New Brunswick Partners with Indonesia to Recruit Nurses and Care Workers
On This Page You Will Find
- Overview of the New Brunswick–Indonesia MOU
- Why the province is recruiting from Indonesia
- What support New Brunswick will provide to candidates
- How employers and applicants can benefit
- Immigration pathways for health professionals
- Frequently asked questions
New Brunswick and Indonesia Finalise New Recruitment Partnership
New Brunswick has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian government that will make it easier to recruit trained nurses and personal support workers to the province. This is the first formal health-care recruitment partnership between Indonesia and any Canadian jurisdiction.
The agreement builds on a letter of intent signed in July 2024 and establishes a structured system for identifying, supporting and hiring Indonesian health-care professionals.
The provincial government says this partnership is part of its strategy to address long-standing staffing shortages across the health-care system.
Why New Brunswick Is Recruiting from Indonesia
Health Minister John Dornan says internationally educated nurses remain essential to stabilising New Brunswick’s health human resources. The province has recruited more than 1,300 internationally educated nurses since 2019, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and personal support workers.
Demand remains high, especially in hospitals, long-term care facilities and community care settings. Indonesia represents a new source of trained health professionals who meet international standards and are seeking international work opportunities.
The Indonesian government also supports the partnership, noting that the agreement protects workers while allowing them to gain valuable international experience.
What the MOU Allows
The memorandum of understanding creates a clear framework for the recruitment and deployment of Indonesian nurses and care workers. Key elements include:
- Support for candidates on foreign credential recognition
- Guidance through immigration processes
- A transparent and accountable recruitment system
- Province-led missions that connect employers with candidates
With the MOU in place, New Brunswick employers can now issue job offers to identified candidates who participated in the province’s recruitment mission to Indonesia in October 2024.
How New Brunswick Will Support Indonesian Candidates
New Brunswick will help candidates navigate the steps required to work in the province, including:
- Understanding licensing requirements
- Completing foreign qualification assessments
- Following provincial immigration pathways
- Connecting with employers offering long-term positions
This support is designed to remove barriers that internationally educated health professionals often face when entering the Canadian workforce.
Immigration Options for Health-Care Workers
Indonesian nurses and care workers recruited through this partnership may be eligible for the New Brunswick Priority Occupations category under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program.
To qualify, candidates generally need:
- A full-time, non-seasonal job offer from an eligible employer
- Work experience in the same or a related NOC within the last five years
- Education that matches NOC requirements
- Language scores of at least CLB 4
- A genuine intention to live and work permanently in New Brunswick
Eligible health-care NOC codes include:
- 31301 – Registered nurses
- 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
- 33101 – Medical laboratory assistants and related occupations
- 33102 – Nurse aides and patient service associates
- 33109 – Other health support occupations
- 44101 – Home support workers and caregivers
This category offers a direct and streamlined pathway to permanent residence for candidates selected through official recruitment missions.
What Happens Next
With the agreement signed, New Brunswick is now able to actively place Indonesian candidates with provincial employers. Ongoing recruitment missions and employer partnerships will determine how many health-care workers arrive through this pathway.
Anyone interested in working in New Brunswick’s health-care system can find information online, including job postings and guidance for internationally educated professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the New Brunswick–Indonesia MOU?
The agreement creates a formal system for recruiting Indonesian nurses and personal support workers to help address health-care staffing shortages in New Brunswick. It establishes a cooperative approach covering recruitment, worker protection and navigation support for licensing and immigration.
Who can be recruited under this new partnership?
The focus is on trained nurses and personal support workers, but other health-care occupations may be considered depending on New Brunswick’s needs. Candidates must meet provincial licensing, immigration and employer requirements.
How will New Brunswick support Indonesian health professionals?
The province will help candidates understand credential recognition requirements, guide them through immigration steps, and connect them with employers offering permanent positions. This support reduces barriers for entry into the provincial workforce.
Is there a pathway to permanent residence for recruited workers?
Yes. Many candidates will qualify under the New Brunswick Priority Occupations category if they receive a job offer during an official recruitment mission. This PNP stream provides a clear pathway to permanent residence for eligible health-care workers.
When will recruitment under the MOU begin?
Recruitment began informally during a 2024 mission to Indonesia, but the new MOU allows employers to formally issue job offers. Additional missions and hiring activities are expected to follow now that the agreement is in place.
