Registered Mental Health Nurse
Victoria’s nursing sector
There are approximately 11,400 Registered Mental Health Nurses in Australia with Victoria’s share at approximately 3750.
Victoria is currently offering visa sponsorship in the allied health sector for Registered Mental Health Nurses. For a description of the tasks and duties performed by Registered Mental Health Nurses, visit the Australian Skills Recognition Information page on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's website.
Earning potential
According to the Australian Government’s Job Search website, average gross weekly wages for a Registered Mental Health Nurse are A$1250.
Wages will vary according to your level of skill and qualification. For more information about your wage earning potential, visit some of the specialty jobseeker sites listed below under finding a job.
Licensing and registration
Mental health nurses must be registered to work in Victoria. For information contact:
Nurses Board of Victoria
595 Little Collins St, Melbourne
VIC, 3000, AUS
Tel: +61 3 8635 1200
Email: registration@nbv.org.au
Website: www.nbv.org.au
Employers
Registered Mental Health Nurses are employed in public and private hospitals, nursing homes and the general community.
Industry contacts
Professional bodies and industry associations are a good source of information about nursing in Victoria.
The following bodies may be relevant to Registered Mental Health Nurses:
- The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council provides regulatory guidelines for the nursing sector. It also conducts skills assessments for overseas trained nurses.
- The Royal College of Nursing is the peak organisation for nurses. It hosts nursing expos and professional development workshops as well as engaging in lobbying on health policy issues.
- The Australian Nursing Federation is the union for nurses. It includes a Victorian branch.
Tip
We strongly advise you not to apply for jobs until your visa to live and work in Australia has been issued. The visa application process can take many months, and employers are unlikely to choose you for a job if you do not know when you will arrive in Australia.
Finding a job
Specialty job seeker sites:
- Jobs4Nurses.com lists nursing vacancies
- Nursing Jobs also lists nursing vacancies
- The Healthwork site is aimed more generally at health professionals.
To search for Victorian recruiters who specialise in recruiting Registered Mental Health Nurses, visit the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association's Member Index.
For more general information on Victoria’s job market, including where and how to find jobs, and workplace culture, visit our Working & Employment section.
Migrating to Victoria
To find out about how to migrate to Australia, including information about visa nomination from the Victorian Government, visit our Visas & Immigrating section.
Skill Assessment Information
In order to migrate to Victoria, you will also need to have your skills assessed as part of the application process. For more information, see the Registered Mental Health Nurse Assessment Information Sheet.
Victoria
Lourdes Serios' Story
Registered Nurse
Immigrated from Philippines
"I absolutely love my nursing job. I came as an international student, it was a great opportunity for me."
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Last updated: 27 July 2009
State Government of Victoria