Healthcare registration requirements

Information for Doctors

The Medical Council of New Zealand registers doctors to practice medicine in New Zealand.

To practice, all doctors need registration from the Council, within a general, provisional or vocational scope of practice. Doctors applying for registration must meet International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirements, and all doctors practicing in New Zealand must hold an annual practicing certificate. Registration requirements are available on the Medical Council of New Zealand website.

Information for Nurses

Nurses who have gained their registration in countries other than New Zealand must apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand for New Zealand registration.  By law, people who are not registered by the Nursing Council may not practice as a registered nurse in New Zealand.

Nurses registered in Australia who meet the requirements of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (1988) do not have to reapply for registration in New Zealand.
 
To obtain registration, the applicant must:

• have undertaken a nursing programme that is similar in content and length to the equivalent programme in New Zealand;
• have practised as a nurse within the past five years; and
• meet English language requirements. 

If you do not meet these requirements at the time of your application, it is unlikely that you will gain registration as a nurse in New Zealand.  Working as a caregiver, or taking up caregiving courses, is not likely to significantly improve your chance of gaining New Zealand nursing registration.