Help wanted in new zealand

[uhsphysio]

Hi,
am not sure where you got that information from, but this is simply NOT true.
School graduations, e.g. European graduate diplomas are not accepted in NZ at all. It has to abe a university based degree.
No one can get automatically registered in NZ. Everyone has to go through a quite long wearing process of application.
Those with a 4 year degree as from Ireland or Scotland will have it easier, but the English degree does not even fulfill the minimal entry criteria in NZ - that of having to complete 4 years of training. So, the English Physios have to work as Physios for 12 months, before they are permitted to apply.

If you would have read the FAQ of the Physiotherapy Board's website, you would know that! Otherwise, just ask those of us who have been through the process. Most of us will have that information in form of a letter.

Lovely regards,
Fyzzio

When applying for registration, it is important to understand that this is a game, and to play it as such. The FAQ's are fairly clear. It does not mention anything about "European" degrees, other than Netherlands specifically, India, the Phillipines, and USA. So what are you talking about? Also, it's important to understand that this is about more than just you. There are other hidden factors that affect your application, arguably politics, and your ability to persist. If you give up easily, then there's your answer. I also help our employees with immigration, and with that too it is easy to take things personally, when it's best not to. I think this is part of a test of your character, and it's nothing personal. Do you REALLY want to live here, and do what's necessary? A loser "does his best" but a winner "does what's necessary." If you give up easily, well, then there's your answer. If you re-submit, you may very well succeed.

Keep in mind that you are not required to take an exam, like other practitioners, such as chiropractors, and it's a test from hell. You just have to take a lot of time to spend on paperwork, and getting it right. The goal is to show equivalency to a 4 year undergraduate degree in NZ, nothing more, nothing less. Also, do you understand that many people get registered in NZ so they can "jump the ditch" and practice in Australia? In Australia, you are required to be supervised for 90 days, so good luck jumping through that hoop, and finding an employer who wants to fart with the paperwork for being your supervisor. So you might be getting your application spit back at you because they "simply aren't in the mood." Yes, you have to pay a fee, but please consider the cost for you is relatively cheap, when you consider chiropractors have to pay $4000 for a test from hell that they only stand a 50% chance of passing (on a good day, for a time NZ was failing everybody who took it, literally), forcing potential chiropractors to take the test in Australia, where they had a better chance (50%), and then transfer the registration to NZ via the backdoor Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition agreement. Add to that the cost of airfare from the other side of the world to take the test, lodging, and study time, and it's not a small amount- closer to $10,000. So excuse me for a minute when I say "boo-hoo" about your $1200 investment, and a bit of paperwork hassle.


We just hired an osteopath who is a UK grad, and she had to pay $4600 in fees (basically the cost of taking the test, even though her school was exempted, yet they happily kept her money, nonetheless), so by comparison, the $1200 you pay to apply is peanuts. And yes, we also have a UK trained physio, who worked in a UK hospital for a couple of years before registering, and before that was a new grad. Being registered and having a couple of years of experience, in addition to a job offer in New Zealand, probably helped her overall assessment, ultimate registration, and she was approved straight away. That said, being registered in the UK, even if not practicing, I think also helps your chances. "If the UK registered you, then why shouldn't we?" They don't want to be the first to register, I reckon, unless you are a Kiwi.

I sincerely believe that when the physiotherapy board receives an application, their first question is "who are you, and why do you come here? Will you be like the last 3 we approved who never stepped foot in New Zealand, and now work in Sydney?" and so you may have caught them on a bad day, and the need to deny their quota, you just had bad luck, and you are part of that quota. Yet, as I have counseled a couple who were about to be deported on their immigration, "When you get to a wall, you can go over, under, around, or through, but certainly don't stop till you reach the goal."

3 year degree? I will have to ask around if I know anyone who got in with a 3 year degree. The question is, "is it equivalent to the 4 year course offered here?" All they care about is the 3 main areas of physiotherapy, and that your degree is equivalent to a New Zealand 4 year for an undergraduate. At a worst case, you could enroll as a student and get that last year, or request the syllabus of the 2 physio colleges here, to compare them to your transcript, or simply ask again, and maybe the physio board is in a better mood this time. Again, it's a game, and the one who quits, loses. How badly do you want it? I'm sure a lot of applicants just sort themselves out by quitting. While they say it has no bearing on your application, I certainly don't think it hurts to include an offer letter from a New Zealand employer with your application. They will throw it away, but they know it is there, and that letter will say you are serious. Another thing you can do is get a working holiday visa, to further show your commitment. If you choose to go to Aussie later, then that's your business, but your intentions should be sincere, and you should plan on working here at least for a little while, before "hopping the ditch." It's a sensitive issue.

I will ask our UK trained physio if she has a 3 or 4 year degree. If you did it in 3 years, was that as a post-grad? The bachelor's should be considered, unless it was in something completely unrelated. Where did you get the idea that you can work for 12 months as an "equivalent" of the 4th year of school?

This was also a good perspective on someone who was finally accepted by the NZ board (now working in Australia, apparently- see my point). What's the big deal about Australia? The weather sucks- too hot for my tastes. Too many poisonous critters. Nothing poisonous here! Cheers, Dan

[Fyzzio]

Hi,
1) I am referring to your comment about graduating "from a school". Some European countries do offer Physiotherapy school diplomas rather than degrees and those are not accepted in NZ.
2) You are required to take an exam in NZ if you do not meet the criteria for registration in a certain area.
3) Yes, I do know that people apply and then transfer to Australia. Did you know that we have to sign a statuary declaration to explain our intent to practice in NZ?
4) Who is interested in what Chiropractors have to do?
5) Did I complain about the fee, the process or the paperwork? Don't think so. I found it all relatively easy and had no problems registering - without an agency... I was guided by the people from the Physioboard and found them really rather helpful.
6) Looking at the FAQ does not give you all the information. Please read page 4 of the application guideline document to check what applicants with a 3 year degree have to do to be eligiable for NZ registration. It's spelled out there clearly- nothing to do with anyone's mood.
7) Obviously I stayed here, but I do go to Aussie for holidays ...

Rgeards,
Fyzzio