Overseas Qualification Assessment

Thinking of Working in New Zealand?

Speech-language therapy is not a registered profession in New Zealand at present, however, most employers in New Zealand require prospective employees to be eligible for membership of NZSTA.

There are two methods of application for membership of NZSTA

Applicants from Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA may be eligible to apply for NZSTA membership under The Agreement for the Mutual Recognition of Professional Association Credentials (MRA) 2008.
All other applicants will need to apply for membership using the Qualifications Approval Process.

Eligibility for Application for NZSTA Membership Under the MRA

Overseas professionals are eligibile to apply for membership with the NZSTA under the MRA;

If they are a certified member of either the;

American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)
Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA)
Speech Pathology Asssociation of Australia Limited (Speech Pathology Australia)
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

Or if they are a full member of the

Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT)

AND

They meet the additional requirements as outlined in the Procedure for NZSTA Membership under the MRA (2008).

What to do Next?

Professionals who meet these requirements are eligible to apply for membership with the NZSTA under the MRA. These individuals should read the Procedure for NZSTA Membership under the MRA (2008) thoroughly and should then download and complete an application form.

Professionals who fail to meet either of the requirements listed above should apply for membership with the NZSTA under the Qualifications Approval Process.

To view the Guide to Evidence of Dysphagia Competency follow the link here.

For more information about the Agreement for the Mutual Recognition of Professional Association Credentials (MRA) 2008, please refer to the section on Frequently Asked Questions.

Responsibilities of Professionals under the Treaty of Waitangi (te Tiriti o Waitangi)

Considered to be the founding document of Aotearoa/New Zealand, The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, is an agreement between Māori hapū (subtribes of Māori people) and the New Zealand Government. Māori are the tribal people indigenous to New Zealand and currently form approximately 16% of the total population.

If you are considering practising within Aotearoa New Zealand, it is strongly recommended that you become familiar with the Treaty. Most employers require applicants to understand the implications of the Treaty, the principles of biculturalism and how it affects clinical practice as a speech-language therapist in New Zealand. Gaining a knowledge of the Treaty will also help you to better understand the social dynamic within Aotearoa New Zealand and provide a framework for ensuring that you implement the principles of participation, partnership and protection of tangata whaiora (clients) and whānau (family) served professionally by speech-language therapists.

To learn more about the Treaty and its place in both New Zealand history and modern day society visit the following websites;

http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/treaty/

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Overseas Qualification Assessment

Thinking of Working in New Zealand?

Eligibility for Application for NZSTA Membership Under the MRA

What to do Next?

Responsibilities of Professionals under the Treaty of Waitangi (te Tiriti o Waitangi)