With its natural beauty, safe living environment, and great work-life balance, New Zealand is a fabulous country to live and work in. New Zealanders (also known as Kiwis, after the Kiwi bird) are proud of their Māori heritage and continuing cultural influence. New Zealand notably created a treaty between the British Empire and Māori chiefs in 1840, the document created from that signing (the Te Tiriti o Waitangi) is considered a constitutional document. New Zealanders are also welcoming to the ethnically diverse migrants who move there – making this small country a dynamic and diverse place to call home.
Considering a career as a healthcare professional in New Zealand? Our comprehensive guides offer insights on the requirements for registration, working, and living in New Zealand. Part three of the series delves into registration details and the OET Test. To access parts one and two, please follow the links below:
Ultimate guide to living and working in New Zealand: part one
Ultimate guide to living and working in New Zealand: part two
Importantly, New Zealand has recently announced new efforts to encourage healthcare immigration. Nurses move from the Tier 2 pathway (work to permanent residency with two years' work required) to the Tier 1 “Green List” pathway – straight to permanent residency.
The New Zealand Government also added an additional 32 professions to the Green List’s Straight to Residence pathway, welcoming and recognising a wider range of roles that can contribute to the country’s healthcare sector. A full list of eligible professions is available here.
For Nurses
Nurses wishing to practice in New Zealand must register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ). To register, overseas trained and qualified nurses must first prove their competency with the English language, and their communication skills. This can be achieved by sitting an English test such as OET.
An introduction to the Nursing Council of New Zealand
Subhead: NCNZ regulates nurses working in New Zealand. The Council is responsible for making sure nurses have the required training, education, skills, and right level of English to work in New Zealand’s healthcare system.
All nurses must register with NCNZ to work in New Zealand. The NCNZ has strict requirements for professional qualifications, and you must also provide proof that your English is at the right level to work in New Zealand by sitting an English test and achieving the required score/grade. From there, you can apply to obtain registration with the NCNZ.
For more information, look at the following useful resources:
Who recognises OET | OET (navigate to the ‘New Zealand’ category to find more information on the NCNZ requirements)
NCNZ website
Information for internationally qualified Nurses registering with NCNZ
For Doctors
Internationally trained doctors seeking work in New Zealand need to register with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). As part of registration, doctors need to prove their competency with the English language, and their communication skills. They do this by sitting an English test, such as the OET Test and share their results with the MCNZ.
An introduction to the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)
Subhead: MCNZ is responsible for the regulation of doctors in New Zealand. The Council makes sure Doctors have required training, education, skills and level of English proficiency to work effectively in the New Zealand healthcare system.
The MCNZ has strict requirements for medical qualifications, and you must also provide proof that your English is at the right level to work in New Zealand by sitting an English test and achieving the required score/grade. From there, you must register with MCNZ to practice medicine.
For more information, look at the following useful resources:
Who recognises OET | OET (navigate to the ‘New Zealand’ category to find more information on the NCNZ requirements)
Information for internally qualified Doctors registering with MCNZ
Information about taking the OET Test
If you are an internally qualified nurse or doctor, you will need to take an English test to register and work in New Zealand. Our international English language test, the OET Test, assesses the language proficiency of healthcare professionals who want to register and practise in an English-speaking workplace. Read on to learn why the OET Test is designed for professionals just like you.
Why do healthcare professionals choose the OET Test?
- We've designed our tests to mirror the language you'll use every day in healthcare settings, ensuring you're well-equipped to communicate confidently and effectively with patients, colleagues, and healthcare teams.
- OET tests all four language skills: Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening - so your communication is workplace ready
- Our test is healthcare-specific, so it’s easier for you to succeed on test day and beyond.
- The OET Test is recognised by the NCNZ and MCNZ as proof of your ability to provide safe patient care
- OET is a name trusted and recognised worldwide by 450+ healthcare regulators, employers and educational institutions.
- We provide a wealth of preparation resources to ensure a smooth and effective language assessment. We're here to help you become test-ready, so you can confidently demonstrate your language proficiency throughout your career
You can find more helpful information on the OET website, including:
What’s in the test and how is it scored?
Where and when can I take the OET Test?