Masters in NZ and registration

[Fyzzio]

Hi,
for postgrad training, you still need to get registration in NZ, but it is under a different scope of practice. The website of the NZ Physioboard has got really detailled information. Go to:
The Physiotherapy Board: Registration - Special Purpose
It sounds like it is easier to get this registration, before going for the full registration under general scope. But, ...?

I have had Indian colleagues, who got NZ registration, but it took quite a while and one of them had to do competency exams.
You are right about Trans-Tasman recognition. Once registered in NZ, you are elegiable to work in Australia. But you will still need to get registered and get a practicing certificate ($$$) from the state in Australia, in which you would like to work in .

Hope this helps,
Fyzzio

[nel]

I want to work in Australia so going via NZ will b easier.I am planning to enroll in PG Diploma in sports and clinical exercise science while my spouse can work full time.We both are looking forwrd to NZ registration.Is it a gud idea to go to NZ like this and later to Aus.Also, could you pl tell when is one eligible to apply for NZ PR,how long does it take, is it easy to get? pl suggest.YOur help will be valuable.Or shud I enroll in some other gud course to gain entry into NZ , OR is there any other route?

[Fyzzio]

Hi Nel,
the basic answer to all your questions unfortunately is: I'm not sure.
1) I don't know much at all about getting permits in NZ. There is some kind of points system for NZ residency (sorry, I got my residency ages ago) and I understand that if your haven't got NZ Physio registration, your undergraduate study and postgraduate study/ work is not accepted into the category of work experience, or whatever that is called now. Please refer to the immigration website;
Immigration New Zealand
Physios might be able to get in under the skilled migrant category. But this is far beyond my expertees.
2) NZ vs Au: Most non-british/ -Scottish/ -Irish/ -Dutch Physios report that it is much easier to get registration in Australia and then get into NZ. In Australia, every thorough undergraduate Physio programme is accepted and applicants then undergo exams. In NZ, you run into danger of having your application declined and then have to re-apply once you have fulfilled the minimum criteria, which takes a lot of time and money (especially when it's two of you). But then again, others get in. Your PD won't help much, as all the Indian Physios that I know were alright in musculoskeletal, but had major problems meeting the competencies for cardiorespiratory skills. Also, I believe, they were told that their programme is not comparable to the NZ one, as about half the study time is spend on Nursing skills and even (?) Vet physio.
It's really difficult to predict anything, but be prepared that any efforts you undertake to get registration/ residency etc. in NZ might take a rather long time.

May I suggest to try and get into contact with Physios from the same university that you have been to (and your spouse) and check, whether they managed to get NZ registration, even just to get a first idea about whether your degree is accepted in NZ.

Good luck,
Fyzzio

[nel]

Thnks for reply, In India all universities and colleges have different course content and curriculum.So, It is nothinmg like we spend study time in nursing skills or vet skills? In our course content, we had specific physio posting in all dept- I mean physio work only in Ortho,neuro,surgery, med, ICU,post op,Maxilofacial,PAEDS,obst.,OPD physio and all. So I dont think thats the problem here.Also, We have considerable exp in cardio res cases in hospital. I think that shud work.WAT SAY?

As far as registration is concerned, Aus exam have always been heard very difficult , so thats why people take NZ route to AUS., isn't it?

Can u just suggest how much time will NZ Reg take?

[Fyzzio]

Hi Nel,
cannot comment on your undergraduate programme, as I am not really sure what the Physioboard is looking for.

As far as registration is concerned, Aus exam have always been heard very difficult , so thats why people take NZ route to AUS., isn't it?

You'll find that it is the Scottish, Irish and British physios who choose the way to Australian registration via NZ. For them, getting NZ registration is really easy. For all others, the other way round might be faster and cheaper and therefore easier. And as I said before, they might get a straight "decline" from NZ Physioboard, so if you run that risk and you ultimately want to live/ work in Australia anyway, why go to NZ first???.
I have not seen, nor done the Australian exam. But it cannot be any more difficult than the exams you might have to do in NZ.

Can u just suggest how much time will NZ Reg take?

If you read the other threats, you can see that some people report, it might take up to six months, until you have collected/ submitted an acceptable application (or you might have it first time) and from then on, anything between 4 weeks and 6 months is reported. I have heard similar stories at work.

Regards,
Fyzzio

[nel]

HI,

What is the status of jobs availability in NZ? If one gets reg. is it easy to get a good paying job?

And can one work as assistant till reg is in process?

[Fyzzio]

Hi Nel,

If one gets reg. is it easy to get a good paying job?

This depends on how flexible you are: which city?, private vs. public, inpatient vs outpatient vs rehab vs community, employed vs. contract/ private, musculoskeletal vs other.
For example: If you are looking for a job in a musculoskeletal private practice in Auckland as an employee, you'll find one quite easily. If you start being specific about where in Auckland you want to be, it might be more difficult.
The nice thing is, there's lots of options.

And can one work as assistant till reg is in process?

If you have got a work permit, then "yes". There is no required formal education for a Physio or Rehab assistant. Also, short term contracts might be available, especially over the holiday period (Dec - Jan). It might be more problematic to get a work permit than a job.
Hope this helps,
Andrea

[nel]

Hi Andrea,

As i told u am planning to come on study visa.Planning to enroll in sports and exercise science in Auckland.So in that case, my study agent told, one is entitled for a work permit equal to duration of ur course.My course is 1 yr long so I expect my permit will be same.

[Fyzzio]

Hi Nel,
a study visa gives you a general permission to study, not to work.
Full-time students under a study permit are allowed to work during the week in order to compliment their study or during the holiday break. See below:

Working while studying
You can work part time while studying full time, under certain circumstances:

- to meet course requirements for practical work experience, or
- during the Christmas and New Year holiday period if you are in a full-time course of study lasting 12 months or longer, and/or
- for up to 20 hours in any given week during the academic year if you are in full-time study:
a) at a private training establishment or tertiary institution and taking at least two academic years to complete, or
b) culminating in a New Zealand qualification that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category, or
c) at a secondary school full year course of study in years 12 or 13, provided you have written permission from your school and written consent from your parent, or
d) in a full-time study course lasting at least six months, at a private training establishment or tertiary institution. Your visa or immigration officer has to be satisfied that the main purpose of your course of study is to develop English language skills, and, you have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score of 5.0 or above (General or Academic Module), or
e) at a tertiary level of at least one academic year duration as part of an approved tertiary student exchange scheme.

If your course is 1 year long, you will be able to get in under the christmas period exception rule, just make sure that it is 12 months, rather than "one year" = academic year: February to December
Please refer to the NZ immigration website.
All about visas and permits

Good luck,
Andrea

[nel]

Hi Fyzzio, I am going to enroll in PGDiploma sports and ex science auckland.my spouse is going to be on work visa.how is the present situation for reg for indians?it must be difficult but not impossible?we aim at making good profile.what r the present pay scales for physios in auckland?and how much u r paid as assisstants while not havin reg?

[Fyzzio]

Hi Nel,

how is the present situation for reg for indians?it must be difficult but not impossible?

No idea, but I understand that the Indian degree, though also being 4 years long, is as such not at all similar to the NZ one and therefore not accepted. My Indian Physio friend registered a while ago. I've heard at a recent Physio meeting that at the moment, all Indian Physios need to do registration exams, but that is hear-say.

what r the present pay scales for physios in auckland?

Difficult to say. Depends on whether your employer pays your previous experience and whether you are working in private or public sector. I believe, the starting salary for new graduates is somewhere around $35.000 pa (anyone here who has got concrete knowledge???), but if you get a position as Physios for the All Blacks ....

how much u r paid as assisstants

I would say around $18.000 pa.

Not 100% sure though. Just to give you an idea.
Hope, this helps a little bit,
good luck,
Fyzzio

[psychophysio]

Current salary scales for working in a DHB hospital as a physio starts on NZ$42848.

Starting as a therapy assistant in a DHB hospital starts on NZ$29391 now