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Wanaka Otago Miles Holden

Physiotherapy

Level up your career and lifestyle and deliver a first-rate service to our communities as a Physiotherapist in New Zealand - Aotearoa.  It’s an exciting time for the profession and we’re looking for dynamic and forward-thinking registered Physiotherapists to help make positive change happen.

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Photo location: Wānaka, Otago - Credit: Miles Holden

About the role

Our Physiotherapists use techniques that help restore movement and function working to help people regain their ability to have a quality life and maintain movement following an injury, manage pain, and ongoing disease management. Whether this is to prevent hospital admissions or to prevent ongoing deterioration our teams provide support to people of all ages affected by injury, illness or disability. 

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Physiotherapists work across different areas both within the public system (Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora) and in the private system as well as self-employed in private practices. 

Within our public system, Physiotherapists work in a range of different settings, from our acute hospitals to our rural hospitals, and into well-established community teams.

The health system recognises the value physiotherapy adds to health and is actively investing in developing the profession.

Being a comparatively small nation, our Physiotherapists have the ability to drive change and be at the forefront of innovation of services that influence their local communities.

Digital health is just one way we support our communities.

Physiotherapist Grant getting his portrait photo taken in the corridor with his arms crossed smiling at the camera

Benefits and salary range

  • In New Zealand, the salary and benefits of some roles are determined by collective agreements between unions and employers.
  • The Physiotherapists collective agreement can be found on the Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora website.
  • Opportunities to network with other Physiotherapists within your specialty arena
  • Opportunities to work across different settings within rural communities and hospital-based positions
  • Opportunities to be involved in some exciting new service developments such as Physiotherapists as first specialist accessors for Pelvic health, Respiratory, Vestibular and Orthopaedic specialty services
  • Opportunities to lead and participate to service development in Emergency care services and Community/Primary care services
  • You will be supported in your ongoing development. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is available to progress your career and opportunities for further education and to be involved in research.

Required qualifications and experience

To work in Aotearoa New Zealand, you will need to satisfy and gain registration with the New Zealand Physiotherapy Board and be a member of Physiotherapy New Zealand.

  • Annual Practicing Certificate
  • Ongoing competency and dedicated to long life learning
  • Full Drivers Licence (rural communities).

Other helpful links

Begin your career
  • The following physiotherapy schools are available in New Zealand: University of Otago, Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Auckland University and Wintec
  • Bachelor of Health Science
  • Bachelor of Physiotherapy
  • Internationally recognised physiotherapy qualification 
  • New Zealand physiotherapy registration.

Roles and responsibilities

  • Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) and implementing the principles  
  • Engaging with local communities for better health outcomes
  • Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner
  • Competent Physiotherapist within area of special interest
  • Provide safe and clinically effective assessment and intervention
  • Ability to provide holistic treatment from initial assessment to discharge
  • Ability to work as part of a healthcare team
  • Understand the patient journey
  • Awareness of prevention
  • Understanding of both hospital and community work
  • Understanding of ACC
  • Opportunity for mentorship and sharing of skills.

Internationally qualified candidates

To practise legally as a Physiotherapist in New Zealand, you must be registered and hold a current Annual Practising certificate issued by the Physiotherapy Board and be members of Physiotherapy New Zealand

Alternative titles for Physiotherapists are:

  • Physio
  • Physical Therapist 

Our Application Process

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Step 1: Submit

Complete the registration form as your expression of interest in a Physiotherapist role

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Step 2: Review

Our Candidate Management Team will review your application and check your suitability

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Step 3: Contact

You will be contacted by our Candidate Management Team to discuss career and location options

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Step 4: Referral

We will refer you to a Recruitment Team in your preferred location(s) for further assessment

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Step 5: Progress

Your chosen Recruitment Team(s) will be in touch with you to continue the recruitment process

A Health New Zealand nurse standing relaxed smiling in the hallway An ESC nurse standing in a brightly lit hospital corridor holding some paperwork.

Looking to move to New Zealand to work as a Physiotherapist?

Great news! Physiotherapists are on Tier 1 of New Zealand's Green List which means you are eligible for a fast-tracked Straight to Residence Visa. This means you and your family can apply for New Zealand residency before you arrive, provided you have a job offer from an accredited employer, like us! 

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Working at Health New Zealand

'Te Whatu Ora' translates from our indigenous Māori language to 'the weaving of wellness'; which is what we are all about in our holistic delivery of world-class care for the health and wellbeing of the 5 million Kiwis in our communities.

Health New Zealand has an open and non-hierarchical approach to improving outcomes for our patients. Our cross-disciplinary collaborative way of working fosters a positive work environment where all members of our team feel supported and empowered.

Our commitment to you

We are dedicated to building a team that is representative of the communities that we are serving. We are committed to supporting health equity in our communities. Our kaimahi (staff) thrives on the diversity and inclusion of all perspectives and cultures, and we welcome individuals from all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Health New Zealand has programmes and facilities available to both protect and improve our teams’ physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. We know that you do your best work when you’re feeling your best, so it’s important to us that this is a priority.

Physiotherapist Georgia smiles and gets her photo taken out in the garden outside the hospital
Cathedral Cove Physio Midpage Stacked

 

 

 

 

 

Photo location: Waikato - Credit: Miles Holden

 

Explore Aotearoa

New Zealand - Aotearoa has been in the top 5 countries in the Global Peace Index every year since it launched in 2009, and has a broad range of places to call home, from the bustling metropolis of our main centres, to the easy-going vibe of our coastal or rural communities.

Find out more information about what part of our beautiful country is the best fit for you.

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Moving to New Zealand - Aotearoa is a fantastic opportunity and a big step, we're here for you! Our dedicated team is here to provide guidance and support throughout your journey, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

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