Frequently Asked Questions
Ngā Pātai e kitea noatia
What does it mean to be a teacher in Aotearoa New Zealand?
(A Ministry of Education video)
How much does a teacher in NZ earn?
All teachers workiing in State and Integrated schools in New Zealand, are paid by the Ministry of Education. They set the payscale based on your qualifications and experience and overseas teaching prior to coming to NZ is usually recognised for salary purposes (although this needs to be documented and certified via Ministry of Education prescribed, Statements of Service).
What do I need to do, to be able to teach in NZ?
It is best to advise from the outset that a commitment in time and effort as well as some costs are involved in getting registered to teach in NZ so you need to get onto this quickly. Some initial basic information is as follows:
1. Getting Registered: please note that, while there is no cost to you for working with Oasis, there are fixed costs involved in getting registered to teach in NZ. Concerning qualification assessment and professional registration all people who teach in New Zealand need to have a New Zealand practising certificate and the most important first step is to visit the NZQA website to determine whether your qualifications are pre-approved or not and whether you need to have your qualifications assessed (IQA) relative to the NZ teaching standard and then to get the application for NZ teachers registration lodged. NZQA
Standard application costs (approx) $750 NZ unless you have a ‘pre-approved’ qualification. (check the pre-approved list first).
For Teacher Registration: (approx) cost $300 NZD. Teaching Council of Aotearoa NZ – Registration.
2. Getting a work visa: for those teachers 30 years and under (from eligible countries) the option of a *working holiday visa* allows you to work for 12 months, so if you arrive in NZ with a work visa and provisional NZ teacher registration we would be happy to meet you to discuss employment options. If you are over 30, application for residency via the *Skilled Migrant Category* (a permanent post is an essential condition) is achievable especially if you have the subjects and experience NZ schools are looking for. NZ Immigration – Visas.
*Essential Skills Work visas* Are an excellent option if you are not ready (or not eligible) to apply for a residency visa. If a school wants to appoint an overseas trained teacher they will need to be able to prove that there are no NZ based teachers available (i.e. with registration and work eligibility) that can perform that role. A significant current teacher shortage means that meeting the criteria to secure the Essential Skills work visa via a formal job offer is relatively straight froward.
*3 Statements of Service. To apply to have your previous teaching experience recognised for salary setting by the NZ Ministry of Education payroll arm (Novopay) you should obtain formal statements of service from your previous or current employers: the format for an SOS can be found on the Novo7t form or feel free to ask for assistance from the Oasis team.
*4. The next step: if you can register with us and forward a CV, photo (if possible) and generic cover letter, that will be fantastic. The information we need in your cover letter should detail your personal situation; ie single, married, dependents etc, the type of job you would like, potential arrival dates and any further miscellaneous information that may be useful to Oasis or to a client school that wishes to consider your application.
What does teaching look like in Aotearoa New Zealand?
(A Ministry of Education video)
Cost of living & other helpful information
- The Trade Me website is our ‘go to’ for Car purchasing, Flatmates, house rentals etc.
- For insight into our food prices, our three main supermarkets are: Countdown, New World & Pak n’ Save.
- You will need to set up a NZ bank account. Some banks will allow you to do this prior to arrival. The main banks in New Zealand are: Kiwibank (NZ Owned), ANZ, BNZ, ASB, TSB, The Cooperative Bank & Westpac Bank. (In no particular order)
- In order to work in NZ you will need to apply for a NZ Tax number via the Inland Revenue Department – IRD
- Relocating your household items and pets internationally is always a logistical nightmare! Crown removals and TransFur Pet Relocations are two of the many options available to you.
- Kiwisaver is the NZ government state pension scheme which is currently non-compulsory. Only residents or NZ citizens are eligible to join this programme.
Do I need a visa?
If you are not the holder of New Zealand or Australian passports or residency, then yes, you will need a work visa. We can talk to you about the most suitable visa you may be eligible for.
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas
REGISTER WITH US NOW!
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Come teach in New Zealand and experience the beautiful landscape and rich culture on offer.
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How much does a teacher in NZ earn?
All teachers teaching in State schools in New Zealand, are paid by the Ministry of Education. They set the payscale based on your qualifications and experience.
What do I need to do, to be able to teach in NZ?
For some, there is a considerable commitment and cost involved in getting registered to teach in NZ so you would need to get onto this quickly. Some initial information is as follows:
1. Getting Registered: please note that, while there is no cost to you for working with Oasis, there are fixed costs involved in getting registered to teach in NZ. Concerning qualification assessment and professional registration all people who teach in New Zealand need to have a New Zealand practising certificate and the most important first step is to commence application to the NZQA to have your qualifications assessed relative to the NZ teaching standard and then to get the application for NZ teachers registration lodged.
- For the NZ Qualification Authority: _www.nzqa.govt.nz_
Standard application (approx) $750 NZ unless you have a ‘pre-approved’ qualification.
Refer to this link to check: http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/international-qualifications/international-qualifications-assessment/teaching-iqa-exemptions/#heading2-1
-For Teacher Registration: www.educationcouncil.org.nz_ approx cost $300 NZD
2. Getting a work visa: for those teachers 30 years and under (from countries which are participants) the option of a *working holiday visa* allows you to work for 12 months so if you arrive in NZ with a work visa and provisional NZ teacher registration we would be happy to meet you to discuss employment options. If you are over 30, application for residency via the *Skilled Migrant Category* (a permanent post is an essential condition) is very achievable especially if you have the subjects and experience NZ schools are looking for. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workperm.htm
*Work visas* for shorter term contracts are much harder to obtain as teaching has been withdrawn from the Immigration NZ priority skills shortage list. If a school wants to appoint an overseas trained teacher they will usually need to be able to prove that there are no local teachers (i.e. with registration and work eligibility) that can perform that role. Unfortunately this is making securing a contract post without a work visa very difficult indeed.
*3. The next step: If you can forward a CV Photos and brief cover letters that will be much appreciated. The information we need covers your personal situation ie single, married, dependents etc, the type of job you would like, potential arrival dates etc.
Do I need a visa?
If you are not the holder of a New Zealand or Australian passport, then yes, you will need a work visa. We can talk to you about the most suitable visa you may be eligible for.
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas
Cost of living info & things you will need etc...
- The Trade Me website is our 'go to' for Car purchasing, Flatmates, house rentals etc.
- For insight into our food prices, our three main supermarkets are:
Countdown / New World / Pak n' Save
- You will need a NZ bank account. The main banks are:
Kiwibank (NZ Owned), ANZ, BNZ, ASB, TSB, The Cooperative Bank, Westpac Bank.
- In order to work in NZ you will need a NZ Tax number via the Inland Revenue Department.
IRD number
- Relocating your household items and pets internatiionally is always a logistical nightmare! To assist, we have excellent references from the following companies ready to guide you through it:
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Principal’s story
“Oasis takes the anxiety out of finding relievers for day to day school needs with regards to the quality and reliability of their teacher recruitment options.
We have been with them for a long time and are extremely happy with the service they provide. Helpful, quick and always to our satisfaction.”
Darren Smith - St Leonards Rd School (Principal 1995 to 2018)
Toggle Title
How much does a teacher in NZ earn?
All teachers teaching in State schools in New Zealand, are paid by the Ministry of Education. They set the payscale based on your qualifications and experience.
What do I need to do, to be able to teach in NZ?
For some, there is a considerable commitment and cost involved in getting registered to teach in NZ so you would need to get onto this quickly. Some initial information is as follows:
1. Getting Registered: please note that, while there is no cost to you for working with Oasis, there are fixed costs involved in getting registered to teach in NZ. Concerning qualification assessment and professional registration all people who teach in New Zealand need to have a New Zealand practising certificate and the most important first step is to commence application to the NZQA to have your qualifications assessed relative to the NZ teaching standard and then to get the application for NZ teachers registration lodged.
- For the NZ Qualification Authority: _www.nzqa.govt.nz_
Standard application (approx) $750 NZ unless you have a ‘pre-approved’ qualification.
Refer to this link to check: http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/international-qualifications/international-qualifications-assessment/teaching-iqa-exemptions/#heading2-1
-For Teacher Registration: www.educationcouncil.org.nz_ approx cost $300 NZD
2. Getting a work visa: for those teachers 30 years and under (from countries which are participants) the option of a *working holiday visa* allows you to work for 12 months so if you arrive in NZ with a work visa and provisional NZ teacher registration we would be happy to meet you to discuss employment options. If you are over 30, application for residency via the *Skilled Migrant Category* (a permanent post is an essential condition) is very achievable especially if you have the subjects and experience NZ schools are looking for. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workperm.htm
*Work visas* for shorter term contracts are much harder to obtain as teaching has been withdrawn from the Immigration NZ priority skills shortage list. If a school wants to appoint an overseas trained teacher they will usually need to be able to prove that there are no local teachers (i.e. with registration and work eligibility) that can perform that role. Unfortunately this is making securing a contract post without a work visa very difficult indeed.
*3. The next step: If you can forward a CV Photos and brief cover letters that will be much appreciated. The information we need covers your personal situation ie single, married, dependents etc, the type of job you would like, potential arrival dates etc.
Do I need a visa?
If you are not the holder of a New Zealand or Australian passport, then yes, you will need a work visa. We can talk to you about the most suitable visa you may be eligible for.
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas
Toggle Title
Cost of living info & things you will need etc...
- The Trade Me website is our 'go to' for Car purchasing, Flatmates, house rentals etc.
- For insight into our food prices, our three main supermarkets are:
Countdown / New World / Pak n' Save
- You will need a NZ bank account. The main banks are:
Kiwibank (NZ Owned), ANZ, BNZ, ASB, TSB, The Cooperative Bank, Westpac Bank.
- In order to work in NZ you will need a NZ Tax number via the Inland Revenue Department.
IRD number
- Relocating your household items and pets internatiionally is always a logistical nightmare! To assist, we have excellent references from the following companies ready to guide you through it:
Oasis Education Vision
Oasis is a NZ Education Recruitment Agency and we take pride in, and are fully committed to providing the best possible service, support and follow up to schools and teachers. In all our dealings with the education community in New Zealand and internationally we are motivated by a clear vision: to contribute to the future of education.
How we can help you
We take pride in, and are fully committed to providing the best possible service, support and follow up to schools and teachers. In all our dealings with the education community in New Zealand and internationally we are Oasis Education offers a range of job solutions for teachers already based in New Zealand. Our free services to locally registered teachers include:
- Relief and part-time placements.
- Long-term and permanent placements.
- Information and help on finding opportunities overseas.
- Advice and assistance for new teachers to help you get established. Motivated by a clear vision: 'to contribute to the future of education'.
Courtney Lonergan
Relief / Primary Consultant
Courtney is a Senior Primary Consultant and a key lead member of our relief team. Courtney comes straight from university where she studied a Bachelor of Sport / Sport Coaching. She has worked in ECE and and has a variety of skills and knowledge well suited to matching the right teacher to the right school.
Shona Cox
Finance Director
Our difference
We, at Oasis Education take pride in, and are fully committed to providing the best possible service, support and follow up to schools and teachers. In all our dealings with the education community in New Zealand and internationally we are motivated by a clear vision: to contribute to the future of education.
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