Registering as a Nurse in New Zealand
To be a practicing Nurse or Midwife in New Zealand, you must be registered with the specified board to be permitted to practice your medical profession. To be registered as a nurse in New Zealand you must be registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand. To be registered as a Midwife in New Zealand you must be registered with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. It is important to understand that without registration the hospital or facility you apply to, has no obligation to employ or pay you while you wait for your application to be processed. It is therefore encouraged that you register as soon as possible. It is important to note that your application will only be assessed when the application fees have been paid, and all relevant documents have been permitted to the council.
After you have lodged your registration application with the Nursing Council of New Zealand, you are assessed on an individual basis.
Each candidate must meet the following to be considered for registration:
- The candidate must be fit for registration
- The candidate must have the qualifications relevant to the scope of practice
- The candidate must be competent to practice in their scope of practice
- The candidate must have competed an approved New Zealand study programme
To register as a Nurse in New Zealand, you must register in a scope of practice. The scope of practice includes three scopes:
- Nurse practitioner
- Registered nurse
- Enrolled nurse
New Zealand registration process for international Nurses
If you are an overseas qualified Nurse that wants to register as a nurse in New Zealand, you must also apply for registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand. You should expect the application process to take up to 12 weeks, with a cost of approximately NZ $485. After you are registered, the NZNC will send you application forms for the annual practicing certificate. The annual practicing certificate is essential to have, and will cost NZ $110 per annum. This process takes approximately 7-10 days. Please note that the processing fee is non-refundable if your application is withdrawn. For more information on registration fees, please refer to the Council’s fees page.
Qualification requirements for registered nurses outside New Zealand
Registered nurses from outside New Zealand must meet the following qualifications:
- Registration with an overseas regulatory authority or an equivalent international qualification.
- Completed a nursing programme that is equivalent to three years bachelor degree in nursing.
- Two years registration practice within five years of your application.
- Completed an approved competency assessment.
You must provide evidence of your overseas Nursing registration from the regulatory authority you hold your registration with. Verification from the regulatory authority where you are registered must be sent directly to the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
You must also prove to the Nursing Council of New Zealand, that you do not have any criminal convictions. Only a police certificate is accepted as evidence, and must also be within 6 months old prior to application.
Applying for registration or enrolment in New Zealand
Nurses who are registered or enrolled in countries other than New Zealand, must apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand for admission to the register or roll, before being able to practice in New Zealand.
Assessment
The Council assesses each applicant individually. To be considered for registration or enrolment you must meet certain principle considerations. These principles include:
- 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, 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.
Registration applicants from Australia
The Trans- Tasman Mutual Recognition ACT (TTMRA) recognises that applicants that possess a nursing registration in all states and territories in Australia can apply for registration in New Zealand under the TTMRA. To register under this ACT you should expect to pay NZ $295.
The Nursing Council of New Zealand contact details
To find out any contact details of the Nursing Council of New Zealand please refer to Nursing Council of New Zealand contact page. To find out more information on registering as a Nurse in New Zealand please refer to the Nursing Council of New Zealand website.
Registering as a Midwife in New Zealand
All practicing Midwives in New Zealand must be registered with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. Their name must also be entered in the Midwives registry. Once you have been registered as a midwife you must apply for an Annual Practising Certificate (APC) to be eligible to practice. To receive an APC you must demonstrate that you are competent to practice as a midwife. To be registered as a Midwife in New Zealand you must be registered in a scope of practice. To find out more about the scope of practice and the registration process please refer to the Midwifery council of New Zealand website.
Australian Midwife Applicants
If you are a registered Midwife in Australia, and you wish to work as a Midwife in New Zealand, you can apply to the Midwifery Council of New Zealand under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997. This only applies if you are registered in any state or territory of Australia. If you are a Midwife registered in Western Australia, you can apply for registration with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand, under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition (Western Australia) Act 2007.
International Midwives qualifying for registration
If you are a qualified and registered Midwife overseas and you wish to register as a Midwife in New Zealand, you must meet certain guidelines. The following information pertains to information required for application, the registration process and any supporting information needed.
You will need the following documents:
- Identity evidence in its original copy
- Current or past registration proof
- Certificate of good standing
- CV
- Police report from the country you have lived in for the past 12 months. If you have a criminal record you will also need to provide details of your convictions.
- Transcript of your Midwifery education programme
- Two references
- Medical certificate
- Self-assessment against competencies
- IELTS or proof of English Language skills
- Details pertaining to any disability
Before you can be registered as a Midwife in New Zealand you must meet three areas of criteria, required by the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. These areas include:
- You must be registered as a Midwife outside of New Zealand
- You must meet qualification and competence requirements
- You must meet fitness for registration requirements
It is important to note that registration, and practicing certificates have fees associated with receiving them. Find all fees associated with registration and practicing certificates.
The Midwifery Council of New Zealand contact details
To find contact details for the Midwifery Council of New Zealand please refer to the Midwifery Council of New Zealand contact page or the Midwifery Council of New Zealand website.
HealthStaff Recruitment Services
If you are a qualified Nurse or Midwife looking to be registered to work in New Zealand, HealthStaff Recruitment can help you with the entire registration process, taking all of the stress off you. Our services are free of charge, and we can also help you find the right job for you. If you would like our help, please submit an enquiry or call us free.