Also known as: Doctor, Family Doctor, Family Physician, Primary Care Physician
Kia ora!
If you're looking to live and work as a GP in New Zealand - either in a permanent or locum role - it's never been easier than right now.
GPs are on Tier 1 of New Zealand's Green List which means you are eligible for the Straight to Residence Visa and can apply for New Zealand residency before you arrive, provided you have a job offer from an accredited employer. Other benefits of this visa class include being able to buy a house and collect employer superannuation as soon as you enter the country, rather than needing to wait 2 years.
Information on requirements for registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand is available in the registration information section of this page. If you’d like to understand more about what it's like to work as a GP in New Zealand check out these short videos produced by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practice. Their site also has information on how to become a vocationally-registered Fellow.
New Zealand GP Workforce Statistics
Average salary: $145,000 to $210,000 NZD per year
64% work in GP-owned practices
51% work full-time
38% are international medical graduates
Visa Pathways
As a GP, there are two major visa pathways to choose from:
- New Zealand Residency (Recommended)
GPs are on Tier 1 of New Zealand's Green list, meaning that you can apply for a straight-to-residence visa for you and your family from offshore.
To be eligible to New Zealand's straight-to-residence pathway, you must:
- Be 55 years old or younger
- Have a job offer from an accredited employer
- Meet health and character requirements
- Meet English language requirements
This pathway allows your family to be part of your residency application, rather than needing to apply for separate visas for all family members. Having New Zealand residency also allows you to buy a home and qualifies you for employer-matched superannuation straight away. The job offer you get also isn't tied to your residency application, meaning you can move jobs more easily than if you were on a work visa.
- Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
An AEWV is a 3-year work visa that is tied to a job offer, meaning you would need to change the conditions of the visa in order to move roles. Your family would also need to apply for separate work, education and visitor visas that are linked to your AEWV application.
To be eligible for an AEWV, you must:
- Have a job offer from an accredited employer
- Meet health and character requirements
- Provide proof that you are a bona fide applicant as per Immigration New Zealand's requirements
Registration Information
In order to practice in New Zealand, you need to be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand. Depending on your level of qualification, and what country this was obtained in, there are a number of different registration pathways to choose from. Please visit our site to find out more https://somewheredifferent.nz/
It's never been easier to come here and work in healthcare
Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand can offer you:
- Free guidance on visa options for you and your immediate family
- Financial support to help you with the move
- Recruitment expertise to assess your career aspirations and match you with your preferred locations
- Settlement support when you arrive at your new home in New Zealand
Find your new home
Aotearoa New Zealand has ranked second on the Global Peace Index for two years in a row, and has never been outside of the top five since the index launched in 2009.
Whether you like the big city, the beach, the mountains, or all of the above - we have a broad range of places to call home.
Wherever you pick, you're never far away from nature.
Job Type: Full-time
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Night shift
- Weekend availability