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Educators: Register here
Register your interest for permanent, contract or relief teaching opportunities
1. Get your qualifications assessed
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) conducts an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) to confirm that your qualification is relevant and appropriately recognised within New Zealand’s education framework.
Yes, all overseas-trained teachers will need a Teaching IQA to register as a teacher.
You can have up to 3 qualifications assessed. You may be required to verify your qualifications when you apply. This might be through an independent verification organisation or directly from your university.
Australian teachers: If applying under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA), you will not need an IQA to gain NZ Teacher Registration. However, you may need an IQA for salary assessment purposes.
Learn moreInclude all required documents as legible, colour-scanned, digital copies. Follow the online prompts carefully, and ensure your application is complete before submitting. Remember, incomplete applications cause delays.
Learn moreYour qualifications will be assessed as either containing or not containing the core knowledge requirements of a New Zealand initial teacher education qualification. This impacts your registration pathway and potential salary. If your qualifications don’t meet the standard, you may need to apply through the Discretionary Pathway for Overseas Teachers.
Learn moreAn IQA may also be necessary for salary assessment in New Zealand schools. It’s an investment in ensuring you’re fairly compensated for your qualifications and experience.
Learn more
2. Gain NZ teacher registration & practising certificate
All practicing teachers in New Zealand, including relief/supply teachers, must be registered with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and hold a current practising certificate.
Apply through the Hapori Matatū | Online Community platform. You’ll need to provide various documents, including proof of identity, police checks, language competency evidence, and qualifications. Be prepared and gather all required documentation before starting your application.
Learn moreNew Zealand offers three types of practising certificates:
- Tōmua | Provisional: For newly qualified teachers and most overseas educators. Requires completion of an induction and mentoring programme.
- Tūturu | Full (Category One): For experienced teachers who meet all the Standards | Ngā Paerewa and have recent teaching experience.
- Pūmau | Full (Category Two): For experienced teachers whose current role doesn’t allow them to demonstrate all the Standards | Ngā Paerewa.
As an overseas teacher, you’ll likely start with a Tōmua | Provisional certificate and progress to a full certificate after completing the required programme..
Learn moreIf you’re an Australian-trained and registered teacher, you can apply under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA). This streamlined process recognises your existing registration, but you’ll still need to obtain a New Zealand practising certificate.
- Ensure you have correct police checks from every country where you’ve lived for 12+ months over the past 10 years.
- Provide certified, colour copies of all documents.
- Registration is for life, but practising certificates need renewal every three years.
3. Get your right to work in NZ
Longer term or residency options:
- Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary School Teachers can apply. Requires job offer from an accredited employer.
- Straight to Residence Visa: Primay & Secondary School Teachers (Green List Tier 1 only) can apply. Requires Job offer from an accredited employer
- Work to Residence Visa: Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary School Teachers (Green List Tier 1 + Tier 2) can apply. Requires job offer from accredited employer and worked in NZ for 24 months.
Temporary visa options:
- Working Holiday Visa: Best suited for educators looking to travel and take up some relief teaching or fixed-term roles. You cannot take a permanent job with this visa.
Check Immigration New Zealand’s website for details.
Note: ANZUK Education is not a licensed immigration adviser. For specific visa advice, please consult a licensed professional. *For further details on visa types and other requirements please visit Immigration New Zealand.
You’ll need police certificates from countries you’re a citizen of or have lived in for more than 5 years since age 17. Ensure certificates are less than 6 months old when applying for your visa. For the UK, you’ll need different checks for immigration and teacher registration.
Note: ANZUK Education is not a licensed immigration adviser. For specific visa advice, please consult a licensed professional. We can assist with documentation and general process information.
Learn moreSome visa applications require a medical examination and chest x-ray with a panel physician. Note that medicals are only valid for 3 months, so time this carefully with your application.
Note: ANZUK Education is not a licensed immigration adviser. For specific visa advice, please consult a licensed professional. We can assist with documentation and general process information.
While ANZUK Education can’t provide immigration advice, we recommend consulting a licensed immigration adviser to understand your visa eligibility. Our partner, Migration Associates, offers free visa evaluations and informational seminars in the UK.
Learn more
4. Get a salary assessment
To ensure you’re paid correctly in New Zealand state or state-integrated schools, you need to submit a Salary Assessment to Education Payroll (EdPay). This process determines your pay rate based on your qualifications and experience.
Once you have a job offer, you’ll apply for your salary assessment online with certified colour copies of required documents. Start this process as soon as you can, as it can take several months.
Provide statements of service from all previous teaching positions. These must include exact start and end dates, full-time/part-time status, hours worked, and a description of service. All documents must be on official letterhead and hand-signed by your previous employer.
New Zealand uses a step-based salary scale. Your entry point depends on qualifications and experience. School salaries range from approximately $61,329 to $103,086, while ECE teachers earn between $60,000 to $90,000. Relief teaching rates vary by sector.
You may initially be paid at a lower rate until your assessment is complete. Backpay is possible, but it’s best to have all documentation ready before leaving your home country. Gathering statements of service can be time-consuming, so start early.
Get the Guide
Download our condensed guide to Teaching in New Zealand. Designed for educators from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, and Australia – this free resource provides invaluable insights into the New Zealand education system, lifestyle, and the steps to start your teaching career here.
Hear from others who
taught in New Zealand
Over the last few weeks ANZUK has offered me great opportunities to visit centres and gain the experience I desire. The ANZUK team is very professional and understanding, always on the lookout for the best opportunities for me.
I found ANZUK Education through google and booked their very informative seminars which were so helpful. ANZUK Education responded promptly during the covid period. They arranged a teams meeting to assist me and get me prepared for the interview. I gladly endorse this company.
Highly professional team of people, who worked together to help get me started at my new school, under a very short time frame. Thank you!
I had a genuinely positive experience with ANZUK while making the move from London to Auckland. From the outset, their team provided outstanding support in helping me secure a role, combining deep knowledge of the sector with practical, tailored advice that clearly reflected their expertise. What stood out most, was how approachable and friendly everyone was – they made the entire process feel manageable and far less overwhelming.
I cannot recommend ANZUK highly enough; their support was exceptional, staying in regular contact, checking in on my progress and offering guidance every step of the way. They went far beyond job placement — providing helpful information about healthcare, schools, accommodation, and what to expect when settling into a new country, and arranged my interview seamlessly, with a job ready and waiting for me. ANZUK made the entire process smooth, organised, and genuinely reassuring, and I wholeheartedly recommend them — their professionalism, care, and commitment truly make all the difference.
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The 4 Agency Process can take 7-9 months:
- Qualification assessment: Up to 6 months
- Teaching Council registration: 6-12 weeks
- Immigration: About 8 weeks for 80% of applications
- Interviewing and recruitment: Up to a month
Note: Working with ANZUK Education can help fast-track your applications.
The total cost is approx. $6000 NZD (or £3000) per person:
- Qualification assessment: $746
- Teaching Council registration: $564.37
- Immigration: $420-$750 for most visas
- Flights: $2,274
- Initial accommodation: $900
Additional costs may include insurance, relocation services, and storage.
Note: For families, total relocation costs can reach $20,000-$30,000 NZD.
Yes, a relocation grant is available for eligible teachers. To qualify:
- You need registration and certification
- Secure a full-time role lasting 12+ months
- Apply within 90 days of arrival
- Keep all receipts for reimbursement
Note: There are a limited number of grants available.
The process of working with ANZUK Education involves several key steps:
- Initial Contact: Reach out to ANZUK Education to express your interest.
- Meet your Consultant: You’ll be assigned a dedicated consultant who will guide you through the process.
- Compliance: Complete necessary paperwork and checks.
- Interview/Induction: Participate in interviews and orientation sessions.
- Clear for Work: Receive final approval to begin teaching.
- In the Classroom: Start your teaching journey in New Zealand!
Throughout this process, your ANZUK Education consultant will provide support and guidance, helping you navigate the complexities of relocating and starting your teaching career in New Zealand.