After the publication of the skills shortage in Australia, a number of complaints from illegal recruitment victims rose. This urged the authorities to issue warnings against illegal recruitment and employment-related problems in Australia.

Because of this, Philippine Ambassador to Canberra Cristina Ortega proposed to Australian officials on how the Philippines and Australia could undertake joint training of skills that may be useful for both countries.

In the case of nurses, she said that Philippine-trained nurses may not be registered and hired even if they have experience in the Philippines or overseas, particularly in non-Commonwealth countries.

The Ambassador explained that Philippine-trained nurses are required to undertake bridging courses that usually last for six to 12 months because of the non-equivalency qualifications between the two countries. In line with this, she added that the embassy has lobbied that the bridging courses be taken in the Philippines with the counterpart universities/colleges.

“This will give protection to Filipino nurses and ensure that they are gainfully employed once they are deployed in Australia,” Ortega said.