Physiotherapy is an incredibly rewarding career. You can work across a range of people and settings and specialise in the area that you enjoy. Ultimately, this job is about giving small steps to others to enable them to live a full, pain-free life, making it satisfying for you.

Whether it’s an athlete wanting to heal from injury, elderly people wanting fullness of life and physical wellness as they age, or there’s been a trauma, surgery or illness that’s limited someone’s physical abilities, a physiotherapist can help.

In New Zealand, physiotherapists are in demand. NZ has a growing population, with a large population of aging or elderly. As life expectancy increases, the need for physiotherapists to care for these elderly people increases too.

As of 2024, physiotherapists can earn between NZ$64,000 to $119,000 a year. There are a number of specialities that they can specialise in:

  • Cardiorespiratory

  • Hand therapy

  • Musculoskeletal

  • Neurology

  • Occupational health

  • Paediatrics

  • Working with older adults

  • Helping people to manage chronic pain

  • Sports injuries

Physiotherapy (ANZCO 252511) is on the NZ Green List. This means there’s a need for this role that is recognised by the NZ government. These shortages are most notable in more rural areas. Year-on-year, physiotherapy in New Zealand is growing at 1.9%.

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How Studying Physiotherapy in New Zealand Leads to PR

Getting your physiotherapy qualification in NZ makes the pathway to PR much easier. Because you qualified in NZ, there’s no need for assessment by a governing body. Instead, there’s a simple pathway to residency.

Top 3 Universities in New Zealand with Physiotherapy Qualifications

There are three institutions that offer the four-year accredited undergraduate Bachelor of Physiotherapy. This degree is very competitive, and you will be ranked amidst your peers. You need an IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with all bands 6.5 or higher.

  1. University of Otago School of Physiotherapy: First you must complete the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) programme and then you can apply for the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhty). Costs are NZ$41,193 first year, $46,056 second year. $48,481 third and fourth year.

  2. Auckland University of Technology (AUT) $43,392 per year

  3. Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) Fees not listed

There are also post-grad options if you wish to specialise:

  • Master of Physiotherapy Practice at University of Auckland

  • Master of Physiotherapy at Otago University

  • PhD of Physiotherapy at Otago University

  • Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Honours at Otago university

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Physiotherapy at Otago University

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy at Otago University

In order to be accepted into these courses, you must be able to meet the Children’s Act 2014 and Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act). This includes a police clearance. This helps to ensure children and other vulnerable people are safe in your care. You also must have a current first aid certificate before any clinical practice, but this may be arranged as part of the course.

Top Scholarships for International Physiotherapy Students in New Zealand

There are a range of scholarships for international students in studying physiotherapy in New Zealand.

Start Making Steps Towards Your Physiotherapy Career Today

Because it’s an in-demand career, physiotherapy is an ideal choice for student who wishes to seek employment in NZ after completing their degree. By getting your degree in NZ, the process of finding employment, and PR, is much easier than if you’d obtained your qualification elsewhere.

Are you ready to start your physiotherapy dream career? Contact us at IDP. We can help turn that dream into reality, advising on institution, course, and even helping with visa applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a physiotherapist in New Zealand?

You need to get your four-year Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhty). Then, register with the NZ Physiotherapy Board and get your practising certificate.

Where to study physiotherapy in New Zealand?

Here are 3 popular places you get can your undergraduate physiotherapy degree in NZ: • University of Otago School of Physiotherapy

  • Auckland University of Technology

  • Waikato Institute of Technology