Info for Overseas Teachers

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the likelihood of finding work in NZ?

There is currently a demand for suitably experienced well-qualified secondary teachers in NZ, especially in some subject areas, such as Maths, Science, Technology, Accounting/Economics, English and IT. Demand is highest in the North Island and particularly in Auckland.

Education Personnel successfully places secondary teachers based overseas into NZ secondary schools throughout the whole of NZ and both in the State and Independent sectors including Middle Management and HOD positions.

There is also a high demand at present for degree qualified suitably trained and registered early childhood teachers.

There is an increasing demand for experienced primary teachers mainly in the Wellington and Auckland regions. Many overseas primary teachers do find positions if they are here on the ground in NZ and increasingly Education Personnel are placing quality experienced teachers into our client schools whilst they are still overseas.

All overseas trained teachers are required to complete a NZQA assessment, NZ teacher registration and primary teachers need 3 years relevant teaching experience to be able to a gain a work permit under the Immediate Skill Shortage List criteria(NZ Immigration)

Can I get a work permit to work in NZ?
For teachers to get a work permit, work visa or working holiday visa you need to apply to Immigration NZ.

Many teaching roles are on the immediate skills shortage list and long term skills shortage lists.Click here to see these lists. You can find more about immigration for teachers on the following Ministry of Education website.

Teachers with a job offer can get the right to work in NZ as long as you meet the criteria set by Immigration New Zealand.

You can start work immediately as a relief teacher(supply teacher) or long term relief teacher with Education Personnel if you have a work permit, work visa or working holiday visa.

Full details about gaining th right to work in NZ are at www.immigration.govt.nz. Under NZ law only a licenced immigration advisor is allowed to provide immigration advice. A list of licenced advisors can be found at www.iaa.govt.nz

I'd love to teach in NZ, what do I need to do?

Register with Education Personnel.
It's free and will ensure you hear about any education vacancies suitable for you.
E-mail your CV to cv@edperson.co.nz
Register with the NZ Teachers Council (NZTC).
You can download the required forms and find out about the Teachers Council on www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz or they can be e mailed on inquiries@teacherscouncil.govt.nz

You can apply for positions without this but any job offer will be subject to your successful registration.

Please note: The Teachers Council will require a copy of your NZQA Assessment (*see below) in order to finish processing your application. You will need to inform them that you have applied for your NZQA and that a copy will be forwarded on to them when the assessment has been completed.

Have your qualifications assessed with the NZQA.
Go to the NZQA website for more information. Find the International section and locate the information for 'immigrants or international students'. Application forms can be found here. This evaluation is required by the Teachers Council and will also be needed for salary assessment purposes in order to ensure you are paid at the correct level when you take up your new teaching position. Please ensure you include a letter with your NZQA application stating that you authorize the NZQA to forward a copy to the Teachers Council on your behalf.
Complete a Salary Assessment
So that you are paid at the correct rate when you start teaching in NZ you have to complete a salary assessment. You will require statements of service from all schools/teaching agencies you have worked for (a reference is fine as long as it states dates worked, start and end date, type and capacity of position (ie full time, permanent or LTR for 2 terms) etc. This needs to be done on original school letterhead signed by your Headteacher/agent.

Set up a bank account in New Zealand.
You may also like to consider opening a bank account before you arrive in New Zealand. This ensures the transfer of your funds is organised and stress free. You can take the opportunity to set up an account before you leave home and transfer funds through the ASB Bank's Migrant Banking Division.
Click here to find out more about opening an account with ASB Bank
Click here for more information on New Zealand's banking systems.
When relocating to New Zealand you will need the services of a reliable International Moving company.
One such specialist is Anglo Pacific who offer a free home survey of household effects for removal from anywhere in the UK to literally anywhere in New Zealand.

Click here for further information

What is the best time to come over to NZ and when are roles advertised?
If your visa status permits you to find employment as a casual supply teacher (relief teacher) NZ's winter term is the busiest time for this type of work. This tends to be in Term 2 and Term 3. Term 2 starts around the end of April and Term 3 mid July.

Long term and permanent positions are advertised throughout the year. Unlike other countries, teachers in NZ are able to leave their positions at any time during the year and generally their notice period is 8 weeks. The majority of staff changes occur at the end of the school year, with teachers starting their new roles at the beginning of the new school year. Positions will be advertised any time from 2 terms before the start date of the role.

What is it like in New Zealand?
Visit these sights and enjoy being part of NZ.

www.vnz.co.nz
www.purenz.com

Further frequently asked questions (FAQ's) on education in NZ and Education Personnel and its services can be found by clicking here.


What a great decision you've made to look at teaching in NZ. Many overseas trained teachers before you have chosen a similar path and can recommend it whole-heartedly.
"From the very beginning Education Personnel were so positive about finding me a job. I felt they really knew what kind of school I would suit and, despite my initial skepticism, I trusted them completely!". Kerry Pinnell who secured a position as an English teacher.
Click here to read about other overseas trained teachers who have found teaching work in NZ through Education Personnel and find out what they say!
and from a client school.... "...Education Personnel were very good, very thorough and very professional. Education Personnel completed all the processing checks that we would normally do ourselves and the quality of the information they gave us about the candidate was excellent. Communication with me throughout the process was very good. One of the advantages of using Education Personnel is that they are a central place for applicants to come if they are out of the country. Secondly they only sent applicants who met the schools needs and this cuts down on a certain degree of the workload for us. Working with Education Personnel simplified everything. It made it very easy for all parties. I believe the teacher found it very easy for the move over to New Zealand. Yes I would definitely consider using Education Personnel again." Matthew Bennett, HOD Technology Auckland Grammar School

WITH EDUCATION PERSONNEL YOU CAN: Know you are working with people who are experienced and well respected in Education. Education Personnel have been assisting teachers to find teaching work in NZ for over 15 years and have successfully placed teachers in Early Childhood Centres and a range of state, state-integrated and independent schools throughout NZ. As a NZ Ministry of Education Preferred Recruitment Company Education Personnel is contracted by TeachNZ and specialises in finding work for teachers, particularly in shortage subject areas (Maths, Science, English and Technology). Let the jobs come to you! Register with Education Personnel and find out about education vacancies suitable for you and your current needs. Access top NZ teaching jobs for free. Unlike some agencies there is no sign up fee and no reduction in your pay packet once you've been placed by Education Personnel. Gain assistance with registration applications. Education Personnel will give you advice on registering with the NZ Teachers Council, having your qualifications assessed with NZQA and understanding your immigration status. Find out about the local education market. You can find out information about the client schools and early childhood centres and their community before you apply for roles. Have your questions answered. Education Personnel's recruitment consultants will answer your questions about living and teaching in NZ. The consultants know teaching, having themselves taught in NZ schools. Gain assistance and information on Relocation Grants. Education Personnel will assist you with applying for a relocation grant once you have taken up your new position. Have on-going support Once you have been placed in your new position your recruitment consultant will visit you at your new school or centre and continue to keep you in touch with other education happenings. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the likelihood of finding work in NZ? There is currently a demand for suitably experienced well-qualified secondary teachers in NZ, especially in some subject areas, such as Maths, Science, Technology, Accounting/Economics, English and IT. Demand is highest in the North Island and particularly in Auckland. Education Personnel successfully places secondary teachers based overseas into NZ secondary schools throughout the whole of NZ and both in the State and Independent sectors including Middle Management and HOD positions. There is also a high demand at present for degree qualified suitably trained and registered early childhood teachers. There is an increasing demand for experienced primary teachers mainly in the Wellington and Auckland regions. Many overseas primary teachers do find positions if they are here on the ground in NZ and increasingly Education Personnel are placing quality experienced teachers into our client schools whilst they are still overseas. All overseas trained teachers are required to complete a NZQA assessment, NZ teacher registration and primary teachers need 3 years relevant teaching experience to be able to a gain a work permit under the Immediate Skill Shortage List criteria(NZ Immigration) Can I get a work permit to work in NZ? For teachers to get a work permit, work visa or working holiday visa you need to apply to Immigration NZ. Many teaching roles are on the immediate skills shortage list and long term skills shortage lists.Click here to see these lists. You can find more about immigration for teachers on the following Ministry of Education website. Teachers with a job offer can get the right to work in NZ as long as you meet the criteria set by Immigration New Zealand. You can start work immediately as a relief teacher(supply teacher) or long term relief teacher with Education Personnel if you have a work permit, work visa or working holiday visa. Full details about gaining th right to work in NZ are at www.immigration.govt.nz. Under NZ law only a licenced immigration advisor is allowed to provide immigration advice. A list of licenced advisors can be found at www.iaa.govt.nz I'd love to teach in NZ, what do I need to do? Register with Education Personnel. It's free and will ensure you hear about any education vacancies suitable for you. E-mail your CV to cv@edperson.co.nz Register with the NZ Teachers Council (NZTC). You can download the required forms and find out about the Teachers Council on www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz or they can be e mailed on inquiries@teacherscouncil.govt.nz You can apply for positions without this but any job offer will be subject to your successful registration. Please note: The Teachers Council will require a copy of your NZQA Assessment (see below) in order to finish processing your application. You will need to inform them that you have applied for your NZQA and that a copy will be forwarded on to them when the assessment has been completed. Have your qualifications assessed with the NZQA.* Go to the NZQA website for more information. Find the International section and locate the information for 'immigrants or international students'. Application forms can be found here. This evaluation is required by the Teachers Council and will also be needed for salary assessment purposes in order to ensure you are paid at the correct level when you take up your new teaching position. Please ensure you include a letter with your NZQA application stating that you authorize the NZQA to forward a copy to the Teachers Council on your behalf. Complete a Salary Assessment So that you are paid at the correct rate when you start teaching in NZ you have to complete a salary assessment. You will require statements of service from all schools/teaching agencies you have worked for (a reference is fine as long as it states dates worked, start and end date, type and capacity of position (ie full time, permanent or LTR for 2 terms) etc. This needs to be done on original school letterhead signed by your Headteacher/agent. Set up a bank account in New Zealand. You may also like to consider opening a bank account before you arrive in New Zealand. This ensures the transfer of your funds is organised and stress free. You can take the opportunity to set up an account before you leave home and transfer funds through the ASB Bank's Migrant Banking Division. Click here to find out more about opening an account with ASB Bank Click here for more information on New Zealand's banking systems. When relocating to New Zealand you will need the services of a reliable International Moving company. One such specialist is Anglo Pacific who offer a free home survey of household effects for removal from anywhere in the UK to literally anywhere in New Zealand. Click here for further information What is the best time to come over to NZ and when are roles advertised? If your visa status permits you to find employment as a casual supply teacher (relief teacher) NZ's winter term is the busiest time for this type of work. This tends to be in Term 2 and Term 3. Term 2 starts around the end of April and Term 3 mid July. Long term and permanent positions are advertised throughout the year. Unlike other countries, teachers in NZ are able to leave their positions at any time during the year and generally their notice period is 8 weeks. The majority of staff changes occur at the end of the school year, with teachers starting their new roles at the beginning of the new school year. Positions will be advertised any time from 2 terms before the start date of the role. What is it like in New Zealand? Visit these sights and enjoy being part of NZ. www.vnz.co.nz www.purenz.com Further frequently asked questions (FAQ's) on education in NZ and Education Personnel and its services can be found by clicking here.