Nursing in New Zealand

Assessment

The Nursing Council assesses each applicant on an individual basis and does not operate a system of reciprocal registration or enrolment except for Australian applicants who meet the requirements of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (1988).

Principle considerations for registrations are:

The applicant has undertaken a nursing 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
The applicant has practised as a nurse within the past five years
The applicant has supplied the Nursing Council with evidence that they have successfully completed an English language assessment for New Zealand registration when English is not the applicants first language.*
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 arrangement

Applicants from Australia

The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA) came into effect on 1 May 1998. Applicants with nursing and midwifery registration in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory can apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand under TTMRA.

Nurses and midwives from other States and Territories will have their applications processed in terms of the overseas registration process until the State or Territory participates in the arrangement.

Please contact the Nursing Council for the appropriate application form:

Postal address:
PO Box 9644
Wellington
New Zealand

Street address:
Level 12
Mid City Tower
139-143 Willis Street
Wellington
New Zealand

Telephone: +64 4 385 9589
Fax: +64 4 801 8502
Email: oseas@nursingcouncil.org.nz
overseas registration enquiries
Website: www.nursingcouncil.org.nz

* The accepted English language assessments for NZ registration are IELTS or OET. Applicants must gain a score of at least 7.0 in each band of an IELTS test, or a B pass in all categories of the Occupational English Test (OET).

As from 1 August 2008 , the achievement of at least 7.0 in each band of an IELTS may be gained over more than one sitting, but must be completed within twelve calendar months of the first sitting of the test.

As from 1 January 2009 all internationally qualified nurses, including those from English speaking countries, will be required to complete an English language assessment for New Zealand nursing registration, with the exception of applicants from Australia, who are exempt from being required to successfully complete an English language assessment under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997.

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Page last reviewed: 21 January 2009