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Applying with overseas registration

Nursing Council requirements

Registration costs

FAQs

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Internationally qualified nurses

You may apply to become registered as a nurse in New Zealand if you are currently registered with an overseas regulatory authority and meet Nursing Council requirements.

If you are a nurse with a current practising certificate in Australia, and you want to apply to register in New Zealand, click here.

For all other internationally qualified nurses, the Nursing Council has the following process:

Step 1: Verifying and authenticating documents with TruMerit

All nurses are required to provide documents proving their:

  • identity
  • current registration/s held in the last 10 years
  • nursing qualification/s (assessment of equivalency to New Zealand nursing qualifications will be made by the Nursing Council of New Zealand)
  • evidence of English language proficiency
  • 1,800 hours post-registration nursing experience

You must first verify your documents with TruMerit before applying to the Council to register.
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Step 2: Apply to the Nursing Council to become registered

Apply to the Nursing Council AFTER your documents have been verified and complete the following:

  • Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand online courses

    • All nurses must complete two free online courses introducing you to culturally safe nursing practice in New Zealand

  • Fitness to practise checks

    • All nurses are required to undergo a criminal history check.

  • Competence assessment

    • Some registered nurses and all enrolled nurses will be required to undergo a competence assessment.

    • Use our self-assessment tool to see if you might require a competence assessment.
    • If you need a competence assessment, find out what that means here.

Link to apply

Find more information about Nursing Council requirements and a link to apply here.

You cannot apply directly to the Council to be registered. You must first apply to TruMerit to verify and authenticate your documents before you can apply to be registered.

Two nurses in clinical uniforms work at a computer workstation in a hospital clinical area, reviewing information on a screen. Shelving with medical supplies and equipment is visible around them, indicating a busy ward or treatment room.

Assessment of application

All applications are individually assessed. The length of time it takes to process and assess IQN applications will vary.

It depends, for example, on whether all the Nursing Council requirements are met and/or whether further documents are needed.

The length of time the Council takes to process your application is separate from, and does not include, the time TruMerit takes to verify and authenticate your documents.

Registration costs

Find out about registration costs here. 

Employment

The Council has no role in the recruitment or employment of internationally qualified nurses.

In recent times, New Zealand has employed a large number of internationally qualified nurses so demand is currently lower than previously, except in some particular areas of speciality or experience (e.g. mental health and addiction). You are encouraged to explore employment opportunities prior to applying for registration or coming to New Zealand.

If you have confirmed employment as a nurse in New Zealand and that means a written offer from an employer, not a verbal offer, and are waiting for your registration to be processed, please email [email protected].

Check application

If you would like to check your application, log into MyIQN here.

FAQS – frequently asked questions

Midwives

If you are a registered midwife and want to apply to register as a midwife in New Zealand, please contact Midwifery Council of New Zealand

NCNZ Eligibility tool

Self assessment tool is here

  • If you need a competence assessment, find out what that means here.