Britz in Oz for British Expats

Briton Julie Dutton must take an English test to work in Australia. She was born in Birmingham, educated in Bristol, speaks fluent English and holds a British passport � but Julie Dutton has been told she will have to sit an English language test if she wants to work in Australia.

�I think it�s just ridiculous,� Ms Dutton told The Times. �I am English, I was born in England, I speak English, I have a British passport, I was educated in Britain and I got my nursing degree in Britain, so I just couldn�t believe it when they told me. I think it�s just a joke � this is just a mad, stupid policy.�

The policy is the same as in Britain, where Australians are required to pass an English language test to qualify for work.

The plight of the British nurse caught the attention of the Premier of New South Wales, who said today that her situation was absurd. Click here for link

An Australian doctor is being prevented from practising in the UK because she has not passed an English test, even though it is her native language.
Dr Marti Watt has been given a job at a surgery in Witney, Oxfordshire.

But the General Medical Council has refused to give the GP permission to work until she takes an English test.

Her local British MP said the case is ludicrous and he is contacting the secretary of state for health asking for a change in the regulations relating to the appointment of GPs. Click here for link