Bringing Schools & Teachers Together

SO HOW DO I GET TO WORK IN NZ AS A TEACHER????

In summary, two things need to happen

1. To teach in NZ you must be a NZ registered teacher

To become a NZ registered teacher you need to have your qualifications and experience assessed to see how this relates to NZ based qualifications.

Generally speaking a teacher with a good degree and/or teaching diploma from UK; South Africa; Australia; Canada; USA will probably be registered – but there are no guarantees until you have put your submission thought the appropriate channels.

Go to Registration and Qualifications: for more details. You can undertake this assessment process from your home country and you are advised to do this. You can also do this if already in NZ

Assuming your qualifications are in order, and the Teachers Council registers you, then this means you can legally teach in a NZ school.

2. You need to be entitled to work in NZ

Achieving registration is a legal requirement for anyone to teach in NZ (including NZ teachers.). But for overseas teachers that is not enough.

You also need to be granted permission to work in NZ by immigration authorities. This may be in the form of being granted Permanent Residency or being granted a Temporary Work Permit. See Immigration for more details.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
You do not have to follow the process outlined below sequentially. For example you can get a work permit (in some circumstances) and then apply for a job. However the sequence outlined below is the safest.

1. Have your qualifications assessed by NZQA

• You will need to provide certified copies or originals of all documentation. This process involves producing evidence of teacher education in the form of degree or diploma, and experience.
• The NZQA assessment will provide
• A statement of equivalency with New Zealand qualifications is made available to you to provide to the Teachers Council. These things take some time to complete and there is a cost involved. Check www.nzqa.govt.nz.
• An NZQA equivalency statement is also required to ensure that teachers receive the correct salary. When you start teaching you will be paid as a beginning teacher until the NZQA statement is received.

2. Register with the Teachers Council

• All teachers at primary and secondary level in New Zealand must be registered with the Teachers Council. You will need to provide them with your NZQA assessment report and other documentation. An application form for this is available on www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz.
• Overseas teachers must also display a high level of proficiency in oral and written English by achieving a test. You will need to produce a certificate or results sheet as part of your application. Citizens of some countries such as UK, Canada and USA are exempt from this requirement. A full list of countries that are exempt is included with the application form for registration.

3. Apply for a job

In New Zealand, schools are responsible for employing their own staff. There is no central staffing agency and no government department responsible for staff placement. All applications should be made therefore, to the employing school.

There are different ways of finding a job

• Work through a recruitment agent such as Teacher Recruitment Services. We can help you with the assessment, registration, immigration and application processes.
• Apply directly to schools
• Use Internet online services such as Teacher Recruitment Online to apply for vacancies directly and instantly
• Obtain copies of the Education Gazette which has most NZ teaching vacancies listed
• Search newspapers for job advertisements
  

4. Get a work permit

The final step is to obtain a work permit from the New Zealand Immigration Service. See Immigration