There have been some recent changes in New Zealand regarding recognition of overseas qualifications and the doors are opening up for doctors qualified from a number of countries including the UK, Ireland, Canada and USA, the Netherlands and some other European countries. Please see the registration flow charts for a quick look to see if you are eligible to apply for registration in New Zealand.
If you have a minimum of 36 months clinical experience within the last 4 years in any of the above countries, and have a good employment record then we want to hear from you.
Our staff have an in depth understanding of the different registration and specialist recognition pathways for New Zealand. Taking into account your qualifications and experience, we will advise you on the best way to become registered to practice in New Zealand.
New Zealand has one registering body, the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). You do not need to present your application in person; you can submit it on paper a maximum of 6 months from your intended start date. Once approved, you will need to attend a face to face meeting with the MCNZ with your original documentation when you arrive in New Zealand and have your Certificates of Good Standing approved before you are eligible to start work.
At Ochre Recruitment we have many years of experience in working with doctors to get them registered to practice in New Zealand. Make us your first step for adviceon your eligibility for registration and we'll then help you find a great job,through the registration and relocation process.
For International Medical graduates from a non-English speaking background you will need to have gained a pass within the last two year in the IELTS exam (Academic Module) achieving a minimum score of 7 in each in reading and writing and a 7.5 in listening and reading.Scheduled test locations and dates are available world wide details are availableon the IELTS website.
In some circumstances the IELTS requirement can be waivered if you have been living and working in an English speaking country for at least 2 years prior to your application. Please discuss this with your recruitment consultant to see if your are eligible for an exemption.
For non New Zealand trained doctors there are no restrictions on where you can work in New Zealand. You can work in an urban location, one of our beautiful rural areas or in a town in between. There are generally more vacancies outside of the main centres, with these places generally having more benefits on offer in their salary packages.
If you are a junior doctor also consider the extra advantage you will get from more hands on experience in hospitals outside of the main centres. It's a great way to build on your skills and experience in a different medical environment and usually the pay is better too!
Medical Indemnity insurance is purchased annually to cover Medical Practitioners for claims made by patients against them due to medical negligence. It is advisable that all doctors obtain their own medical indemnity cover which is very cheap in New Zealand compared to most other countries in the world. The current rate is approximately NZ$400 per quarter.
New Zealand policies have full tail cover. This means that if you were insured at the time the incident happened, you will be covered; no matter how long ago the incident occurred.
Most overseas Medical Indemnity policies will not provide cover for you in New Zealand; you will need to arrange New Zealand based cover for your time in New Zealand. We recommend getting your indemnity insurance from Medical Protection Society (MPS) and will assist you with the arrangements. You can find out more at the MPS website.
Recent changes to regulations mean that we can no longer provide immigration advice, however we can still provide you with infomration that is publicly availableon theImmigration New Zealand website andDepartment of Labour. The NZIS website points out that as a Medical Practitioner there are a number of visa options open to enable you and your family to live, work and study in New Zealand - from a short visit to staying here indefinitely.
Immigration bureaucracy can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with the process.For complex immigration applications wecan referyou toapproved Immigration Consultantsto make sure you understand your options and to see that the process runs as smoothly as possible.New Zealand immigration are very helpful to people looking to work in New Zealand.
If you have a job offer for two years or longer you can even apply for permanent residency even before you leave your home country. You will need to firstly complete an expression of interest of interest online at the New Zealand Immigration website. Please discuss this with your recruitment consultant to gain an understanding of the process.
The NZIS website points out that if you have a job offer and work visa for at least six months your spouse may also apply for a work visa without a job offer. Please read the NZIS website's family policy for more information.Your spouse's application will need to accompany your application.
Please refer to the NZIS website for further information on study permits for yourchildren to join you in New Zealand. The NZIS websitestates thatchildren of work permit holders can attend primary and secondary school in New Zealand. The website states tha you will need to apply for student visas for them. Please be aware that the school year in New Zealand differs from the Northern Hemisphere. Our schools start in early February and runs through until the end of December.
For most overseas visitors to New Zealand if you are working in New Zealand on a short contract you will not be covered under the public health system and will need to have travel insurance for your time in New Zealand.
If you have a job offer for at least two years you will be covered under the NZ public health system. You will also be able to apply for private health insurance in New Zealand; however there is a three month stand down period when applying for a new health insurance policy.
For citizens of Australia and the UK there are some reciprocal arrangements. Please visit the Ministry of Health website for more information
Here in New Zealand we are spoilt for choice. Depending on what you want to do you can lie on a beach, enjoy a great meal in one of our award winning restaurants or wineries, stroll through a native forest or boutique shops, relax in a thermal pool, climb a mountain or play a round on one of our fabulous golf courses. If you like some adventure there is everything from rafting, bungee jumping, and heliskiing, to jet boating and skydiving.
There is so much to experience, see and do here; you really need to discover it for yourself. Visit the Tourism New Zealand website for further information.
We are not in a position to give taxation advice but would recommend that you look at the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department (IRD) website.
If you are working as an employee in New Zealand you will be required to get an IRD Number. Employees have their tax deducted prior to being paid. This is known as PAYE (Pay as You Earn). Ochre Recruitment can assist you to apply for your IRD number when you arrive in New Zealand.
If your country has a double tax agreement with New Zealand and you are in New Zealand for less than 183 days it is expected that you will pay tax on your earnings in your home country. Independent contractors get paid the full amount without tax deducted but then must arrange payment of tax to the IRD if you are in New Zealand for more than 183 days or to their home country if they are in New Zealand for less than 183 days.
If you are a working as a contractor you will need to get an IRD number and you may need to become registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST). We will arrange for you to discuss this with the IRD non resident contractor's team when you are here in New Zealand.
Our online positions page is updated regularly and has an up to date list of permanent and locum positions that are available for New Zealand. However don't forget to call us as there are jobs coming through all the time. We are happy to talk to you about any upcoming placements we may not have yet listed.
Once we have introduced you to an employer and they have agreed to employ you, a copy of Ochre Health's Client Agreement will be signed between Ochre Recruitment and your employer outlining the details of what has been agreed in your contract. You will be sent a copy of the Client Agreement as confirmation of your engagement and the terms of your employment with the client.
The Client Agreement will confirm the terms of the placement, sessions to be worked, travel and accommodation so that all points are agreed.
