New Zealand is known for providing some of the best work/life balance in the world, and if you're a doctor from the UK - you're in high demand. Whatever your lifestyle or career goals discover better with Medrecruit. Find out everything you need to know in our IMG Down Under guide.
Find out what specialities are in demand in 2023, and whether yours is one of them.
Find out where the work is and what enviable locations you could relocate to down under with Medrecruit.
Find out what doctors are earning down under in 2023 and how much you could earn if you made the move.
There are roles available right across New Zealand. Many (though certainly not all) locum roles are in rural locations and lots of doctors we work with love using this as an opportunity to explore new places. Where the work is also depends on the type of work you’d like to do and what your specialty and experience is. You can search for current roles on our job search page.
AHPRA (Australia) and MCNZ (New Zealand) are the national organisations responsible for doctor registration and accreditation.
Australasian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Registration (or AHPRA) is what you require to legally practise medicine in Australia.
To practise medicine in New Zealand you must have Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) Registration.
The Competent Authority Pathway is a pathway in which you can gain AHPRA registration (Australia), or MCNZ registration (New Zealand). To be eligible for this pathway, you must have completed your primary medical degree in the UK or Ireland. You are also eligible if you have passed the medical licensing exams in the UK, Canada, USA or NZ and have completed internship equivalent in one of these countries.
The Standard Pathway is for those applying for registration in Australia who don’t meet the Competent Authority Pathway criteria. To be eligible you will have completed a medical degree listed in the WHO directory. You will need to successfully complete the AMC examinations which involve an MCQ and clinical examinations. Then you can apply for provisional registration. You must secure an internship-level role for the first 12 months.
This pathway provides a route to MCNZ registration in New Zealand for doctors who:
The NZREX Clinical Examination provides another pathway to MCNZ registration in New Zealand. You are eligible if you have a degree from a country listed in the WHO directory. You will be required to complete the NZ Registration examinations. Once these are successfully completed you will be eligible for provisional registration. Then you are required to secure an internship level role for the first 12 months.
The Specialist Pathway is a route to registration in Australia. It involves an assessment by the relevant specialist college of your qualifications and experience to see how it compares to that of an Australian trained specialist. The outcome of the assessment will determine your comparability, and what if any further requirements you need to gain full specialist registration.
As a doctor who has trained overseas you must hold Vocational Registration to work as a specialist in New Zealand. This involves full assessment of your overseas qualifications, training and experience to see how it compares. The outcome of the assessment will determine the steps you need to take to be eligible for Vocational Registration.
We cannot assess your eligibility for registration. This is up to the relevant national organisation of the country you’d like to work in.
Medrecruit can help find international doctors a suitable role. Our team can also provide some guidance and advice around moving to Australia and New Zealand.