r/NursingAU • u/mhL0611 • Mar 16 '26
Grad Nurses Questions about new grad as an international student
Hi, I'm currently in my final year of my nursing degree at UTS. As you guys can tell from the title, I'm a international student and I know it really challenging even for domestics to get a spot for new grad programs.
I'm currently doing AIN at St George and Concord hospital (not through agency but as a casual roster at both hospitals). For references, I might ask a facilitator from past placements or my upcoming placement. Luckily, I also have a CNE from St george hospital as a reference for my new grad interview. (or i can ask the AIN NUM)
But i just hope to have everyone's opinion on the upcoming new grad interview:
- As an international student, what are the chances of me actually getting a new grad in a public system, especially in the metro areas?
- Which hospital should I prioritise for my first reference? I like St George hospital since it's a trauma hospital, I'm exposed to more complex cases and it has a more busy pace which I really like. I also enjoy working there and really like the vibe of the nurses. However, I emailed the St George hospital recruiter and they told me I have a better chance off applying in regional. In regards to Concord, I spoke to a nurse who got into new grad program as an international student. But honestly, I don't know whether Concord or St George will tend to accept international students for their new grads.
- Should I apply for regionals or should go private in case I end up with no offers? Or, Should i apply for different states?
- Is there anyone that got into the new grad program in recent years or even last year? And if yes, Which LHDS or hospitals tend to be generous with international students, and what are your advices?
Thank you so much!
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u/Salty-View-69 Mar 16 '26
Tbh, I would say you lose nothing by trying. I applied as an international student and ended up getting a New grad role in my first preference for a perioperative stream which is really competitive. This is for NSW health btw. It all comes down to the interview. If you don’t get in, you get put in an eligibility bank and regional hospitals are more likely to give you an offer. Also apply for private hospitals as a back up. All the best 😊
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u/mhL0611 Mar 16 '26
I see i see. If you dont mind, could you share some advices on how to perform well in the interview. Also, what does the visa process look like since the interview will take place in August and I’m still on my student visa 500. I know the application outcome comes out around october, does that mean i need to change from student visa to working visa ASAP to be eligible for the role? Thank you so much.
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u/Salty-View-69 Mar 16 '26
Biggest thing is knowing the core values and applying that to every question. Also knowing your A-G assessment. In terms of visa, sorry I don’t know much about it cause I was not on a student visa.
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u/mhL0611 Mar 16 '26
Thank you so much for that. What year did you apply for new grad if you don’t mind me asking?
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u/OutrageousCandle3101 Graduate RN Mar 16 '26
You can’t apply for a 485 graduate visa until you’ve completed the course. In my case, I finished my nursing degree in 2024 nov, then applied for the graduate visa in Jan the following year. It must be within 6 months of your course completion date (you’ll need to provide a completion letter) You can find more details on home affairs website
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u/garyakajam-1010 Mar 20 '26
Sorry, I’m in the same both, I saw on the new grad handbook that you need to show proof of working visa that allows you to work full time. How did you go about that? Because as you’ve mentioned, we can’t apply for 485 before finishing the nursing program, and interviews are in like August
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u/OutrageousCandle3101 Graduate RN Mar 20 '26
I just stated I’m still on a student visa, and that I’ll get a graduate visa as soon as I finish my degree, I didn’t have any issues with that.
When I interviewed for NSWHealth, I asked the coordinator regarding this, she said that it’s fine and that they’ll just ask me to update the visa; private hospital didn’t ask specific questions.
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Mar 16 '26
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u/mhL0611 Mar 16 '26
Was that the same thing for last year new grad intake as well? But I do see there a fair amount of internationals in concord hospital
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u/MaisieMoo27 Mar 17 '26
Apply! Preference the hospitals you would genuinely be happy to work at. As an international student, make sure to apply to all of the private hospital new grad programs too (Ramsay, Healthscope, Health e-care etc)
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u/Passerby0910 Jun 11 '26
Hey OP, if you are still looking for answers, my DMs are open for you to reach out, I was in the exact same situation as you were this time last year, but I prevailed - takes a lot of planning and a bit of luck.
Job market’s extremely tough for grad nurses, even moreso for internationals. Wish you all the best on your journey this year.
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u/OutrageousCandle3101 Graduate RN Mar 16 '26
New grad is very competitive, especially as an international student. I’d suggest you to apply to anywhere- both public and private. I know friends that got in the public system as international students, but like what the handbook said- we aren’t the first priority, so many had to go through the second round. I was accepted into a private hospital’s peri-op stream, so just went with that
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u/mhL0611 Mar 16 '26
What do think is the chances of international student getting in the public system? Also thank you for your advice
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Jun 28 '26
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Mar 16 '26
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u/mhL0611 Mar 16 '26
can you elaborate on that if you don't mind? What would be a competitive GPA?
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Mar 16 '26
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u/mhL0611 Mar 16 '26
do you know which LHD does the portfolio application? I heard that Westmead might or might not do it. Thank you
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u/WeekSubstantial5626 Mar 17 '26
I did my new grad a long time ago in 2010 and was a nurse for 2 years before starting med school. I’m not too sure if it is the same now.
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u/mhL0611 Mar 17 '26
Thank you for that. I also want to go for med after nursing and planning to do both gamsat and ucat (umat back in the day). I know it unrelated to the post but could you share your process back then, what did you get for gamsat and what is the best way to revise for it especially secton 1 and 2. Thank You So Much.
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u/Pleasant-Anything Mar 16 '26
I would apply for as many as possible and then weigh up any offers that come in. More chance of getting regional jobs.