Do Australians need a visa to work in UK healthcare?

Thousands of Australians choose to visit and work in the UK every year and there are lucrative work opportunities available for qualified healthcare professionals. Australians can live in the UK without a visa for up to six months, but you won't be able to do any work, whether it's paid, unpaid or a volunteer position. If you're Australian and want to work in the UK, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK government or a specialist recruitment agency can do this for you. In this article, we answer the question 'do Australians need a visa to work in the UK?', looking at what the visa requirements are, how to apply for a visa and what opportunities there are.

Why do Australians need a visa to work in the UK?

There are several reasons why Australians need to apply for a work visa before they arrive in the UK. If you're a qualified clinician, working in the UK can be a brilliant option and employers like the National Health Service are always looking for experienced locum staff. Your visa will also allow you to travel to and from the UK and will require you to follow the laws of the country for the duration of the stay. You will need to be able to prove your identity, hold a passport and prove you can afford to live there. You might also need to pay the healthcare surcharge for access to the NHS.

UK work visas for Australians

Australians who are working in the UK will need to apply for a visa before they arrive and in some cases, they may need a UK employer to sponsor them. There are several different types of work visas available for Australians working in the UK and it is important to apply for the right one for your circumstances. You can check whether you need a UK visa using the UK government's visa checker tools. If you have a connection to the UK, for example, if one of your parents was born in the UK or you were born in a commonwealth country before 1st January 1983, you may be able to apply for the right of abode in the UK. Right of abode means you can live in the UK without a visa.

Skilled work visa (tier 2)

One of the most common working visas for Australians in the UK is a skilled work visa (tier 2) and with this visa, you can stay in the UK for up to five years. You can also apply as many times as you want for this visa if you meet the eligibility requirements. To apply for this visa you will need to work for a UK employer who has been approved by the government and have a certificate of sponsorship from them. You must also do a job that is on the list of eligible occupations, which includes a number of UK healthcare jobs such as: - health services and public health managers and directors - medical radiographers - occupational therapists - podiatrists - pharmacists - psychologists - nurses - midwives - mental health practitioners - and more

Working Holiday Visas

A number of Australian professionals also choose to visit the UK on a working holiday visa. The UK and Australian governments announced a new Working Holiday Visa in 2021 which lasts for 2 years and is available for individuals who are aged between 18 and 35. To be eligible for this visa you will also need to have at least £2530 or $4628 in your bank account for thirty days in a row. The scheme has been extended to people who are 35, rather than 30 as part of this free trade deal.

UK temporary worked visa

There is also a temporary worker visa for Australians, which is a short term visa option. Also known as a Government Authorised Exchange, this visa means you can work in the UK as long as the job isn't permanent and you may also be able to bring family members with you. You will need a certificate of sponsorship for this visa and they can be extended for up to six years. You will also need to score 40 points in the application and be able to prove you have at least £945 or $1301 in savings.

Applying for a UK visa

You can apply for a visa through the UK government website or through a specialist recruitment agency like Globe Locums. It's important to understand the different vaccination rules and travel restrictions that might be applicable to you too. The Australian High Commission in the UK also advises that you wait until you have a visa before you make travel commitments or book flights. There are also a number of fees you will have to pay for your visa application.

UK medical jobs for Australians

With a huge backlog of cases and increased pressures after the pandemic, the National Health Service in the UK, healthcare recruitment agencies are seeing a huge rise in the number of vacancies. From speech and language therapy jobs to radiography jobs and locum doctor jobs, there are vacancies across the NHS for qualified and enthusiastic staff. It can also be a good idea to get advice from other Australian locum professionals who have already gone through the visa application process. Many Australian healthcare professionals find it simple to find work in the UK and with no language barriers and a familiar culture, it can be a smooth transition.

Register with us

If you're a healthcare professional who has been thinking about working in the UK, at Globe Locums, we can handle every part of the process, from applying for a visa to finding a job to readjusting to your new working life. Register with us today to start your medical career in the UK. If you have any other questions like 'do Australians need a visa to work in the UK?', don't hesitate to ask our team.