Ultimate Guide to Practicing Medicine in New Zealand

Interested in practicing medicine in New Zealand? Here is a country spotlight to elucidate the process for a US-trained physician. The three key components include registration with the medical council, finding a job, and obtaining a work visa. Once you start clinical practice, there will be a period of supervision – which seems to be more helpful than burdensome –  typically for the first 12 months or for the duration of your stay if staying for less than 12 months.

Registration with the medical council and finding a job can be pursued simultaneously.

Registration with Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)

US physicians wishing to practice medicine in New Zealand must register with the Medical Council of New Zealand. This incredibly useful registration self assessment will determine the appropriate process for you. The registration process is easier if you are board certified in your specialty by either the US allopathic or osteopathic boards.

Registration pathways:

The  Special Purpose Locum Tenens registration is for physicians looking to work in New Zealand for 12 months of less. It is for individuals who are board certified in their specialty by either the US allopathic or osteopathic boards;  eligible specialties include Anesthesia, Cardiothoracic surgery, Dermatology, Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, NeuroSurgery, OB/GYN, Orthopedic Surgery, ENT, Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery, Palliative Medicine, Pathology, Plastic Surgery, Psychiatry, Radiation Oncology, PM&R, and Urology. At the end of the 12 months or when your contract ends (whichever comes first) the registration will be canceled.

The Vocational Specialist Registration (VOC 3) is for physicians hoping to work in New Zealand for 12 months or more. This process and application is specific for your specialty.

The Comparable Health System Pathway is for individuals who are not board-certified in their specialty and generally involves more involved supervision to progress to VOC3 or Special Purpose Registration.

Finding a Job

There are several ways to find a job. The job will require an identified supervisor for your clinical practice to fulfill the above requirements.

1. Browse the Hippocratic Adventures Job Board for current openings.
2. Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) has plenty of job openings for international doctors. It offers a broad range of opportunities for Senior Medical Officers (doctor’s who have completed training )  in a range of environments from fast-paced metropolitan centers to community-focused healthcare in urban, rural, and remote settings. 👉 Browse their current job openings on the Hippocratic Adventures Job Board. 
3. Kiwi Health Jobs advertises all jobs posted to New Zealand’s 20 districts health boards (DHB) and those available by other public, private, and non-profit employers. Alternatively you can search the district health boards directly or the vacancies listed by the New Zealand Medical Journal and New Zealand Doctor.
4. Use a Recruitment Agency: Many recruitment agencies hire US physicians to work in New Zealand. An agency’s fees are typically covered by the hospital – not the physician. Below you will find our partner recruitment organizations. These partners do not charge physicians any fees. If you reach out, mention that you’re part of the Hippocratic Adventures community.
   • NZDr is a New Zealand owned and operated specialist medical recruitment agency. They are one of several preferred suppliers to all 20 District Health Boards and recruit Hospital Specialists and GP’s across New Zealand. NZDr assists with finding the role and location that is right for you, be it Locums, Permanent or a Fixed Term contract. They provide a tailored vacancy search, guidance through the Medical Council registration process and manage the immigration process through their own in-house licensed immigration advisor. 👉 Explore NZDr’s current New Zealand opportunities on the Hippocratic Adventures Job Board.
   • Tāmaki Health is a leading primary healthcare organisation in New Zealand with a strong reputation for delivering high‑quality, patient‑centred care. Operating a large network of medical centres and urgent care services, they are committed to improving access to healthcare through innovation, technology, and a people‑first approach. Their teams are united by a shared purpose: to make a meaningful difference to the health and wellbeing of the communities they serve. 👉Apply to their current openings here. 
   • Origin Medical Recruitment: With over 10 years’ experience in successfully helping doctors from the US and elsewhere come to work in New Zealand, Origin is one of the preferred suppliers to the 20 District Health Boards. Their objective is to help you and your family have the best experience possible by taking all the stress and complication out of the medical council, immigration and logistical steps needed to work in New Zealand. There is zero cost to doctors in using Origin’s services so please get in touch today and they’ll be delighted to assist you. 👉 Explore Origin Medical’s current New Zealand opportunities on the Hippocratic Adventures Job Board.
   • Global Medical Staffing is a locum tenens agency with a worldwide reach that places U.S. doctors in New Zealand, Australia, Guam, Saipan, the Caribbean, Canada, and of course, the United States, and are regularly expanding into new countries. This worldwide reach means that GMS is probably there if a location is peaceable. 👉 Explore Global Medical Staffing’s current New Zealand opportunities on the Hippocratic Adventures Job Board.

Salary & Work Culture

The standard work week for a general practitioner ranges from 32-40 hours per week and anything above it is typically compensated as overtime. The annual salary (in NZ dollars) varies with type of practice, seniority, and location –  a resident salary is around $100,000 (yes, a resident salary), a general practitioner salary is around $180,000, and a specialist salary is around $200,000 – 300,000.

Importantly, New Zealand has a Multi-Employer Collective Agreement (MECA) for physicians who work for the District Health Board. The MECA is a standard contract, which does not vary based on location, and includes standard salary steps,  annual leave, employment benefits, etc. The base salary is calculated by the year in which you passed your boards and is the same for all specialties. For more information check out Answering 15 Common Questions about Moving to New Zealand. 

The salary for a permanent or fixed-term position isn’t affected if a recruitment agency is involved, as compensation is typically based on experience.A job package could also include a stipend for costs related to relocation, housing, and car rental.

Immigration

You need a job offer before applying for a visa and you need to be eligible for registration or registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand. There is a shortage of healthcare providers in New Zealand and you can explore various visa options here.

We recently contacted Martin King, a licensed immigration adviser at NZDr for his expertise regarding physician immigration to New Zealand. He shared that:

“There are various visa options available dependent upon your length of stay and other personal requirements:

There are 2 main categories of visa, Temporary such as Work and Study visas which are appropriate for a specific purpose and finite period of time and Residence visas which provide a longer term or permanent option. All visa options require an offer of employment and approval of the appropriate medical registration enabling the work to be undertaken.

Work visas are issued in keeping with the duration of the work contract up to a maximum of 5 years. Partners can be issued with their own work visa that permits employment with any employer, school aged dependents under 20 can be granted student visas to attend school and they have domestic student status.

Residence can be applied for through the straight to residence pathway. This is a fast-track process for those with the highest-demand skills, including all Physicians. All immediate family (partner and dependents) are included in the one application. Dependents up to age 24 can be included as long as they meet the dependency requirements.

All applicants for all visa types must meet health and character requirements. It’s advisable to complete a visa eligibility check with an immigration adviser before proceeding, particularly if there is any health matter. “

Want to check your eligibility for a visa? Email Martin King from NZDr for your FREE eligibility check – no obligations, no strings attached.

Bottom Line

A US-trained physician can practice medicine in New Zealand without repeating residency. This process can take 3-6 months and requires a bit of paperwork. But at the end of it all imagine yourself spending the weekend hiking from hut to hut, soaking in a natural hot spring, learning about the Maori culture, and eating a meat (or veggie) pie! Worth it?

Dr. Ashwini Bapat is a palliative care physician, Founder and CEO of EpioneMD, which provides virtual advanced care planning and serious illness coaching to individuals and telepalliative care consultation to healthcare organizations. She resides in Portugal.

For a personalized approach to moving to New Zealand learn more about how our Guidance Service can help. 

Jobs for Doctors in New Zealand