people have their overseas qualifications recognised in Australia. The AEI-NOOSR website provides useful information and links about study and work options, migrating to Australia, and comparisons of overseas qualifications to Australian qualifications. Services include:
For further assistance, contact the AEI-NOOSR Hotline on Ph: 1300 363 079 (within Australia) or Ph: +613 8341 3611 (for offshore callers international call rates apply). Alternatively, you can also email AEI-NOOSA or visit their website.
Queensland Government - Department of Education and Training
The Queensland Department of Education and Training (DET) provides advice on skills recognition for people with overseas qualifications. Learn more about the process of recognition and assessment at the DET website. To make an appointment and gain further information about overseas skill recognition in Queensland, contact DET directly on Ph: 1300 369 935.
Skilling Solutions Queensland
Skilling Solutions Queensland can provide services to people who meet the following criteria:
Skilling Solutions may be able to assist you with completing the Application Form for recognition of your qualifications as well as advising you of the steps you need to take. Visit the Skilling Solutions website for more information or Ph: 1300 654 687.
If you have difficulty communicating in English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on Ph: 131 450 (the cost of a local call). All non-English documents will need to be officially translated. Contact TIS for more information about how they can help you through the process. Translation support services can also be found on the DET website.
You may be eligible for financial help through the Assessment Subsidy For Overseas Trained Professionals program (ASDOT). ASDOT is designed to assist financially disadvantaged, overseas trained professionals. It provides financial support to cover the cost of assessments and/or examinations which must be passed to qualify for employment in certain professions in Australia. For more information visit the ASDOT page of the AEI-NOOSR website.
In many areas of the health industry in Queensland you need to obtain formal registration to practice as a health professional. Registration requirements vary across different health professions. Some of the health professional associations responsible for registration are listed below.
Nursing - Queensland Nursing Council (QNC)
The Queensland Nursing Council is responsible for registration for nurses in Queensland. For more information contact them by Ph: +617 3223 5110 or email.
Medical Practitioner - Medical Board of Queensland
To practice as a medical practitioner in Queensland you need to be registered by the Medical Board of Queensland. For more information contact them by Ph: +617 3234 0176 or email.
Radiation Therapy - Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR)
The Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR) is the national professional body responsible for the issue of a Statement of Accreditation for individuals with a qualification in Radiation Therapy. This AIR Statement of Accreditation is required for visa applications and also for Registration and Licensing purposes in Australia. For more information contact them by Ph: +613 9419 3336 or email.
Note: Further information about practising as a radiation therapist in Queensland is available through the Queensland Health website.
Speech Pathology - Speech Pathology Board of Queensland
Individuals wanting to practise as a speech pathologist in Queensland need to be registered with the Speech Pathology Board of Queensland. Overseas trained speech pathologists will be required to undertake an assessment by Speech Pathology Australia prior to applying for registration. For more information contact them by Ph: +617 3225 2508 or email.
Note: Further information is available from the Speech Pathology Australia website.
Audiology - Audiological Society of Australia (ASA)
The Audiological Society of Australia (ASA) is responsible for registration of individuals wanting to practice as audiologists in Australia. ASA's application procedures are based on enabling overseas-qualified audiologists to demonstrate their equivalency to Australian-qualified audiologists. For more information contact them by Ph: +613 9416 4606 or email.
Dietetics: Dietitians Association of Australia
The Dietetics Association of Australia is responsible for the registration of individuals wanting to practice dietetics in Australia. For more information contact them by Ph: 1800 812 942 (toll free within Australia) or email.
Social Work: Australian Association of Social Workers
The Australian Association of Social Workers is the official authority for assessment of overseas qualifications in social work, for the purpose of migration and employment in Australia. For more information contact them by Ph: +612 6270 7208 or email.
Other Allied Health Professions
Visit the Guide to Allied Health in Australia website.
Check out the links to online jobs boards in health and community services in Queensland at the Workforce Council social bookmarking website.
Visit the Queensland Government website for practical advice and information about living in Queensland. Find out more about working and living in Queensland at the Queensland Government's "Work, Live, Play" website.
Sunshine Coast TAFE provide a health industry pathways course specifically designed to attract health workers trained overseas yet not working in the health environment.
Bridgeworks Employment and Training provides an innovative HEAT Program
for skilled professionals (including health professionals) from a variety of overseas backgrounds. For more information phone 1300-366-634.
Gold Coast TAFE provides on-line courses to assist nurses from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to improve their English communication in a hospital environment.
Visit the Research and Publications page for information and links for overseas skilled health workers.
