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The New Zealand government is implementing a plan to expedite the registration of overseas doctors to tackle the long-standing doctor shortage. To better assist New Zealand’s medical workforce, the Medical Council of New Zealand (Council) is launching a new fast-track registration for international medical graduates.
Eligible doctors with approved specialist qualifications from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia can now process their applications within 20 working days, allowing them to start work in New Zealand much sooner.
These areas of medicine include anesthesia, dermatology, emergency medicine, general practice, internal medicine, pathology (anatomical) and psychiatry. Applications will be accepted starting on November 1, 2024.
Doctors eligible for this registration will have their applications assessed against a set of core requirements without needing advice from specialist medical colleges. This will help to speed up approvals while allowing colleges to focus on more complex cases that require their expertise.
Applications will be processed within 20 working days. You can apply for the fast-track registration if you:
Hold an acceptable primary medical degree;
Have an approved overseas postgraduate medical qualification;
Intend to practice in New Zealand in an approved area of medicine;
Have a minimum of 24 months’ clinical experience in the past 5 years practising in that area of medicine; and
Have a job offer in New Zealand