Studying Nursing leads you the way becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) or an Enrolled Nurse (EN) in New Zealand. Currently, nurses are in demand in New Zealand, and there are more than 1700 active job ads on SEEK NZ. This is good news to nurses wanting to acquire PR status in New Zealand. As the shortage is ongoing, RN and EN are on the Green List as Tier 1 occupations. This allows the graduates to have access to the Straight to Residence Visa. Nurses are not only easy to find a job after graduated, they are also well paid. According to SEEK NZ’s statistics, RNs and ENs are paid annually NZD 90,000 and NZD 75,000 respectively.

As the shortage is predicted to growth in the future, NZ Government put RN and EN as Tier 1 occupations on the Green List. This allows international students to have access to the Straight to Permanent Residence Visa NZ after graduation.

• Nursing course reputation in NZ: Nursing courses in NZ are ranked top 200 in the world. According to QS University Ranking by Subject 2024, University of Auckland and University of Otago’s nursing program are both ranked top 51-100 in the world. University of Otago is also ranked top 200 best teaching performance university in THE by subject ranking (Clinical and Health Sector). 
• Employment Opportunities: Nurses have various employment opportunities in NZ. They are not limited to being employed by hospitals, but also clinics, aged care facilities, and community health care services. Looking at SEEK NZ’s current ads, there are over 1700 active positions. NZ nursing registrations is also recognised by NMBA (Nursing and Midwifery Board Australia) under Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act. This allows nurses registering with Nursing Council of New Zealand to switch to Australian registration and work in Australia without any transferring exams. Moreover, NZ nursing programs is recognised worldwide which enables you to working almost everywhere as a nurse. 
• Staying longer in NZ after graduation: Nursing programme students are entitled to the benefits to apply for Post Study Work Visa, this allows graduating students to stay in NZ for up to 3 years to work and travel.
• More flexible entry requirements: Nursing programmes in NZ do not require applicants to have relevant backgrounds. Comparing to similar programmes in Australia, NZ schools accept applicants from any undergraduate backgrounds to apply for the bachelor and master programmes while the Australian counter parts usually require Biology/Physics/Chemistry subjects in high school or Human Biology subjects in undergraduate level.

  Lower English is another reason makes nursing programs in NZ stand out. While nursing programmes in most of English speaking Commonwealth countries require applicants to have IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 7.0), nursing programmes in NZ require as low of IELTS 6.5 (no bands les than 6.0) or equivalent to be offered a place. After graduation, graduates from non-English speaking backgrounds needs no further English tests to register with Nursing Council of New Zealand.

• Affordable tuition fees: Tuition fees is usually a big concern when it comes to study abroad, NZ education is the cheapest among all Anglophone countries. Nursing diplomas in NZ cost from NZD 17,000/year whereas the degree programmes cost from NZD 28,000/year. Even the most prestigious university – University of Auckland’s bachelor’s programme costs only NZD 39,211.

There are 3 levels of nursing programs in New Zealand. Only accredited courses lead to the outcome of Registered Nurses or Enrolled Nurses.  

• Diploma programmes: Diploma programmes are 18 months in length. The graduates are required to sit the “State Final Examination”. After passing the exam, the passers are entitled to registered with NCNZ as an Enrolled Nurse. 
• Bachelor programmes: Bachelor programmes are 3 years in length. The graduates are required to sit the “State Final Examination”. After passing the exam, the passers are entitled to registered with NCNZ as a Registered Nurse.
• Master programmes: Master programmes offer an alternative pathway for graduate students to change the career. Some of them do not require health related backgrounds and the other offers pathway programs for non-relevant background students. Those programmes are 2 years in length. The graduates are required to sit the “State Final Examination”. After passing the exam, the passers are entitled to registered with NCNZ as a Registered Nurse.

All the universities and polytechnics in New Zealand offer high quality nursing programs. According to the QS by subject ranking, University of Auckland, University of Otago, Massey University and Auckland University of Technology are the top 4 ranked schools among all NZ schools. Unfortunately, nursing programs in Massey University are not available to international students. 

Course Name: New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing

• Tuition Fees: Starting from NZ$25,000
• Duration: 18 Months, Full Time

List of Bachelor & Master programmes – Registered Nurses

• Diploma programmes: Students need NCEA Level 2 (International Year 12) or equivalent to get into diploma programmes. For non English-speaking background students, IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.5) is required.
• Bachelor programmes: Entry requirements vary. Usually students need NCEA Level 3 (International Year 12) or equivalent to get into bachelor programmes. Previous study in Physics, Chemistry or Biology is encouraged when applying to University of Auckland’s Bachelor of Nursing programme. For non English-speaking background students, IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.5) is required. Some universities may have lower requirements. E.g. University of Auckland only requires students to have IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0).
• Master programmes: Entry requirements vary. Students need a NZQF level 7 bachelor’s degree to get into master programmes. Previous study in Physics, Chemistry or Biology is encouraged when applying to University of Auckland’s Bachelor of Nursing programme. For non English-speaking background students, IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.5) is required. Some universities may have higher requirements. E.g. Victoria University of Wellington and University of Waikato require non native speakers to have IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 7.0).

Study healthcare in NZ is relatively more affordable than that in Australia.   

• Diploma programmes: The Diploma programme fees are fixed at NZ$37,500 per course (18 months) in New Zealand.
• Higher education programmes: The range of the tuition fees average around NZ$40,000 per year in universities, and around NZ$30,000 in polytechnics.

• Diploma programmes: Graduates of the diploma programmes can register as an Enrolled Nurse with NCNZ. ENs can work in various clinical settings including clinics, hospitals and aged care facilities. Studying to become a RN pathway is available. ENs can be granted up to 1 year of credits when applying to Bachelor of Nursing programmes.
• Higher education programmes: Graduates of the bachelor and master programmes can register as a Registered Nurse with NCNZ. RNs can work in various clinical settings including clinics, hospitals and aged care facilities. Other than front-lined positions, RNs are possible to promote to a clinical education role (e.g. Nursing educator) or a clinic management role (e.g. Nursing Unit Manager).