New graduate

Individuals who have graduated from an accredited New Zealand occupational therapy programme, and have never been registered with OTBNZ, may apply online as a New Zealand qualified graduate. Before applying, you will need to have all the required documentation available for uploading in digital form. The OTBNZ reserves the right to ask for original or certified copies of your documentation to be supplied.

Identification

You must provide two forms of identity documentation and evidence of any changes to your name. One of these must have a photograph. Acceptable forms of identification are: digital/scanned copy of birth certificate, current passport, New Zealand citizenship certificate, New Zealand certificate of identity, driver's license, deed poll change and/or marriage license.

English language

If English is not your first language, you will be required to nominate a referee to attest to your ability to communicate effectively in English. This person should be your last clinical placement supervisor. Please advise this person to expect an email from the OTBNZ. Applicants whose first language is Te Reo or NZ sign language are exempt from this requirement. 

Criminal history checks

You are required to declare any criminal convictions you may have and consent to a criminal history check in New Zealand. A link to apply for this check will be sent to you following your application. 

If you have lived in any other country for more than 6 months in the last 10 years since you were 17 years old, you will also be required to apply and pay for an International Criminal History Check (ICHC) conducted by Fit2work during your application. Please use the link available in your online application to apply. There is a cost for the check which is payable directly to Fit2work. Information about Criminal convictions checks is available from here. 

If you have any conviction/s then we will ask for more information to enable us to understand how this may impact your application.

Health information

You must declare any physical or mental health condition/s that may impact on your ability to practice as an occupational therapist. We may ask for more information to enable us to understand how this may impact your application.

Previous registration

If you have been registered with any regulatory or disciplinary body either in New Zealand or overseas in the past you will need to upload a certificate of good standing. You will also need to supply information about any disciplinary action that may have been taken while you were registered.

Time since qualification

If it has been more than 3 years since you graduated as an occupational therapist, you will need to demonstrate your competence to practice. This is done through the applicant portal following your initial application. This consists of:

• completion of a short course on line online course. (You will need to create a login to access the course)
• demonstration of your understanding of the competencies in a written desktop competence assessment
• providing a copy of your current curriculum vitae/resume detailing your work and study history (please explain any gaps). 

Practicing certificate

You must be registered and hold a practising certificate before you can work as an occupational therapist in New Zealand. You may apply for a practising certificate at the same time as your application from within your applicant portal.

Application and practising certificate fees

The application fee for registration as a New Zealand graduate is NZD$230 inc GST. Practicing certificates are NZD$500 inc GST for up to 12 months or NZD$190 in GST for up to 3 months. Application fees are non-refundable.

New graduates who apply directly following completion of their course may be eligible for a rebate on their first practising certificate. 

Processing time

You will be advised of the outcome of your application within 6 weeks of receiving all relevant information. Missing or delayed information may lead to a delay in your application being processed.

During this time you will be able to access your applicant portal (myOTBNZ), which will become your practitioner portal once your registration is accepted.

Begin your new graduate application. An information video is available here.

Apply here