Hi,

I'm applying for my NZ reg at the mo so may be of some help.

You do definately need a minimum of 1 years experience when you apply as they will just fail your application straight away. Of course you can begin putting together your portfolio now as by the time you have finished it, its likely you will have completed that first years experience.

Start with completing the undergraduate sections....get all your documents signed, stamped, verified etc (that takes time in itself). Start collecting IST powerpoints and get them signed by your supervisor. I'm lucky enough to have experience in different areas HOWEVER, if you don't you have to be creative....volunteer for a couple of weeks in the area you're lacking, get a part time job at a sports club. Once you start working you will meet other people and they'll all have suggestions....even just doing CPD courses and reflecting on these will enhance your application hugely particularly if you dont have experience in a certain area. Also physio practices often overlap so use your new B5 experiences creatively....i.e an inpatients rotation may include some respiratory and msk physio, as you may expect some neuro perhaps in an outpatients setting. Even using your job description as evidence and getting colleague references will strenghten your application.

My biggest tip would be to start collecting evidence now and do your portfolio as you progress through band 5 rotations so that this time next year, once you've got that year in the bag you can send it straight off.

ALSO read the NZ physio board website....read the application pack and make sure you know exactly what is required of you.

Hope that helps