Hot off the press: Our FY25 New Zealand Salary Guide

Find out what doctors are earning in New Zealand

Download our FY25 Doctor Salary Guide to gain invaluable insights into emerging trends, salary benchmarks, and the most in-demand specialties. Equip yourself with the latest data to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape and optimise your career trajectory in 2025.

What's inside?
Paediatrics doctor
What specialities are in demand?

Get to know which medical specialities are in demand in 2025 in different parts of Australia and New Zealand, and whether yours is one of them.

Doctor lifestyle Marlborough
Where is the work?

Find out where the work is and what locations you could visit as a Medrecruit locum.

Geriatrics doctors
What are NZ doctors earning?

Find out what New Zealand doctors are earning in 2025 and how you can increase your salary.

Hear what our doctors have to say
Dr Kevin Naidoo - working as a locum surgeon
Our Doctors
The search for a better lifestyle as a general surgeon. Dr Kevin Naidoo shares his journey from South Africa to NZ
Article by Dr Kevin Naidoo | 14 May 2021
Medrecruit locum consultant
Our Doctors
Dr Andrew Liley uses the flexibility of locum life to work as an Anaesthetic Consultant and run his own olive grove.
Article by Jordy Black | 28 Feb 2022
doctor in Antarctica
Our Doctors
"This was something I wanted to do and I spent my time developing my career with the mindset of doing it." Dr David Silley.
Article by Jordy Black | 24 May 2022
Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Your registration number, a current CV and three references are the essentials of any job application. Other paperwork that's commonly required is:

  • Evidence of vaccinations,
  • Evidence of your degree/fellowship,
  • Annual Practicing Certificates,
  • Indemnity,
  • A certified copy of your passport and/or driver’s licence,
  • Police vetting form.

What you'll need can vary slightly between Australian states and New Zealand. Some states/locations also require you to complete an online training course (eMedical Courses). We're here to help guide you through the requirements, and we'll give you a checklist detailing everything you need.

No, our service is free for doctors! We're paid by hospitals and clinics for our services and are preferred suppliers in several states and areas. Because we have a huge network of doctors, we save clinics and hospitals time (and money) by taking the stress out of the hiring and credentialing process.

This depends on where you work – the hospital or clinic chooses how a doctor is paid. This will work one of three ways:

  • You’re paid by the hospital/clinic as an employee
  • You’re paid by the hospital/clinic as a contractor
  • Medrecruit pays you directly (this can be as a casual employee of Medrecruit or via your company)

Your recruitment specialist can tell you which method you’ll be paid for each job you undertake.

MCNZ registered doctors have lots of opportunities to find permanent and locum work in New Zealand. Australian-trained doctors can work in New Zealand – you'll need to gain MCNZ registration and we can assist you in this process. Doctors who gained their primary medical degree overseas will ideally have a few years’ experience in a comparative health system (like in the UK or Ireland) under their belt. There are pathways to work in New Zealand if you trained overseas, but there are some restrictions. Our page for International Doctors has more information.

Looking for something different?

We have locum and permanent roles in New Zealand's neighbour island, Australia. Find out more below.