Bringing Schools & Teachers Together

You can work in New Zealand if you are:

• a New Zealand citizen or
• a New Zealand Residence Permit holder
• an Australian citizen or
• an Australian resident and an Australian Resident Return Visa holder or
• the holder of a work visa or permit (e.g. a working holiday scheme visa or permit)

 

The New Zealand Immigration Service publishes a series of pamphlets on all aspects relating to overseas teachers wishing to work in New Zealand.

For people from overseas thinking of teaching in NZ, there are broadly two ways in which yhey can get to work in NZ

New Zealand residency - You apply for and are granted NZ residency. NZ operates a “points” system – the more points the greater the chance of getting residency, based on skilled immigrant assessment. Different thresholds are set from time to time. Teachers with good qualifications and a job offer are likely to do well with an application. Teachers with the right qualifications (particularly secondary teachers where there is a shortfall) but without a job offer, have a reasonable chance of success. Note however that age, siblings in NZ etc are all part of the equation and there are no guarantees. This process can take from 6-9 months and can cost upward of $NZ3000. Immigration does enable you to “test your likelihood of success” and you should do this. Go to Immigration to check more details.

If you have a job offer, and you meet all the right criteria you can apply for a Temporary work permit pending the residency process. Click here for more details

Working Holiday Scheme Work Visa or permit - NZ has reciprocal arrangements with a number of countries which enable young people (18-30) to come to NZ on a working holiday. There are different criteria for different countries and you need to check eligibility. There are restrictions on the number of permits issued for each country. You should chaeck the details for each country of origin, but generally the rules include

• 18-30 years of age
• no children
• you have not been here before on a working holiday scheme
• you have sufficient fiunds
• you can not work for one employer for more than 3 months

Relief teaching is a good avenue for teachers coming over on this scheme - however, do note that you have to be a NZ registered teacher to teach in NZ - see qualifications and registration

There is nothing to stop someone entering NZ on a Working Holiday Work Permit and then applying for permanent residency. Go to Immigration for more details on whether who might qualify for this. If you are in NZ on a visitors permit and you obtain a job offer you can apply for a work permit but this is not recommended.

Australian citizens and permanent residents do not require work visas.

Overseas teachers can be in New Zealand on work permits for a maximum of three years. At the end of that time they must either have residency or leave the country.

Immigration requirements are available from the New Zealand Immigration Service.

• Working in NZ
• Explain the process
• Working holidays
• Residency etc

Remember - even if you are eligible to work in New Zealand (through resideny, work permit etc) you must be a Registered Teacher to teach in NZ - it is wise to complete the process of having your NZQA and Teachers councils assessment completed before arrival - because there are very strict limits on teaching if you are not registered.