International nurse registration

The Nursing Council will not be accepting any new applications for registration from overseas applicants (except applications under Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement {TTMR}) from 10 August 2010 until such time as any amendments to the qualifications required for those applicants have been consulted on and gazetted.

Any new applications for registration from overseas applicants that are received fall into this category. It is anticipated that any amendments to the qualifications will come into force at the end of September 2010 at which time the Council will resume accepting new applications.

Please click here for the gazette notice.

Internationally qualified nurses applying for registration in New Zealand

When a nurse who is registered with an overseas authority applies to the Council for registration in New Zealand, each application is assessed on an individual basis. The Council operates a system of reciprocal registration with Australia.

Applicants for registration are required to provide evidence that they:

• have an international nursing qualification equivalent to that prescribed in New Zealand
• are competent to practise within their scope of practice
• are fit for registration, which includes the ability to communicate effectively in English for the purpose of practising nursing.

International applicants from all countries (except Australia) are required to sit an English Language assessment before submitting an application.

The assessment can be either the International English Language Testing (IELTS) Academic Test, or the Occupational English Test (OET).

Click here for further details.

For a copy of the application form please click here. You will need to have installed Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer to be able to do this. 

Applications for registration will not be considered until all the required documentation is received. Once the necessary documentation is received the application will be considered as soon as reasonably practical.

The Council strongly recommends that you do not make plans to move to New Zealand until you have completed the registration process (or have been advised to complete a competence assessment programme if necessary). Please also note that immigration does not come under the jurisdiction of the Council.

If you have any questions or require an application pack to be posted to you, please contact the Council with your full name and postal address by telephone +64-4-385 9589 or by email oseas@nursingcouncil.org.nz