Why New Zealand is worth targeting now?
New Zealand has an official Care Workforce Work to Residence pathway for roles such as Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant, Therapy Aide, Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant and Diversional Therapist. The current care workforce residence wage rate is NZD $28.25 per hour, and applicants must usually work in New Zealand for 24 months in an approved care workforce role before applying for residence. New Zealand has an official Care Workforce Work to Residence pathway for roles such as Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant, Therapy Aide, Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant and Diversional Therapist. The current care workforce residence wage rate is NZD $28.25 per hour, and applicants must usually work in New Zealand for 24 months in an approved care workforce role before applying for residence.
For childcare, the strongest route is not ordinary babysitting; it is qualified Early Childhood Education teaching. Overseas early childhood teachers may be eligible for New Zealand’s Work to Residence route if they have a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer and meet registration, salary and qualification requirements.
Best verified New Zealand recruiters and employers to contact
1. Working In NZ Health
Best for: Healthcare Assistants, Aged Care Workers, Caregivers and Nursing Support Workers.
Working In NZ Health is one of the strongest starting points for foreign applicants because it focuses on recruiting healthcare professionals from overseas into New Zealand employers. It specifically mentions placing overseas health professionals, including healthcare assistants, into New Zealand roles.
Application portal:
Apply through Working In NZ Health – International Aged Care Recruitment
2. Geneva Healthcare / New Zealand Health Group
Best for: Support Workers, Healthcare Assistants, Home Support Workers and Community Support Workers.
Geneva Healthcare is a recognised New Zealand healthcare provider recruiting support workers, registered nurses, enrolled nurses and service/coordination staff. Their registration page allows candidates to submit details for healthcare work.
Application portal:
Register for Work with Geneva Healthcare
3. Medcall NZ
Best for: Caregivers, Support Workers, Healthcare Assistants and Nurses.
Medcall is a New Zealand healthcare recruitment platform connecting aged-care facilities and community providers with nursing and healthcare staff. Their jobs page is suitable for applicants looking for caregiver, support worker and healthcare assistant roles.
Application portal:
Apply for Medcall Healthcare Jobs
Candidate registration:
Register with Medcall
4. Life Plus
Best for: Caregivers, Support Workers, Homecare Workers and Healthcare Assistants.
Life Plus is a New Zealand healthcare provider and recruitment company. It states that it welcomes applications from talented individuals worldwide and identifies itself as a New Zealand Immigration Accredited Employer.
Application portal:
Apply through Life Plus Careers / Overseas Applications
5. Aged Care Recruitment Co.
Best for: Healthcare Assistants, Caregivers, Enrolled Nurses, Registered Nurses and Home Support Workers.
Aged Care Recruitment Co. is a specialist New Zealand aged-care recruitment agency. It has direct routes for candidates, including “Submit Your CV,” “Current Roles” and “International Applicants.”
Application portal:
Submit CV to Aged Care Recruitment Co.
6. Bupa New Zealand
Best for: Caregivers, Registered Nurses, Kitchen Assistants and Household Assistants.
Bupa New Zealand is a major aged-care employer with caregiver roles across New Zealand. Its careers site currently lists caregiver opportunities in locations such as Whangarei, Auckland, Christchurch and Levin.
Application portal:
Apply for Bupa New Zealand Caregiver Jobs
General careers portal:
Search All Bupa New Zealand Jobs
7. Heritage Lifecare
Best for: Caregivers, Healthcare Assistants, Cleaners, Kitchen Assistants and Nurses.
Heritage Lifecare publishes current vacancies through its official recruitment portal and regularly lists care-home roles across New Zealand. Recent examples include caregiver and cleaner vacancies in Canterbury and the West Coast.
Application portal:
Apply for Heritage Lifecare Vacancies
8. Oceania Healthcare — good for caregiving roles
Best for: Healthcare Assistants, Activities Assistants, Diversional Therapists, Caregivers.
Why apply: Oceania’s caregiving department lists roles such as Healthcare Assistant, Activities Assistant and Diversional Therapist.
Apply: Use Oceania Careers.
Email: Use their careers profile/job application system.
Roles to search: Healthcare Assistant, Caregiver, Diversional Therapist, Activities Assistant.
9. Ryman Healthcare — large retirement village and aged care employer
Best for: Caregivers, Healthcare Assistants, Kitchen Assistants, Laundry Assistants, Nurses.
Why apply: Ryman publishes caregiver vacancies and provides direct recruitment contact details.
Apply: Use Ryman Healthcare Careers.
Email: recruitment@rymanhealthcare.com
Phone: 0800 588 222 or +64 3 366 4069
Roles to search: Caregiver, Caregiver Expression of Interest, Kitchen Assistant, Laundry Assistant.
10. Summerset — aged care and retirement village employer
Best for: Caregivers, Kitchen Assistants, Housekeepers, Registered Nurses.
Why apply: Summerset publishes job results and gives a careers email for recruitment enquiries.
Apply: Use Summerset Careers.
Email: careers@summerset.co.nz
Roles to search: Caregiver, Kaitiaki, Housekeeper, Kitchen Assistant, Registered Nurse.
Documents required before applying
Prepare these documents in PDF:
- New Zealand-style CV — keep it clear, role-focused and achievement-based. Careers New Zealand provides guidance on NZ-style CVs.
- Cover letter for caregiver, healthcare assistant, nursing support worker or ECE teacher role.
- Passport biodata page.
- Caregiving / nursing assistant / health qualification certificates.
- Evidence of experience: employment letters, reference letters, payslips, job descriptions.
- Police clearance certificate.
Before accepting any offer, verify the employer on Immigration New Zealand’s Accredited Employer List, confirm the wage is at least NZD $28.25/hour for care workforce roles, and never pay an agent who promises a guaranteed job or visa.