Nurses and Engineers: Increased Job Opportunities in New Zealand and Australia

Saw an article on Manila Bulletin recently that says nurses and engineers are still being welcomed in New Zealand and Australia with increasing demand for overseas workers. This came with the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA). Aren't they lucky! I think I'm in the wrong line of work

Last week, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to raise awareness on the benefits of the agreement to the Cebu business community through a seminar held here.

According to the agreement, New Zealand will allow up to 100 Philippine nurses to work there as registered nurses at any one time for a period of three years.

Nurses will be given working visas even while they are undergoing the required bridging courses and exam.

New Zealand will also allow up to 20 Philippine farm managers and 20 Philippine engineering professionals to enter the country at any one time for a period of three years.

New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Andrew Matheson disclosed that the New Zealand government has also agreed to work with the Philippines to help develop the local dairy industry, an industry that currently supplies only about one percent of this country’s demand.

New Zealand and the Philippines may also enter into negotiations for a reciprocal working holiday scheme open to up to 100 citizens of each country. This will allow young people to stay for up to a year and work to support their extended vacation.

The Ambassador also announced that New Zealand, subject to certain conditions, would allow the entry of independent professional service suppliers for up to one year, and entry of business visitors, installers or servicers for up to three months in any calendar year.

“The trade negotiators have done their jobs and it is now up to businesses to take advantage of this agreement and let the benefits of the AANZFTA flow through to businesses and consumers,” said Matheson.