Moving to teach in Aotearoa New Zealand
Keen to teach in Aotearoa New Zealand? It's a big move, please read the important information on this page before you apply.
Before you apply
In Aotearoa New Zealand teachers hold a trusted position in society. Together as a profession they have high standards of integrity, conduct, competence and effective teaching practice. There are several steps involved with joining the 105,000 strong profession.
Overseas-trained teachers coming to New Zealand to fill a teaching vacancy may be eligible for an Overseas Relocation Grant from the Ministry of Education. This grant can be up to $10,000 (GST inclusive). For more information go to the Education Workforce website.
For information about moving to New Zealand, including immigration and visa information, please see the Education Workforce website.
If you are registered in Australia, you may be eligible for a New Zealand practising certificate under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA).
Please read Our Code, Our Standards | Ngā Tikanga Matatika, Ngā Paerewa - these documents set out the expectations for teacher behaviour and effective teacher practice.
What you need to apply
To practice as a teacher in Aotearoa New Zealand you need to be registered and hold a current practising certificate.
Important! If you've received an employment offer to teach at a New Zealand school, kura or early childhood centre, please let us know. Our priority is to have teachers able to teach when they have a definite job offer.
To gain registration and certification as an overseas-trained teacher, you can apply online through Hapori Matatū. You must:
- Show you're satisfactorily trained to teach
- Demonstrate English language competency
- Obtain overseas Police clearance
- Verify your identity: Proof of Identity form (there are two forms one for if you're currently residing overseas and one if you're living in New Zealand)
- Gather further supporting information for your application:
- Copies of qualifications, transcripts, Teaching IQA report
- Testimonial letters (from previous employers regarding your teaching)
- Assessment of your teaching practice (including observation or annual appraisal)
- Any evidence of induction and mentoring you have completed during your teaching career
- Statements/certificate of professional standing
- A copy of your CV
- Apply for teacher registration and a practising certificate, submitting the above information and more. You can apply for these at the same time.
The Teaching Council’s Policy is that overseas qualifications pre-approved by NZQA or assessed by NZQA as equivalent to the qualifications required of New Zealand Qualified teachers are considered sufficient.
Some programmes of study, do not result in a formal academic qualification for overseas teacher certification, license, registration, or permits and cannot be pre-approved or assessed by NZQA, such as:
- UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Teacher Licensure from American States
To assess whether you are satisfactorily trained to teach, the Teaching Council may consider your completion of such programmes as part of a package, together with other qualifications, teaching experience, appraisal material and professional development to determine whether you can be granted registration and certification as an exception to the policy. Such decisions are discretionary.
In New Zealand teacher registration and certification aren't sector specific. The Teaching Council doesn't specifically register teachers as early childhood teachers, primary teachers, or secondary teachers. It's up to an employer to determine whether a certificated teacher has the qualifications, skills, and experience to employ them in a teaching position at their centre/school, and to determine if the person meets additional requirements for funding/licensing, specifically in the ECE sector.
Read more information about ECE or primary endorsement.