Introduction
New Zealand’s population is ageing. By 2036, around 23 per cent of the total population will be aged 65 or over. By 2051, the number of older people with a disability is expected to grow by 60 per cent.
The demand for caregivers in New Zealand continues to rise, resulting in a significant shortage of workers. Therefore, caregivers in New Zealand can easily find jobs, earn good salaries, and have opportunities to apply for work visas and permanent residency. For international students considering permanent residency in New Zealand, becoming a caregiver is an excellent option.
Why study Health and Wellbeing in NZ?
Abundant Employment Opportunities
Despite there being over 30,000 healthcare assistants, vacancies remain frequent due to:
- A significant and increasing number of elderly individuals requiring assistance to remain in their homes.
- The rising demand for healthcare assistants in hospitals due to a lack of registered nurses.
- An ageing workforce, with the majority of healthcare assistants aged between 55 and 64.
Given this background, most students who obtain a healthcare degree in New Zealand secure jobs with accredited companies.
Stay 5 Years in NZ After Course Completion
With a Level 4 Healthcare qualification in New Zealand, you can apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa. This visa allows you to stay and work in New Zealand for five years. Additionally, you can apply for permanent residency afterward.
Option for Permanent Residency (PR)
By obtaining a Level 4 Healthcare qualification in New Zealand and working as a caregiver for two years, you can apply for New Zealand permanent residency through the Sector Agreement stream. This allows you to apply for PR as little as two years after completing your course without needing an employer sponsor. Thus, the difficulty of obtaining PR as a caregiver is lower in New Zealand compared to Australia.
Affordable Tuition Fees
You don’t need to pay high tuition fees like you would for a university. The tuition fees range from NZ$16,000 to NZ$25,000, and most courses are about a year long.
Flexible English Entry Requirements
You can enrol in the course with an IELTS score of 5.5-6.0 at the time of admission. Additionally, if you do not meet the required score, you can fulfil the English language requirement by studying English at a language school in New Zealand for a certain period.
No Background Required
The Healthcare course accepts students who have completed NCEA Level 2 (equivalent to Australia Year 12) or have high school graduation credentials. You can start the course even if you do not have a background in healthcare.
Programs for International Students
Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3)
- Duration: Around 20 weeks
- Internship: 100 hours
- Curriculum Highlights:
- A wider scope of health and wellbeing contexts
- Introduction to mental health, addiction, and community support career opportunities
- Planning and management in NZ healthcare
- Cultural awareness in NZ healthcare
- Professionalism in NZ healthcare
Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Advanced Care and Support) (Level 4)
- Duration: 30-50 weeks
- Internship: 200 hours
- Curriculum Highlights:
- Supporting people living with dementia or complex needs
- Observation skills and responding to changes in health conditions
- Planning and risk management in healthcare
- Leading and working collaboratively in a team environment
- Supporting registered healthcare professionals in carrying out tasks
- Effective communication techniques
- Cultural awareness as a support worker in Aotearoa
Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4)
- Duration: 33 weeks
- Internship: 200 hours
- Curriculum Highlights:
- Aotearoa’s community health work practice
- Communication and cultural identity
- Tikanga and hauora Māori
- Engaging and communicating with Tangata, family, and/or whānau
- Applying knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Developing leadership and self-care
- Contributing to safety and quality in a healthcare organization
- Reflecting on the impacts of the wider health and wellbeing sector
These programs provide a solid foundation and practical experience for students looking to pursue a career in healthcare and wellbeing in New Zealand.
Top colleges for Health and Wellbeing
| Institution | Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) | Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Management Academies Ltd (NZMA) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ara Institute of Canterbury | ✓ | |
| Whitireia/WelTec | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kauri Academy | ✓ | |
| Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) | ✓ | |
| Crown Institute of Studies | ✓ | ✓ |
| New Zealand Skills and Education College (NZSE) | ✓ | ✓ |
Entry Requirements
- English requirement:
You can enroll in the course with an IELTS score of 5.5-6.0 at the time of admission. Additionally, if you do not meet the required score, you can fulfill the English language requirement by studying English at a language school in New Zealand for a certain period.
- Academic requirement:
The Health Care course accepts students who have completed NCEA Level 2 (equivalent to Australia Year 12) or have high school graduation credentials. You can start the course even if you do not have a background in Health Care.
Tuition Fee for Health and Wellbeing
You don’t need to pay high tuition fees like you would for a university. The tuition fees range from NZ$16,000 to NZ$25,000, and most courses are about a year long.
Career Outcomes
- Personal care assistant: Personal care assistants will provide one-on-one care and assistance to elderly individuals who prefer to receive care in their own homes. This role involves helping with personal hygiene, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and providing companionship.
- Aged care worker: Graduates can find employment as aged care workers in various settings, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, retirement communities, or home care agencies. They provide direct care and support to elderly individuals, assisting with daily activities, personal care, medication management, and emotional support.
- Residential care manager: With experience and further qualifications, graduates can progress to supervisory or managerial roles within residential care facilities. In these positions, they oversee the day-to-day operations, manage staff, ensure compliance with regulations, and coordinate resident care services.
- Specialist aged care: Specialist aged care refers to specialized roles within the field of aged care that focus on specific areas or populations. These roles require additional training, expertise, and knowledge to provide specialized care and support to older adults with specific needs.
Migration Pathway
Step 1: Complete New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4)
- Eligibility: High school graduation and an IELTS score of 5.5 to 6.0.
Step 2: Apply for Accredited Employer Work Visa
- Requirements:
- Completion of the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4).
- Visa support from an accredited employer.
- Benefits:
- Allows you to stay and work in New Zealand for five years.
- After working for 2 years on this visa, you can apply for permanent residency (PR).
Step 3: Apply for Residence Visa
- Special PR Pathway: Sector Agreement:
- Requirements:
- Work: Full-time.
- Wage: Minimum $28.25 per hour.
- Work Duration: At least 2 years after completing the Level 4 qualification.
- English: General IELTS overall score of 6.5.
- Age: 55 years or younger.
- Details:
- The sector agreement came into effect on 31 Oct 2022 and will be in place until October 2024, with a possibility of renewal beyond that date.
- Requirements:
By following these steps, healthcare workers can pursue a clear pathway to permanent residency in New Zealand, leveraging their qualifications and work experience in the healthcare sector.
FAQs
Is Health care experience necessary?
Experience in home country would certainly be beneficial in practical settings. However, becoming a caregiver in New Zealand does not require specific qualifications or experience from your home country. The courses include work placements where you can apply what you learn in class to real-world settings, providing opportunities to gain experience in New Zealand’s caregiving field.
Is high English proficiency necessary?
To enrol in the course, a score of IELTS Academic Overall 5.5-6.0 is required, which is an achievable score. However, since the coursework involves tasks in English, higher English proficiency would be advantageous. Additionally, during Work placement (practical training included in the course), skills in Speaking and Listening will also be required.
Does completing the caregiver course allow you to work locally?
While completing the caregiver course is almost essential to work as a caregiver, it does not qualify you to apply for the Post Study Work Visa, which is available for other courses. Instead, you would need to apply for a regular work visa (Accredited Employer Work Visa) to legally work. To apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa, you must have visa support from an accredited employer.