Overseas recruitment is one strategy employed by the NSW public health system to address shortages of health professionals.
In August 2008, the NSW Ministry of Health first formed a panel of commercial recruitment agencies known as the Panel of Overseas Recruitment Agencies (PORA).
The purpose of the panel is to provide quality assurance, cost effectiveness and standardisation in the process of overseas recruitment.
From 11 November 2018, the PORA will no longer be operational in line with the expiry of the Deed of Agreement. Recruitment of overseas trained health professionals is now a matter for local health districts and networks. Queries regarding the PORA can be directed to MOH-HealthRecruit@health.nsw.gov.au.