How do I move to New Zealand as a doctor?
Sarah Cherry
Updated on May 07, 2026
Contact the Medical Council directly to make application for registration before you make any applications for employment. Email . All matters to do with your eligibility to emigrate to this country should be discussed with the nearest New Zealand consular office.
Keeping this in view, how can I work as a doctor in New Zealand?
complete a five-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree at Otago or Auckland. work for two years as a house officer (supervised junior doctor) in a hospital. complete another six years of specialist training and examinations to become a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Likewise, is New Zealand a good place for doctors? Both New Zealand's big cities and rural heartland offer many opportunities for doctors. DHBs are the best place to start looking for short-term (locum) or permanent vacancies. If you are planning to work in New Zealand, or already have a job arranged, you will need a work permit.
Keeping this in view, can an American doctor practice in New Zealand?
A US-trained physician can practice medicine in New Zealand without repeating residency. This process can take 3-6 months and requires a bit of paperwork.
How much do doctors earn New Zealand?
The typical salary for a rural GP was between NZ$150,000 to $280,000, she said, and vacancies took between two to three years to fill on average. “We rely heavily on IMGs, but the majority who come stay on a short term basis.
Related Question Answers
Which country pays doctors most?
10 Highest Paying Countries for Doctors- No. 10: Australia. Specialists: $210,800. GPs: $104,300.
- No. 8: Austria. Specialists: $213,200. GPs: $141,500.
- No. 6: Switzerland. Specialists: $228,000. GPs: $172,800.
- No. 4: Germany. Specialists: $222,700. GPs: $214,700.
- No. 2: USA. Specialists: $350,300. GPs: $242,400.
Do doctors pay a registration fee?
All doctors must pay a fee to register with the General Medical Council and an annual retention fee to remain on the register.How is life in New Zealand?
Envied work-life balanceNew Zealand is known worldwide for its quality of life and relaxed pace. New Zealanders have a strong work ethic but also believe in having a good work life balance. Even in our biggest cities, you are never too far from a beach, bike trail, or national park.
How much do junior doctors earn in New Zealand?
Pay for general practitioners varies depending on experience, hours, location and the number of patients they see. General practitioners under supervised training (house officers) usually earn between $80,000 and $100,000 a year. Entry-level general practitioners (registrars) usually earn between $85,000 and $120,000.What is the cost of living in New Zealand?
Summary: Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,331$ (4,781NZ$) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 925$ (1,328NZ$) without rent. Cost of living in New Zealand is, on average, 7.36% higher than in United States.Can you practice medicine in New Zealand?
If you wish to practise medicine in New Zealand you must first gain registration from us. To do this, you must show us that you are qualified, competent and fit for registration. We register more than 1500 new doctors each year and there are over 17,000 registered doctors practising in New Zealand.Why is there a shortage of doctors in New Zealand?
Betty said a slow-burning GP shortage had been exacerbated by the Covid-19 border closures, the cost of managed isolation and quarantine and delays in processing and approving visa applications for overseas recruits. Typically, around 40 per cent of New Zealand's GP workforce is trained overseas.Can I do my medical residency in New Zealand?
hold a primary medical degree listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. have an offer of employment in New Zealand that confirms your fellowship or other training position. have been registered and actively practising in your home or sponsor country for a minimum of one year immediately prior to application.Does New Zealand have a doctor shortage?
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates a shortage of 4.3 million physicians, nurses, and other health workers worldwide, especially in many developing countries. Shortages exist and are growing in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany.Where can I study medicine in New Zealand?
There are two medical schools in New Zealand; at the University of Auckland and the University of Otago.Is Plab accepted in New Zealand?
If You Are Not From the UK, US, Ireland, New Zelaand or Canada You Can Still Come Under the Competent Authority Pathway. PLAB in the UK; NZREX in New Zealand; USMLE in US; or.How can I move to New Zealand?
There are two routes to permanent residency in New Zealand: Work to Residence visas and Skilled Migrant visas. Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Category: If your skills are on the long-term shortage list, this visa allows you to work for 30 months in the country. After two years you can apply for permanent residency.What is the official language of New Zealand?
Māori English New Zealand Sign LanguageHow do I study for MD in NZ?
Eligible candidates can enrol and start their MD at any time of year. If you are a New Zealand student, you must enrol within 3 months of your unconditional offer. If you are an International student, you must enrol in the programme within 6 months of your unconditional offer.What jobs are in demand in New Zealand?
Top 20 most-needed jobs in New Zealand| Most-needed jobs | Current rank | Change since Feb |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing-All roles | 1 | +4 |
| Administrative Assistants | 2 | -1 |
| Warehousing, Storage & Distribution | 3 | 0 |
| Developers / Programmers | 4 | 0 |
What skills do they need in New Zealand?
Immigration New Zealand's skill shortage lists- Arts and Media.
- Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation.
- Farming, Fishing, Forestry and Mining.
- Construction and Infrastructure.
- Business.
- Health and Community.
- IT and Telecommunications.
- Education and Social Sciences.
How much are nurses paid in New Zealand?
The average pay for a Registered Nurse is NZD 92,587 a year and NZD 45 an hour in New Zealand. The average salary range for a Registered Nurse is between NZD 65,706 and NZD 114,726. On average, a Bachelor's Degree is the highest level of education for a Registered Nurse.Can I move to New Zealand as a nurse?
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.How do I get a job in New Zealand?
To find a job in New Zealand as a foreigner, try visiting Seek, indeed, Trade Me Jobs, Jobted or job. Follow this link to find the full list of job search portals, categorized into general jobs, specialist jobs, general recruitment agency websites as well as industry-specific jobs, and animal care and conservation.Are nurses in demand in New Zealand?
Aged care nurses are in particularly high demand. As a result, registered nurse (aged care) appears on Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill shortage list. According to the Nursing Council of New Zealand, the number of registered nurses rose from 55,000 in 2017 to 57,833 (including 2,500 enrolled nurses) in 2019.Is Indian medical degree valid in NZ?
Moreover, having a medical degree from an Indian college is not a disqualification in any way in all these countries. In addition, it is easy for these medicos to get a visa and a permanent residency later on. New Zealand has opportunities galore for Indian doctors.What qualifications do I need to be a nurse in New Zealand?
To become a registered nurse, you must successfully complete a three-year Bachelor of Nursing degree (level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority Framework) or a two-year graduate entry master's degree (level 8 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework).What is the highest paying job in NZ?
The 11 Highest Paying Jobs in New Zealand [2021 Edition]- CEO/Managing Director. $120k.
- Surgeon – Private sector. $151k.
- Judge. $334k.
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO) $180k.
- Strategy Manager – Corporate Finance, M&A. $200k.
- Country Sales Manager. $190k.
- Corporate and Insitutional Director – Financial Services. $180k.
- IT General Manager.
Who is the highest paying doctor?
The highest-paid physician specialtiesSpecialists in plastic surgery earned the highest physician salary in 2020 — an average of $526,000. Orthopedics/orthopedic surgery is the next-highest specialty ($511,000 annually), followed by cardiology at $459,000 annually.
What is the lowest paid medical doctor?
The 10 Lowest-Paid Specialties- Pediatrics $221,000 (down 5%)
- Family Medicine $236,000 (up 1%)
- Public Health & Preventive Medicine $237,000 (up 2%)
- Diabetes & Endocrinology $245,000 (up 4%)
- Infectious Disease $245,000 (steady)
- Internal Medicine $248,000 (down 1%)
- Allergy & Immunology $274,000 (down 9%)
How many hours do doctors work in New Zealand?
The Resident Doctors' Association reports working hours for doctors, in New Zealand, average between 55 and 60 hours a week and up to 12 days in a row without a break. There are safeguards in place to protect doctors and the patients they care for by ensuring doctors are not working unmanageable hours.What do dentists earn in New Zealand?
Pay for dentists varies depending on their experience, location and size of their practice. Dentists with up to three years' experience usually earn between $65,000 and $85,000 a year. Dentists with more than three years' experience usually earn between $85,000 and $186,000.How much does the average person earn a year NZ?
Average Salary / New Zealand. Average salary in New Zealand is 82,232 NZD per year. The most typical earning is 51,014 NZD.How much do doctors earn an hour NZ?
People with Jobs as Physicians / Doctors Median Hourly Rate by Job| Job | Average |
|---|---|
| Physician / Doctor, Emergency Room (ER) | NZ$55.00 |
| Physician / Doctor, Plastic Surgeon | NZ$45.00 |
| Physician / Doctor, Neurologist | NZ$385 |
| Family Physician / Doctor | NZ$108 |
