New Zealand: Long Term and Regional Skills Shortages in Healthcare
New Zealand: What Healthcare Roles are Classified as Long Term and Regional Skills Shortages?
New Zealand is an attractive destination for expatriate professionals in the healthcare and social services sector. Its stable economy, magnificent landscape and warm, sunny climate exert a strong pull for professionals seeking a better quality of life than that afforded in their home countries. The working conditions are generally better too; shorter working hours and a less pressured working environment make for a more pleasant experience with extra time for study, research or learning new skills or hobbies. Remuneration is generous and more than compensates for the cost of living in New Zealand which can be higher than that of many European countries.
Before making plans to move to New Zealand, it is worth taking a look at the skills shortages defined by the New Zealand government as critical for the country's long term growth and stability. The lists of skills are not exclusive and it is possible to secure a job not formally defined as a shortage discipline, but the chances of securing an offer of employment in a defined shortage role are significantly higher. Skills shortages also determine the type of visa which you can obtain and your ability to eventually obtain permanent residency.
New Zealand has two skills shortage lists: the
Long Term Skills Shortage List and the
Regional Skills Shortage List and we shall review both below.
The Long Term Skills Shortage List
The Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) identifies occupations where there is a sustained and on-going shortage of highly skilled workers both globally and throughout New Zealand. If you get a job in an occupation on the LTSSL and meet the list requirements, you may be granted a Work to Residence visa under the Long Term Skill Shortage List work visa. This means that you may be eligible to apply for residence in two years, provided you meet standard requirements and that job has a base salary of at least NZ$45,000.
The latest LTSSL is effective from 27 May 2019. This list is part of Government immigration instructions as described in section 22 of the Immigration Act 2009 and Government residence instructions as described in sections 22 and 23 of the Immigration Act 2009.
Shortage skills are identified by Occupational Group, Occupation and LTSSL Requirements.
Health and Social Services Shortage Occupations and Requirements
LTTS: Health and Social Services Shortage Occupations
| Occupation | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist (253917) | NZ registration within a relevant provisional vocational or vocational scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand (Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (NZQF Level 7) |
| General Practitioner (253111) | NZ registration within a relevant provisional general, general, provisional vocational or vocational scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand (Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (NZQF Level 7) |
| Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (253913) | NZ registration within a relevant provisional general or general scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand (Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (NZQF Level 7) |
| Psychiatrist (253411) | NZ registration within a relevant provisional vocational or vocational scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand (Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (NZQF Level 7) |
| Surgeon (General) (253511) | NZ registration within a relevant provisional vocational or vocational scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand (Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (NZQF Level 7) |
| Specialist Physician in Palliative Medicine (253399) | NZ registration within a relevant provisional vocational or vocational scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand (Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (NZQF Level 7) |
| Veterinarian (234711) | NZ registration with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. (A qualification in this area of absolute skill shortage is: Bachelor of Veterinary Science (NZQF Level 7) |
| Clinical Psychologist (272311) | NZ registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board (Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are: Post Graduate Diploma, Master degree or Doctor of Clinical Psychology; Master of Clinical Psychology (NZQF Level 9); Master of Applied Psychology (NZQF Level 9); or Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (NZQF Level 8 |
| Medical Radiation Therapist (251212) | NZ registration in the scope of practice as a Radiation Therapist with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board (Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are: a bachelor's degree at NZQF Level 7, or higher qualification, which includes the requirements of a major in Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy. |
| Medical Laboratory Scientist – including Cytotechnologist (Cytoscientist) (234611) | NZ registration in the scope of practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist by the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand (A qualification in this area of absolute skill shortage is: Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (NZQF Level 7) |
| Physicist (Medical) (234914) | One of the following: - Certification by the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers (ACPSEM) in Medicine as a Medical Physicist - Registration or eligibility for registration on the ACPSEM Register of Qualified Medical Physics Specialists - Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council, United Kingdom and Membership of the Institute of Physics and Engineering Medicine, United Kingdom - Certification as a Medical Physicist by the American Board of Radiology in Medical Physics - Certification of Competence in Clinical Medical Physics as a Member of the Canadian College of Physics in Medicine. |
| Physiotherapist (252511) | NZ registration as a physiotherapist in the general scope of practice or the specialist scope of practice with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand (Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are: a bachelor's degree at NZQF Level 7, or higher qualification, which includes the requirements of a major. |
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412) | NZ Registration in the scope of practice as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing Council of New Zealand AND a minimum of three years’ work experience in adult hospital care. |
| Sonographer (251214) | NZ registration in the scope of practice as a Sonographer with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board (Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are: a bachelor's degree at NZQF Level 7, or higher qualification, which includes the requirements of a major in Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy. |
Regional Skills Shortage List
The Regional Skill Shortage List (RSSL) includes occupations where skilled workers are required in particular regions of New Zealand and indicates that there are no New Zealand citizens or residents available to take up the position. This enables faster processing of the application.
If you are offered a job on the RSSL and meet the list requirements you may be granted an Essential Skills work visa. This means that you are permitted to work in New Zealand temporarily. You will not necessarily be able to apply for permanent residence.
The revised Regional Skill Shortage List is effective from 27 May 2019. This list is part of Government immigration instructions as described in Section 22 of the Immigration Act 2009. It covers 15 regions of New Zealand including both North and South Islands.
- Northland
- Auckland
- Waikato
- Bay of Plenty
- Gisborne
- Hawke's Bay
- Taranaki
- Whanganui - Manawatu
- Wellington
- Nelson - Tasman
- Marlborough
- West Coast
- Canterbury
- Otago
- Southland
View the latest regional skills shortage list by clicking on the link below.
NZ Regional Skills Shortage List 2019.pdf
Size: 750 KB
Medical and Healthcare Jobs in New Zealand
Jobs in the healthcare system tend to dominate skills shortage lists and doctors in most specialities feature strongly. If you are interested in working in New Zealand on a short or long term contract, please register your CV or contact us to discuss your potential options. You can read about New Zealand's health care system and view advertised jobs.
27 July 2021
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