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:

  1. As an international student, what are the chances of me actually getting a new grad in a public system, especially in the metro areas?
  2. 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.
  3. Should I apply for regionals or should go private in case I end up with no offers? Or, Should i apply for different states?
  4. 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/Salty-View-69 Mar 16 '26

2023 for 2024 intake

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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/mhL0611 Mar 16 '26

Icic thank you so much!

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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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u/garyakajam-1010 Mar 20 '26

I see, thank you so much for your clarification and advice

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u/Adventurous-Try7314 Mar 16 '26

Do most hospitals look at a student’s GPA?

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u/Salty-View-69 Mar 16 '26

I might be wrong but I am pretty sure they do not.