Cross the ditch for a better rhythm of life.
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is inviting Australian-trained House Officers (PGY2 or higher) to join us. If you’re looking to trade high-pressure rosters for a system that values your time, your clinical autonomy, and your life outside the hospital, New Zealand is ready for you.
Why Australian RMOs are Moving to NZ
- Contracted for Balance: Six weeks of annual leave plus 12 public holidays, with rosters designed to leave you with actual energy at the end of them. Whether you're here for the skiing, the surf, or simply a weekend that feels like a weekend — we've built that in.
- A Seamless Step for your Career: Moving across the Tasman as a PGY2 is a simple lateral move. Because our health systems and pre-vocational requirements are closely aligned, your time in New Zealand counts fully toward your experience and career seniority.
- Financial Certainty: Say goodbye to chasing un-rostered overtime. Our Run Category system means your rostered nights and weekends are already built into a transparent, predictable salary, offering you clear financial certainty from day one.
- Practice with Confidence: Leave the stress of defensive medicine behind. New Zealand’s unique "no-fault" ACC system provides comprehensive cover for patient injuries without the need to prove negligence, allowing you to focus on high-quality patient care in a supportive, non-litigious culture.
- A Familiar, Supportive System: You’ll find clinical standards and a collegiate culture very similar to home, but with a greater focus on clinical autonomy and a less adversarial practice environment.
- Choose Your Setting: Tertiary roles in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch offer the case mix and subspecialty exposure you'd expect. Regional districts — from Hawke's Bay to Southland — offer broader procedural scope, tighter teams, and communities where you'll genuinely be known. We have roles to match every career goal and lifestyle preference.
The "Trans-Tasman" Advantage
Moving to New Zealand is often easier than moving between Australian states:
- Registration Simplicity: Australian-trained doctors follow a highly streamlined registration path with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). If you hold general registration with AHPRA, the pathway is fast-tracked with minimal paperwork.
- Immediate Rights on Arrival: As an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you don't need to apply for a work visa before you fly. You are automatically granted a Resident Visa at the New Zealand border, giving you the immediate right to live, work, and access domestic rates for healthcare and schooling from day one.
A Competitive Global Package
We provide a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your life inside and outside the hospital:
- Inclusive Salaries: House Officer salaries are competitive and structured for simplicity. Your total salary is based on your run category—no more timesheet fatigue.
- Full Support: We provide employer pension contributions (6% if eligible), cover your professional indemnity insurance, and may offer dedicated relocation assistance to help you get across the Tasman.
- Professional Growth: Access protected teaching time, dedicated study/exam leave, and specific funding for your continuing education.
Key Requirements
- Grade: PGY2 or higher.
- Registration: Eligible for MCNZ registration.
How to Apply
Ready to trade the high-pressure roster for a better rhythm of life?
Click Apply Now to visit our website, view our live off-cycle vacancies, and submit your details directly to our recruitment teams.
Work Location: In person
