Psychiatrists

1. The Australasian Specialist Route (VOC1 & VOC2)

Best for: Doctors who hold a Fellowship from an Australasian College (e.g., FRACP, FRACS, RANZCP, RANZCOG).

VOC1: If you already hold NZ General registration.

VOC2: If you do not yet hold NZ General registration.

Eligibility: You must hold an approved Australasian postgraduate qualification.

Application process: Apply via the myMCNZ portal. Because your qualification is already recognised as "local," there is no "equivalence assessment" needed.

Supervision requirements: None for VOC1. For VOC2, a brief orientation or oversight period may be required if you haven't practised in NZ before, but it is typically minimal compared to other IMGs.

Benefits: You are registered as a specialist within 10–20 working days. You are eligible for the highest pay scales immediately.

Outcome: Full Vocational Registration.

2. The Australian General Registrant Route

Best for: Doctors who hold General Registration with AHPRA in Australia but do not have a specialist Fellowship.

Eligibility: Must hold full (non-provisional) General Registration with the Medical Board of Australia (Ahpra).

Application process: This is a streamlined pathway under the "Australian General Registrant" category. MCNZ typically processes these in 20 working days.

Supervision requirements: Typically 6 months of supervised practice in New Zealand to ensure familiarisation with the local health system and cultural safety (Te Tiriti o Waitangi).

Benefits: Bypasses the need for clinical exams (NZREX) or the more complex "Comparable Health System" paperwork.
Outcome: Full General Registration in New Zealand.

This is the most common route for doctors who hold a primary medical degree from the UK or Ireland and have completed their internship there.

1. The Fast-Track Specialist Route (VOC4 Pathway)

Eligibility: Must hold an approved specialist qualification (CCT/CCST) and have at least 24 months of clinical experience in that specialty within the last 5 years (including 12 months in the last 18).

Application process: Apply online via the myMCNZ portal with a job offer in hand. MCNZ typically processes these in 20 working days.

Supervision requirements: You will work under a Provisional Vocational scope. Supervision usually involves an orientation to the NZ system and 6–12 months of peer oversight.

Benefits: Rapid recognition of your consultant status; eligibility for senior medical officer (SMO) pay scales from day one.

Outcome: Full Vocational Registration as a specialist.

2. The 6-Month General Route (Competent Authority Pathway)

Eligibility: UK/Irish primary degree and completion of a recognised internship (Foundation Year 1 or equivalent).

Application process: Online application via myMCNZ. Requires EPIC verification of your degree and internship.

Supervision requirements: 6 months of full-time equivalent (FTE) supervised practice with two satisfactory reports.

Benefits: The fastest way to gain general registration; lower initial fees and reduced administrative burden compared to specialist pathways.

Outcome: Full General Registration (unlimited scope).

This is the standardised pathway for doctors from 29 recognised countries:

Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands

Americas: Canada, Chile and the United States of America.

Asia: Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

1. The 12-Month General Route

Eligibility: Must have worked in a recognised comparable health system for at least 33 out of the last 48 months prior to applying.

Application process: Secure a job offer from Health New Zealand first. We can then support you with the application process.

Supervision requirements: 12 months of FTE supervised practice. You must submit three satisfactory supervision reports during this period.

Benefits: Provides a structured entry into the NZ health system for those without UK/Irish specific credentials.

Outcome: Full General Registration upon completion.

2. Standard Vocational Assessment (VOC3 Pathway)

Eligibility: For specialists whose qualifications are not on the "Fast-Track" list but are from comparable systems.

Application process: Your training and experience are assessed by the relevant NZ Specialist College. This is a detailed review that can take 3–4 months.

Supervision requirements: Usually 12 to 18 months of practice under a Provisional Vocational scope with regular college-specific reports.

Benefits: Allows for eventual full specialist recognition for those with high-level international training.

Outcome: Full Vocational Registration in your specialty.

If you did not train in a recognised comparable system, your path depends on whether you have a postgraduate specialist qualification that can be assessed for equivalency.

1. The Specialist Assessment Route (VOC3)

Best for: Experienced specialists from any country (e.g., India, Pakistan, Egypt, Philippines, Brazil) who hold a postgraduate qualification.

Eligibility: You must hold a primary medical degree from a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and a postgraduate specialist qualification awarded after a formal training program.

Application process: This is a "paper-based" assessment. Your entire training history, exams, and logbooks are sent to the relevant New Zealand Specialist College (e.g., RACP for physicians) to determine if your training is "equivalent to" or "as satisfactory as" the New Zealand standard.

Supervision Requirements: If approved, you are granted Provisional Vocational registration. You must complete 12 to 18 months of supervised practice and may need to pass a Vocational Practice Assessment (VPA)—a one-day workplace clinical assessment.

Benefits: This allows you to avoid retraining from scratch and recognises your senior status.

Outcome: Full Vocational Registration as a specialist.

2. The NZREX Clinical Examination Route

Best for: Doctors without a recognised specialist qualification or those not eligible for any other pathway.

Eligibility: You must first pass a prerequisite exam (such as PLAB 1, AMC MCQ, USMLE Step 1 & 2, or MCCQE Part I) within the last five years and meet English language requirements (OET/IELTS).

Application process: You must sit and pass the NZREX Clinical, a high-stakes OSCE-style exam held in New Zealand. After passing, you must secure a PGY1 (intern) or PGY2 position.

Supervision requirements: You will work in a Provisional General scope for 12 months, typically at the intern/resident level, regardless of your previous seniority.

Benefits: This provides a "fresh start" and a guaranteed path to General registration for those who do not fit into the streamlined "comparable" categories.

Outcome: Full General Registration after 12 months of successful hospital-based practice.