How to make the move
If you are considering moving to Queensland from interstate or overseas, you will need to investigate your eligibility to practise, the requirements for obtaining a visa and your obligations should we offer to sponsor your visa.
Eligible applicants may be offered support in the form of relocation assistance of up to AU$ 10 000.
Qualification assessment and registration information
As an occupational therapist, psychologist or speech and language pathologist, you will need to have your qualifications assessed and provide evidence that you are eligible for registration to practise in Australia.
Professional associations that can assess your qualifications are:
- Australian Psychological Society
- Australian Association of Occupational Therapists
- Speech Pathology Australia
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council
In Queensland the registering boards for these positions are:
- Psychologists Board of Queensland
- Speech and Language Board of Queensland
- Occupational Therapists Board of Queensland
- Queensland Nursing Council
Before you can practice, you will need to register with one of these boards.
Reciprocal rights
If you are already registered in New Zealand, you may be eligible for the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement.
Some allied health specialities may have reciprocal rights with other countries. The Australian associations will need to assess your qualifications for registration.
Immigration and visas
We may be able to offer you sponsorship on a Temporary Business Long Stay Visa (Sub-class 457) as a temporary resident for up to four years. We prefer to use Temporary Business Long Stay Visa (Sub-class 457) for overseas staff to be employed with Disability Services Queensland.
This visa also enables your partner and children to come with you to Australia.
Your Temporary Business Long Stay Visa (Sub-class 457) should be lodged electronically so that time to process your application is reduced. You as the applicant and any secondary applicants such as your spouse, partner and or dependant children must apply for and be granted a visa in order to travel to and or remain in Australia on a temporary basis under Visa 457.
For more information about visas, go to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.
Relocation assistance
Moving to a new country or state is a big deal – so we’ve developed our relocation package, to make it a little easier.
Some of the things we may be able to assist you with financially include:
- economy class airfares
- removal expenses
- some financial support for immigration visas
- temporary accommodation.
The terms and conditions of our relocation assistance package and visa sponsorship are detailed in the document, Making the move – sponsorship, visa and relocation information. You can contact us to be sent a copy of this document.
Please note that under the Public Service Act 2008 a person is eligible to be appointed permanently only if the person is:
- an Australian citizen; or
- resides in Australia and has permission under Commonwealth law to remain in Australia indefinitely; or
- a New Zealand citizen who has a special category visa or a right to be granted a special category visa under the Migration Act 1958 (Commonwealth).
Last updated April 2009

