Careers in Health

Your profession may require New Zealand registration and an Annual Practicing Certificate. If so, this will be needed before you can start work and will also be required for your visa application.

In New Zealand, some health professionals are also registered health practitioners under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCAA). Not all health professions are regulated under the Act although this does not imply that a profession lacks professional standards. Some are not regulated because they pose little risk of harm to the public; some are not regulated because they work under the supervision of a regulated profession; some are regulated in other ways. For example, they may be regulated through their employer or self-regulated by their profession.

Processing times for registration applications can vary so check the processing times directly with your registration board and plan ahead.

Links to New Zealand Registration Bodies

• Chiropractic Board
• Dental Council
• Dietitians Board
• Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand
• Medical Radiation Technologists Board
• Medical Council of New Zealand
• Midwifery Council
• Nursing Council of New Zealand
• Occupational Therapy Board
• Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board
• Osteopathic Council
• Paramedic Council
• Pharmacy Council
• Physiotherapy Board
• Podiatrists Board
• Psychologists Board
• Psychotherapists Board

Internationally qualified nurses may be required to complete a Competency Assessment Programme in order to gain their New Zealand registration. Find more information on the Pathway for health professionals to nursing jobs in New Zealand.

All health professionals are in high demand and there are several visa pathways available. For an overview of visa pathways for health professionals and their families, visit the Immigration NZ website.

To find out if the role you want to work in is on the Green List, use Immigration NZ's Green List tool for more information.

To learn more about what other visa options are available to you, visit Immigration NZ's Visa Options page.

We also offer free immigration advice for health professionals with complex visa needs - feel free to talk to our team directly, and we can help.

Job hunting can be difficult if your role is called something different over here, which is why we've pulled together a glossary of names for certain types of roles, and their ANZCO codes to more easily identify them. 

Before you fly

There’s a broad range of locations in Aotearoa New Zealand to call home. If you haven’t already, use our interactive map to find an area of the country you’d like to live in.

Once you’ve chosen a location, you may want to check out a list of schools, accommodation and transport options in your preferred locations.

We have some further information for you to help with the decision. 

Cost of living

Immigration NZ has a cost of living calculator that can help you get an idea of what your income and expenses could be.

Shipping of belongings

We have strict rules about what can be brought into Aotearoa New Zealand. The government provides advice about how to avoid problems with border clearance.

Pets

Aotearoa New Zealand requires that all pets comply with the Ministry of Primary Industries standards. ​If you want to bring your pet with you on your trip, you must check the specific requirements relating to imports from your country of origin. Please also note that not all rental properties accept pets.

Insurance

Moving to a new country can be stressful and costly. You may wish to look into you insurance options to cover yourself for the unexpected.

Buying or renting a house

House ownership: Use the “Help us assess if you can buy a house to live in“ tool to determine if you can buy a house in Aotearoa New Zealand.​

How to rent a house: The rental market in Aotearoa New Zealand is regulated by the government under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. If you are renting for the first time you will need to sign an agreement with the landlord and pay a bond for up to four weeks rent in advance. The bond is lodged with the governments Tenancy Services. At the end of the tenancy, you will receive your bond back minus any damage's costs or unpaid rent. Aotearoa protects long term tenancies. Rules about changing the terms of the tenancy agreement are available on tenancy.govt.nz's changes to notice periods page.​

Banking

You can open a bank account here before you travel but will need to visit a branch to activate it once you arrive – this can be done with through most major banks in Aotearoa New Zealand.

You need a visa that allows you to stay in the country for some time such as a work, residence, or student visa. You may wish to provide the bank with a reference letter from your current bank which incudes a credit score or rating. Health New Zealand can provide you with a letter of a confirmed work address to speed up the process.​​

To open a bank account you will need the following:​

• An identify document – NZ ID or passport​
• Proof of address – could be your current overseas address but will need to provide a permanent address in Aotearoa​
• A NZ IRD (Internal Revenue Department) number – if you don’t have one yet, you can use your tax number or tax declaration ​
  from your country of origin​
• Proof of your visa – could be work, residence, or student visa​

Tax

All personal income is taxed. If you are a New Zealand tax resident, you will need to pay income tax on all income you receive from New Zealand and overseas. You can use a calculator to work out what tax you will pay in Aotearoa. You will need to have an IRD number before you can start.​

KiwiSaver is a savings scheme, administered by the NZ government, to help people save for their retirement. KiwiSaver is currently only available to NZ residents, permanent residents or citizens, but if you are eligible, Health New Zealand will make deductions ​to the IRD who pass your contribution to the KiwiSaver provider.

IRD Numbers

You can apply for an IRD number as soon as you arrive – this is similar to a Social Security, SIN, or National Insurance number. You can easily apply online through the IRD numbers for individuals page on the Inland Revenue website.

Getting connected to phone and internet plans

A variety of companies provide internet and phone connections. Immigration NZ provides advice about how to get connected once you arrive.

Getting a driver’s licence

If you are planning to drive in New Zealand, it’s important to get to know the New Zealand road rules. Driving on your overseas driver’s licence is usually acceptable for the first 12 months, but following this you will need to convert it to a New Zealand driver’s licence. You can find out more information on Waka Kotahi’s Driving in New Zealand page.

Libraries

There is a network of public libraries across Aotearoa. You and your family are welcome to visit in person, or download e-books and audio books online with your membership.​

Use of the English language

The English language lexicon has become highly advanced in Aotearoa New Zealand. We suggest becoming familiar ​with how certain words are used.​

Public holidays

There are 12 public holidays each year.​

Dental Care

General dental care for people over 18 years is not funded by the government in New Zealand. Basic dental care for eligible school children is free up to 18 years of age.

​Dentists are distributed across Aotearoa.

Accident Compensation Corporation ​

Here in Aotearoa New Zealand we fund healthcare differently. The Accident Compensation Corporation provides comprehensive, no-fault personal injury cover for New Zealanders and visitors. ACC is funded by the government and the NZ public.​

As a clinician, you can lodge claims on behalf of your patients. You must check with your manager about how to lodge a claim in Health New Zealand. ​

ACC provides general information about the scheme for clinicians. ACC provides a series of options for clinicians to learn more about the scheme, and claims. Online learning. Foundational webinars.​

Cole’s Medical Practice in NZ gives practical advice to doctors in New Zealand (whether international or NZ medical graduates). The Goodfellow unit has resources about certifying work capacity after injury. ​

Emergencies

Ambulance and Fire: For emergencies, dial 111​

Police: Dial 111 - For emergencies (if something is happening now or has just happened, or if you or someone’s safety is at risk)​. For non-urgent things that you think the NZ Police should know, dial 105.​

Accident and Emergency services: All public hospitals have an emergency department.​ Accident and emergency centres (urgent care centres) are available for out of hours emergencies in most locations. ​

Coastguard: For emergencies, dial 111​

National Crisis and National ​Emergency Management​: The NZ government has established agencies to lead local teams to deal with disasters and other emergencies.

Support Services

Family support services: The Strengthening Families process connects a family who require assistance with more than one agency or community service when a family needs help.​ All families need help from time to time. Find support wherever you are living in Aotearoa. The health pages provide links to health services.

Domestic Violence Support: Domestic violence help can be accessed in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Counselling services: The NZ Association of Counsellors provides a list of qualified counsellors. ​Note that payment may be required. Child Abuse and Youth Services: You can report suspected abuse to Oranga Tamariki. Oranga Tamariki (Ministry for Children) is a government department​. If you need help phone 0508 326 459 or email contact@ot.govt.nz.​ If you or someone else is in immediate danger call POLICE on 111.​ Kidshealth provides a list of various helplines for individuals and families.

Services for people with disabilities​: An acceptable standard of health is required whether moving to Aotearoa temporarily or as a resident. There are a variety of providers of services for people with disabilities.​ Te Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People’s website contains useful links for people with disabilities.​

Enrolling children at school

You can enrol your child in school before they’re 5, though they won’t start until they turn 5 ​and must have started by the time they are 6.​ Children must stay at school until they turn 16 years of age.​ Parents may apply to educate children at home.​

If you have children, and have a school in mind, you may need to live within the school zone for them to be able to successfully enroll.​

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Childcare

Early childhood education (ECE) provides education and care for children before they are old enough to go to primary school. It is not compulsory. For three- to four-year-olds, the first 20 hours per week are fully funded by the government.​ Most children in Aotearoa (95%) get some form of early childhood education, usually for 20-22 hours a week.​ The Ministry of Education provides practical information about education for parents and carers.​