How to get a nursing job in new zealand

The Process

To apply for a Working Visa for New Zealand you need to hold an offer of employment for which you are qualified, and there are no suitable New Zealand citizens available. As nurses are in such high demand in New Zealand, they fall into a special category. The Government has approved nursing as a long term skills shortage category and therefore, no check is made to see if suitable New Zealand citizens are available.

In order to work in New Zealand you will need to complete the following:

• Obtain an offer of employment – liaise with your consultant.
• Register with the New Zealand Nursing Council.
• Obtain a police clearance and, in some cases, a medical and chest x-ray.
• Obtain a practising certificate from the New Zealand Nursing Council.
• Obtain a working visa.
• Obtain a work permit on your passport upon entry to the country.

Obtaining Nursing Registration in New Zealand

You will need to demonstrate that you are registered with the New Zealand Nursing Council, NZNC, in order to obtain a work permit. The following information applies to registered nurses. For midwifery registration, please see the next section.

Each nurse is assessed on an individual basis.  The process for overseas nurses (excluding nurses registered in all Australian states except Western Australia) takes about 12 weeks (if your paperwork is in order). You cannot apply for this over the counter. Once you are registered the NZNC will send you application forms for the annual practising certificate. This takes approx 7-10 days to be processed. You may apply for the practising certificate over the counter. A receipt will be issued to you and the certificate sent out to you after being printed. You are able to work using the receipt.

Overseas nurses applying for registration must have:

• Registration with an overseas regulatory authority AND
• An equivalent international qualification OR
• A pass in an assessment of the Council competencies for Registered Nurses by an approved provider AND/OR
• Successfully completed a programme approved by the Council for the purpose of assessing competencies for Registered Nurses

The Council requires evidence of your overseas nursing registration by verification from the regulatory authority where you hold registration. This verification must be sent directly from that authority to the Council. The Council also requires you to provide the original of a Police Certificate, no more than 6 months old when received by the Council, as evidence you don’t have any convictions.

Applying for Nursing Registration or Enrolment

Nurses who have gained registration/enrolment in countries other than New Zealand must apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand for admission to the register/roll before being able to practise in New Zealand. The Nursing Council of New Zealand has an overseas registration section to process applications from outside New Zealand. 

Assessments

The Nursing Council assesses each applicant on an individual basis, and does not operate a system of reciprocal registration or enrolment – except if the applicant meets the requirements of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act, TTMR Act (1998). Principle considerations for registration are:

• The applicant has undertaken a nursing or midwifery programme that is similar in all specified content and length to the equivalent programme in New Zealand, and is able to meet the Competencies for Registration/Enrolment.
• The applicant has practised as a nurse or midwife within the past five years.
• The applicant has supplied the Nursing Council with evidence, obtained within the past two years, of ability to speak and write in the English language, when English is not the applicant’s first language. Recognised tests are CGNFS, IELTS, OET, or as part of a competency programme.
• Applicants who do not meet the requirements for nursing registration may be required to undergo further experience with instruction through a Department of Nursing within a New Zealand educational institution. The applicant is responsible for negotiating the arrangements for the experience and instruction and for informing the Nursing Council about those arrangements.

Nursing Registration for Applicants from Australia

The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA) came into effect on 1 May 1998.  Applicants with nursing registration in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Queensland and Tasmania can apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand under TTMRA. Application forms can be mailed or downloaded from the NZNC website. Nurses from Western Australia will have their applications processed in terms of the overseas registration process until that State participates in the Arrangement.

Police Clearance and Medical Clearance

You are required to have a police clearance completed in your own country should you wish to gain employment in NZ. Some employers also require you to undertake a medical examination – you will be advised of this prior to your commencement.