The Nursing Council assesses each applicant on an individual basis and does not operate a system of reciprocal registration or enrolment except for Australian applicants who meet the requirements of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (1988).
All overseas nurses applying for registration must have:
- current registration with an overseas regulatory authority
- successfully completed of a nursing programme that is, in the Nursing Council’s opinion, equivalent to a three-year bachelor degree programme in nursing and at level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework
- two years post-registration nursing practice (of at least 2500 hours) within the five years immediately before the date of the application
- if directed by the Nursing Council, completed a Nursing Council-approved competence assessment programme.
Nurses from countries other than Australia need to score at least a 7 in all bands of the International English Language Testing System or a B or A in all bands of the Occupational English Test. The scores can be achieved over a succession of tests within 12 months of first sitting the test.
Applicants from Australia
The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA) came into effect on 1 May 1998. Applicants with nursing registration in Australia can apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand under TTMRA.
Please contact the Nursing Council for the appropriate application form:
| Postal address | PO Box 9644 Marion Square Wellington 6141 New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Phone | +64 4 385 9589 |
| Fax | +64 4 801 8502 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | Nursing Council of New Zealand |
| Street address | Level 12 Mid City Tower 139–143 Willis Street Wellington New Zealand |