Can I work in New Zealand as a GP?

New Zealand GP Registration Pathways

There are three different pathways to medical registration for GPs in New Zealand. One is competent authority which can be used if you completed your medical training in either the UK or Ireland, the other is Vocational registration which is a route to Specialist registration which is quite a lengthy and expensive application.

If you completed your primary medical degree in a country other than the UK or Ireland then you may be eligible for the Comparable Health pathway. It’s this route to registration we’re going to discuss in this blog

Comparable Health Pathway

The Medical Council of New Zealand have various criteria to ensure a country is recognised as having a comparable health system to New Zealand. The MCNZ consider Public Health indicators such as life expectancy and mortality. They also consider the practice environment and registration indicators such as the similarity of the registration system.

The Council recognises 23 countries as being comparable. You can apply for registration via this pathway if you have recent experience in a comparable health system. If you are currently working as a GP in the UK but completed your medical degree elsewhere, this is the pathway we will use for registration. If you’re currently working in one of the countries listed below, we will also use this pathway for your registration.

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Israel
Italy
Norway
Portugal
Republic of Ireland
Singapore
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The Netherlands
United Kingdom
United States of America

Am I eligible for GP Registration in New Zealand

To meet these criteria, you must hold the following:

An acceptable primary medical qualification
Have practised clinically for at least 33 months out of the last 48 months for a minimum of 20 hours in a comparable health system
Have practised in the same area of medicine for those 33 months
Hold current full or general registration in your comparable health system

Have completed a formal postgraduate GP training programme and been awarded a postgraduate qualification in general practice in a comparable health system within the preceding three years immediately prior to application; and
Have practised in a comparable health system, for at least 33 months (for at least 30 hours per week) of the 48 months prior to application, including at least 18 months (full-time equivalent) of practice in general practice and
Hold current full or general registration with the regulatory authority

If you hold a GP qualification and / or experience from one of the countries listed above and would like to find out more, get in touch with our team today to discuss further.

Further Reading

An overview of the Registration pathway and what practices are looking for in GPs moving

Find out more about what the cost of living is like as a GP in New Zealand

How are you supported into GP practice in New Zealand

8 Benefits for GPs moving to New Zealand