IELTS New Requirement for Nurses

The problem in English proficiency now happens in Australia wherein most foreign student nurses who came from India are being deported from Australia. There are 400 students from Asian countries like India, China, Thailand and Philippines experienced this situation. The authorities from Australia have raised the minimum English language standards. Because Australians are now following UK in the implementation of the standards in written and speaking knowledge in English, it is now a requirement for allowing work permits and citizenship. The Nursing and Midwifery Board have raised the International English Language Testing System minimum score from 6.5 to 7th level. In a score of 7, a student has to be more proficient and a competent speaker.

The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) assisted the nursing students by declaring a change in registration requirements that is absolute bureaucratic debacle. According to ANF Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick the goal posts have been changed so this will result to students struggle in paying their loans on nursing salaries in India. Prince Joseph, an Indian nursing student said that he already finished an 18-month course in Ballarat University. With the new implementation, he must meet the Australian standards for a registered nurse. To be able for him to qualify, he must undergo the eligibility programme as a good speaker otherwise he will face the deportation.

The Indian nursing student already spent about ASD 25,000 to be a registered nurse. But at present there is no registration and no job. For him that is prejudice. Notice was not given to them in the first place. [via timesofindia.indiatimes.com]