The Australian Government is calling on retired, part-time and under-employed health care workers to put their names forward through an Expression of Interest to support the health workforce and the Australian community. Areas of work are across prioritised health care sectors and communities that need help most. This includes aged care and indigenous health.
By adding your details to the Department’s COVID-19 pandemic response workforce register, you will be considered for a range of opportunities where you can put your skills and passion to work, and may be able to help contribute to the management of the COVID-19 public health emergency. You will also be sent a list of job openings that will support the COVID-19 response.
Before you complete the expression of interest (EOI) you should ensure you are eligible to apply. Please refer to the Questions and Answers fact sheet for information regarding the minimum eligibility requirements.
Minimum requirements
Professional registration
As a minimum, you need to be registered in your health profession. This includes people on Ahpra’s pandemic subregister.
If you are unsure of your registration status you can check using Ahpra’s registration checker. Take note of your registration number.
Students and non-registered nurses are eligible to fill in the EOI for the COVID-19 pandemic response noting that you cannot work in nursing roles until you are registered. In the interim you can assist as personal care workers.
Up to date with COVID-19 vaccination
For placement, all applicants need to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations in line with the requirements of the state or territory in which they wish to practise.
What information we need from you
There are some questions about the role you had when you last worked, or if you are still working. If you are working part time then you can indicate your current role. We also ask how long since you worked in that role.
We ask some questions about your preferred area of practice to allow us to identify people with recent clinical practice. We may ask further questions on specialty practice in later recruitment stages.
The question on COVID-19 vaccination training is particularly relevant for those with an interest in vaccinating and for some roles in primary care. It is not a requirement for many other roles.
You will find some questions about National Police and Working with Children (or equivalent) checks. Not every role requires both of these but if they are required, knowing your status will help with onboarding and to ensure applicants with relevant checks have the opportunities to work in settings where they are most needed.
Nominating where you would like to work
There are opportunities across different sectors of the health and aged care system. While many employers have vacancies for full-time or near full-time work across all shifts, we understand that people may not be able to commit to shift work or more than a limited number of hours per week - we ask you for your preferences and availability. Others may not be able to travel very far and again you are asked to tell us what you can do.
Aged care
Aged care has a variety of roles that can be filled by health professionals with a current focus on registered nurses. If you do not feel able to do clinical work there may be other opportunities in aged care that will utilise your knowledge and skills.
Indigenous health
Opportunities are available in urban, regional, rural and remote areas. While it can be an advantage to have previously worked in Indigenous Health it is not a requirement.
Primary health care, vaccination clinics and virtual care
We need staff in all these areas. To work in vaccination clinics you will require evidence of having completed vaccination training. This may also be useful for some primary health care settings. One of the positives from the COVID-19 pandemic has been the growth in virtual care. As an increasing percentage of the population is cared for at home, including people with COVID-19, there has and continues to be growth in virtual services. Care in some of these areas can even be done from your own home.
Regional, rural and remote
Some applicants may be prepared to travel to regional, rural and remote areas from their current location. To work in remote areas previous experience will be a considerable advantage. If you are unsure about your suitability CRANAplus can provide you with further guidance.
Submitting your EOI
Your EOI will be forwarded to Recruitment, Consulting & Staffing Association (RCSA) who may be able to link you with agencies requesting staff. An agency may then contact you to discuss the available options and requirements for the relevant roles available. Applicants will also be sent a list by email each week of all available opportunities that you can apply for.
If you require any additional information about the opportunities available or the recruitment process:
Call 1800 979 626 or email healthcandidates@rsca.com.au
Learn more about Ahpra's pandemic subregister.