New Zealand has long been a very well-liked travel destination for medical professionals at all stages of training who want to broaden their horizons and experience life and work in a different culture and healthcare system. It's understandable why so many people are drawn to New Zealand due to its breathtaking scenery, pleasant climate, endless opportunities to experience the great outdoors, innumerable vineyards, and favourable working conditions and compensation.

New Zealand consistently ranks among the nations with the highest standards of living in the world and is a key participant in most international quality of life surveys. The nation is both a contemporary and an interesting location to live in and offers a secure, quality environment with healthy living alternatives. NZ proudly touts its advancements in renewable technology, health IT, and alternative sustainable energy generation, all of which are boosting its strong market, attracting international interest and capital, and enabling NZ-based businesses to collaborate with global industry leaders.

There are no limits on where a doctor may work (you are not compelled to work in a "region of need"), and the licensing and migration processes are quicker than in Australia (3-6 months versus 6-9 months minimum), providing you with the widest range of job openings and locales. While most businesses desire a commitment of 12 months, six-month contracts are accessible.  It's also feasible to obtain steady employment for individuals looking for a long-term transfer.

Healthcare in New Zealand

A mixture of government aid and private payments are used to pay for basic healthcare, which includes general practice, outpatient services, and medications. General practitioners offer people, communities, and the public primary, community-based, thorough, and ongoing patient-centred care. Many general practices are privately owned enterprises, although GPs are sometimes employed by publicly financed institutions like neighbourhood trusts, crisis and emergency departments, or Maori health providers.

Typically, new GPs to New Zealand starts on a salary, with the possibility to subsequently buy into or take over the practice if they so want. Practices are a part of a Primary Health Organization (PHO) in the area, which is managed by the relevant District Health Board. PHOs are financed in accordance with the demography and medical costs of their respective populations, and GPs, Practice Nurses, Mori health professionals, and other basic healthcare providers collaborate to address the regional citizenry's demands.

For individuals who qualify, tertiary healthcare services, such as acute hospitalization, are provided without charge. There are more people in New Zealand with private health insurance than ever before, and there are many private hospitals.

Registration + Checklist to start work as a doctor in New Zealand

The Medical Council of New Zealand offers a flexible licensing process that enables physicians to meet a variety of requirements to get registered. Your path to completing registration will be evaluated by the MCNZ, taking into account a variety of variables, such as your credentials, your practical training, and whether you desire to work continuously in New Zealand or as a locum for up to 12 months. Based on the type of registration requested, the process might take up to 4 months. The skilled and knowledgeable registration and immigration consultants will evaluate your credentials and your goals and provide you with guidance on the best course of action.

1. MCNZ

The MCNZ is a permit to operate that is required before you may begin working. You will receive a 6-month temporary licence to practise if you are a UK graduate, which will then be transformed into a full licence to practise if you are "signed off" at the conclusion of the term. Recommendations are required by the MCNZ as well; you may use the same ones you use for employment applications.

The application might be expensive. Most individuals first pay a $400 startup cost before paying the real license price. The licensing price ranges from $700 to $1,000, but it varies based on your birthday.

Being "called for an interview" comes after submitting a license application. An MCNZ-approved notary must do this simple exercise of document verification and form completion in New Zealand. It's free. You will obtain a practising license after completing everything and all the necessary documentation has been authorised.

Contact the MCNZ to inform them that your job is completed in New Zealand. They advise continuing on their registry as a non-practising doctor if you are even contemplating working in New Zealand once more.  Right now, it's free.

2. Visa

The Essential Skills Visa and the Holiday Working Visa are the two primary types of visas that allow for employment. To explore more Visa Options, visit the New Zealand Immigration Website.

3. Indemnity

To work in New Zealand, you must have professional indemnity insurance. Look at the NZRDA website's indemnity insurance page. A few businesses offer indemnification; it is vital to find out which is ideal for you. Medicus, NZMP, and MPS-NZ are available options.

Pay and working conditions

With low taxes (the tax rate is presently set at 33%) and no national insurance payment, New Zealand offers competitive salaries and a high standard of living. In general, doctors claim that working circumstances are far better than in the past, with more study time, more time off for vacation, and shorter work weeks to promote a better work-life balance.

Additionally, you could have the chance to enrol in a superannuation plan, where you would pay up to 6% of your total salary into an account of your choice in New Zealand, with matching funds from your workplace. When you resign or depart New Zealand, you can then use these savings.

Must know for quality living

?      Cost of living - An exceptional standard of living is readily within your reach because of good earnings, fewer taxes, no national insurance, and a cheaper cost of living. Compared to their previous country, New Zealand often provides new immigrants with a good alignment between the cost of living and culture.

?      Housing options - Many people opt to rent a home first before subsequently purchasing one. It provides you with the opportunity to become accustomed to the area where you'll be living before you buy. For a three-bedroom house, the national median rent is about NZ$350 per week. Costs are often higher in urban areas (Auckland is the most costly), whereas they are typically lower in the South Island. This pattern also holds true for home purchases. Newspapers and real estate sites both offer residences and flats for rent and for sale.

Conclusion

Moving into a new country, especially with a well-respected profession, is always exciting. Adding to that is moving into a country notorious for its exceptional quality of life and world-class culture. If you have made the decision to become a doctor in New Zealand, we are very happy and excited for you.

As a global recruitment agency, Medfuture carries with it an abundance of opportunities, and we are positive that we also hold the ideal position for you. Check out the available positions and offers, check out https://www.medfuture.co.nz/ or call us on 0800 633 388 for more information.