Registering in NZ and then moving to Australia - How Long?

[dinasaurusrex]

Is there a minimum time that you have to work in new zealand before you can transfer your registration to oz?

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[physiobob]

Why would you rush to make a move. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The outdoor activities are awesome and the food is not only fab but cheap as well. I would suggest everyone considers New Zealand as an excellent place to go and work as a Physio. You can always make a holiday trip to Australia but to be honest the quality of the PT graduates from NZ is also excellent so you will learn and experience just as much.

[equiphys]

As far as i am aware, the most beautiful country in the world (Australia) and the second most beautiful country in the world (NZ) have Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition for physiotherapy registration. You just have to register in each Aust State that you wish to work in (may be changing in the future though), which can be expensive if you are travelling around!!!

[constantwanderer]

I've worked in both places. Once you have your license to practise in NZ, you can apply for Trans-Tasman Recognition in whatever state you'd like to work in Oz. You don't have to do one day's work in NZ to do this. You should listen to PhysioBob though, if you are going to go through all the time and effort to get an NZ license, you should take the time to use it. Also, some employers in Oz might be a little suspicious of a potential employee who appeared to get their license via a "back door" route.

If you haven't lived/worked in Oz or NZ previously, I can tell you from experience that NZ is a little easier to adjust to, and even a few months work there will go a long way towards enjoying your time in Oz (and likely getting a better job!).

[RichD]

Hi I'm a 3rd yr physiotherapy student and qualify in July. I was just wondering what the process of working in NZ was? As I understand that i need 12 months experience before I am up to NZ standards. However in the UK physiotherapy jobs are very sparse. Is it possible to get a job in NZ as a physiotherapist and then apply for the registration?

[oscar]

Unfortunatley no, you need at least 12 months work experience before applying to work in NZ (or have done the 4yr physio degree- Ireland/Scotland) and you cannot work in NZ in any capacity as a physio until you've been registered. I do know the board does accept unpaid work as experience, so if you manage to get some voluntary work etc that will count

[RichD]

Thanks for your reply Oscar

Just to clarify if i'm unable to find work in England, I could do voluntary work anywhere in the world as long as it amounts to a years work? Are there a specific number of hours i would need to do? Or do you know of a website I could use to find this type of information?

My original plan was to take the ACOPRA exams and work in australia. but if Ii qualify in July 08, and if I pass the eligibility assessment, it wont be till sept 2009 till I can take the written exam. So I was thinking if I take the year and try to find work/work experience as a physiotherapist, I could apply to be registered in NZ and then work in NZ before going to Australia using the Trans Tasman agreement. Does that sound like a viable route? or would I also need to take exams to work in NZ? And if so, would the process be as long?

Thank you for your help
Rich

[Fyzzio]

Hi Richard,
just a comment to Oscar's post: Unpaid= voluntary work is (as far as I know)accepted by the board only, as long as you work as a registered Physio in that country. So work as a Physio assistant or aid worker, etc., doesn't count. However, if you are employed by the Red Cross as a physio, just don't get paid for it = donate your service, then it is accepted.
However, I would suggest you try and get your 12 months worth of work experience in GB/ Ireland/ Scotland and then apply for rego in NZ.
Good luck,
Fyzzio

[RichD]

Thanks Fyzzio.

That information is really helpful, I never thought of working for Red Cross and even if its only vonlutary work at least it will keep me in practice. I'll definatly look into that. Are the exams for NZ as diifficult as for Aus?

Thanks again

Rich

[Fyzzio]

Sorry, Rich,
don't know anything about the exams in NZ, but with a British degree, you really shouldn't worry too much. You'll be fine.
Regards,
Fyzzio