Position: Aged Care Worker / Disability Support Worker / Personal Care Assistant / Nursing Support Worker / Healthcare Assistant
Employer: To Be Announced (TBA)
Country: New Zealand
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience: Entry-Level & Experienced Candidates Considered
Salary: From NZD $23.95 Gross Per Hour – Higher Pay May Be Required Depending on Position & Immigration Pathway
Working Hours: Full-Time – At Least 30 Hours Per Week for Applicable AEWV Employment
Accommodation: Provided
Meals: Provided During Working Days
Healthcare: According to Applicable New Zealand Arrangements
Overtime / Additional Shifts: Available Where Required
Work Visa Assistance: Provided for Eligible Candidates
Accredited Employer Work Visa Assistance: Provided for Eligible Candidates

WORK IN HEALTHCARE & CARE SUPPORT IN NEW ZEALAND

Applications are now open for full-time Care and Healthcare Support Worker positions in New Zealand.

These positions are designed for candidates interested in supporting elderly people, people with disabilities, patients and individuals who require assistance with everyday activities.

Opportunities may be available in:

Aged-care facilities
Residential-care facilities
Disability-support services
Community-care organisations
Healthcare facilities
Supported-living facilities
Rehabilitation environments
Other approved care settings

Potential positions may include:

Aged or Disabled Carer
Personal Care Assistant
Nursing Support Worker
Healthcare Assistant
Disability Support Worker
Residential Care Worker
Therapy Aide
Care Assistant
Support Worker

These are support and care positions.

They should not be confused with Registered Nurse positions or other regulated healthcare professions requiring professional registration.

AVAILABLE LOCATIONS

Care and healthcare-support opportunities may be available throughout New Zealand, including:

Auckland
Hamilton
Tauranga
Wellington
Palmerston North
Napier / Hastings
Nelson
Christchurch
Dunedin
Invercargill

Additional positions may be available in smaller towns and regional communities.

The final workplace will depend on the employer and available vacancy.

Candidates should be prepared to relocate to the area where employment is offered.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

Care and Healthcare Support Workers help people who require assistance with everyday living, mobility, personal care and general wellbeing.

The exact duties will depend on the workplace and needs of the people receiving care.

Typical responsibilities may include:

Supporting elderly residents
Assisting people with disabilities
Helping with everyday activities
Supporting personal hygiene
Assisting with dressing
Supporting mobility
Helping people move safely
Assisting at mealtimes
Providing companionship
Supporting recreational activities
Making beds
Maintaining comfortable living areas
Reporting concerns to senior staff
Supporting nurses and other healthcare professionals
Recording appropriate care information
Following individual care plans

Employees must treat every person with dignity, patience and respect.

AGED CARE

Aged Care Workers provide support to elderly people who may require assistance with everyday activities.

Residents may need different levels of support.

Some people may be largely independent but require occasional assistance.

Others may require more regular support.

Typical responsibilities may include:

Helping residents get ready for the day
Supporting personal hygiene
Assisting with dressing
Helping residents move around safely
Supporting mealtimes
Providing companionship
Assisting with activities
Helping residents prepare for bed
Observing changes in wellbeing
Reporting concerns to senior staff

Workers should encourage residents to remain as independent as possible.

PERSONAL CARE

Some clients may require assistance with personal care.

This can include:

Washing
Showering
Dressing
Grooming
Toileting
Oral hygiene
Changing appropriate clothing
Preparing for bed

Personal care must always be delivered respectfully.

Workers must protect the individual’s:

Privacy
Dignity
Independence
Personal preferences
Cultural requirements

Care Workers should never make residents feel uncomfortable or embarrassed.

MOBILITY SUPPORT

Some elderly or disabled people may have difficulty moving independently.

Workers may assist people with:

Walking
Standing
Sitting
Moving between rooms
Getting into or out of bed
Using mobility aids
Wheelchair movement
Positioning

Employees will receive appropriate instruction for safe moving and handling.

Where specialist lifting or transfer equipment is required, only workers who have received appropriate training should use it.

MEALTIME SUPPORT

Care Workers may assist residents during meals.

Responsibilities can include:

Preparing residents for meals
Helping people reach dining areas
Serving appropriate meals
Providing drinking water
Assisting people who need help eating
Encouraging appropriate food and fluid intake
Cleaning dining areas after meals
Reporting concerns about eating or drinking

Workers must follow any dietary instructions contained in the individual’s care plan.

COMPANIONSHIP

Healthcare support is not only about physical assistance.

Providing companionship can be an important part of the role.

Workers may:

Talk with residents
Listen to them
Encourage social interaction
Participate in activities
Read with residents
Accompany appropriate walks
Support hobbies
Encourage participation in community activities

Good Care Workers help people feel respected, included and valued.

DISABILITY SUPPORT

Some positions may involve supporting adults with physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Responsibilities may include:

Supporting independent living
Assisting with everyday activities
Supporting communication
Helping with meals
Supporting personal care
Accompanying community activities
Supporting appointments
Encouraging independence
Following individual support plans

The objective is to help individuals participate in everyday life as independently as possible.

NURSING SUPPORT WORK

Nursing Support Workers may work alongside nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Depending on the workplace and training, responsibilities may include:

Supporting patient comfort
Assisting with personal care
Making beds
Helping patients move
Supporting mealtimes
Preparing appropriate equipment
Observing patients
Reporting changes to nursing staff
Supporting general ward or care activities
Maintaining appropriate care records

Nursing Support Workers do not replace Registered Nurses.

MEDICATION & CLINICAL TASKS

Entry-level Care Workers must not independently perform regulated nursing or clinical duties for which they are not trained or authorised.

Medication assistance and clinical procedures must only be performed where:

The employee is appropriately trained
The employer authorises the employee
The task is permitted within the role
Appropriate supervision is provided where required

Registered nursing duties must be performed by appropriately registered professionals.

RESIDENTIAL CARE

Residential Care Workers may support people living within long-term care facilities.

A normal shift may include:

Receiving a handover
Checking assigned residents
Supporting morning routines
Helping residents dress
Assisting with breakfast
Supporting activities
Helping with lunch
Providing mobility assistance
Completing appropriate records
Supporting evening routines
Reporting concerns
Providing a handover to the next shift

Exact responsibilities will depend on the facility.

ACTIVITIES & SOCIAL SUPPORT

Some workers may help organise activities designed to improve residents’ wellbeing.

Activities could include:

Games
Arts and crafts
Music
Reading
Light exercise
Group activities
Social events
Outdoor activities
Community outings

Workers should encourage participation without forcing individuals to take part.

COMMUNICATION

Good communication is essential in care work.

Workers communicate with:

Residents
Patients
Family members
Nurses
Supervisors
Care managers
Therapists
Other support workers

Employees must communicate concerns clearly and accurately.

CARE RECORDS

Workers may be required to maintain basic care documentation.

This may involve recording:

Activities completed
Meals
Fluid intake
Mobility
Personal-care assistance
Changes in behaviour
Concerns
Incidents

Records must be accurate and confidential.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Healthcare and care-support work can be physically and emotionally demanding.

Candidates should be comfortable with:

Standing
Walking
Bending
Assisting people with mobility
Personal-care duties
Working closely with elderly people
Supporting people with disabilities
Working as part of a care team
Following instructions
Working different shifts

Patience and compassion are important.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Successful Care Workers should normally be:

Patient
Respectful
Reliable
Responsible
Caring
Calm
Observant
Comfortable helping other people
Able to follow instructions
Able to work within a team

Care work involves responsibility for vulnerable people, so reliability and professional behaviour are essential.

EXPERIENCE

Entry-level candidates may be considered for appropriate positions.

Previous experience in areas such as:

Elderly care
Disability support
Hospital support
Home care
Residential care
Community support
Personal care

will be useful.

However, candidates requiring a New Zealand work visa must also satisfy Immigration New Zealand’s applicable skills and experience requirements.

Therefore, “entry-level” does not mean that immigration requirements can be ignored.

TRAINING

Successful employees may receive workplace training covering areas such as:

Care procedures
Health and safety
Infection prevention
Moving and handling
Resident dignity
Communication
Emergency procedures
Workplace documentation
Safeguarding
Employer policies

Additional training may be required depending on the position.

BACKGROUND & CHARACTER CHECKS

Care Workers work with vulnerable people.

Employers may therefore require appropriate:

Identity checks
Employment references
Criminal-record checks
Police certificates
Qualification checks
Work-history verification
Other suitability checks

Candidates must provide genuine information.

SHIFT WORK

Healthcare and residential-care facilities frequently operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Available shifts may therefore include:

Morning Shift

Early-start shifts involving morning personal care, breakfast and daily activities.

Day Shift

General daytime care and support.

Evening Shift

Dinner, evening activities and preparation for bed.

Night Shift

Monitoring residents, responding to needs and supporting overnight care.

Candidates should indicate whether they are willing to work different shifts.

WORKING HOURS

These are full-time positions.

For applicable employment under the Accredited Employer Work Visa, the employment offer must provide at least:

30 Hours Per Week

Many care positions may provide approximately:

40 Hours Per Week

depending on the employer and roster.

Working arrangements may include:

8-hour shifts
Longer rostered shifts
Weekends
Evenings
Nights
Public holidays

The exact guaranteed hours and roster arrangements will be stated in the employment agreement.

SALARY

New Zealand’s adult minimum wage from 1 April 2026 is:

NZD $23.95 Gross Per Hour

This equals approximately:

NZD $958 Gross Per Week

for a 40-hour working week before tax and applicable deductions.

However, this is the general legal minimum wage, not a guarantee that every migrant healthcare position can be sponsored at this rate.

The actual wage offered will depend on:

Occupation
Employer
Experience
Qualifications
Responsibilities
Shift
Immigration requirements
Applicable care-sector requirements

Some immigration or residence pathways require a higher wage than the general minimum wage.

The final wage will be stated in the employment agreement.

OVERTIME & ADDITIONAL SHIFTS

Care facilities may occasionally require employees to work additional shifts.

Additional work may become available because of:

Staff absence
Increased resident requirements
Operational demand
Weekend requirements
Public holidays

Additional shifts can potentially increase employee earnings.

Overtime and additional shifts are not guaranteed.

Payment arrangements will be governed by the employment agreement and New Zealand employment law.

ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED

Accommodation will be arranged for successful employees under the recruitment package.

Depending on employer and location, accommodation may include:

Shared apartments
Shared houses
Staff accommodation
Worker residences
Employer-arranged accommodation

Accommodation may be located close to the workplace.

Employees may share facilities such as:

Kitchen
Bathroom
Laundry
Living areas

Any applicable accommodation costs, utilities or lawful deductions will be clearly disclosed before the candidate accepts employment.

MEALS PROVIDED

Meals will be provided during scheduled working days according to employer arrangements.

The exact meal arrangements will be explained before employment begins.

NEW ZEALAND EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

Migrant workers legally employed in New Zealand have minimum employment rights.

Successful candidates should receive a written employment agreement clearly identifying important conditions such as:

Employer
Position
Workplace
Hourly wage
Guaranteed hours
Duties
Leave
Employment conditions

Candidates should carefully review the agreement before accepting employment.

ACCREDITED EMPLOYER WORK VISA

International candidates may potentially work in New Zealand through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) where all applicable requirements are satisfied.

For an AEWV, the candidate must have a genuine full-time offer from an accredited New Zealand employer.

The job offer must generally:

Be from an accredited employer
Provide at least 30 hours of work each week
Be supported by an approved job check
Meet applicable employment requirements
Meet the occupation requirements
Meet applicable market and wage requirements

The candidate must also satisfy Immigration New Zealand’s requirements.

MINIMUM AEWV SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should understand that New Zealand does not simply issue an AEWV because someone is willing to perform an entry-level job.

Applicants generally need to demonstrate appropriate skills.

Depending on applicable rules and exemptions, this may involve evidence of:

Relevant work experience, or
An appropriate qualification

The applicant must also satisfy the requirements stated by the employer for the approved position.

Candidates should provide genuine documentary evidence of previous employment wherever applicable.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

English-language requirements can apply to care-support positions under the AEWV.

Applicants for jobs assessed at the applicable lower skill levels may need to demonstrate that they can speak and understand English.

English is also important because Care Workers need to:

Understand residents
Follow instructions
Communicate with nurses
Understand care plans
Report emergencies
Complete basic documentation

Candidates may therefore be required to provide acceptable evidence of English-language ability.

CARE WORKFORCE OCCUPATIONS

New Zealand immigration rules specifically recognise a number of care-workforce occupations.

These include roles such as:

Aged or Disabled Carer
Nursing Support Worker
Personal Care Assistant
Disabilities Services Officer
Residential Care Officer
Therapy Aide
Māori Health Assistant – Kaiawhina (Hauora)
Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant
Diversional Therapist

The exact occupation must genuinely match the employee’s actual duties.

Job titles should never be changed simply to obtain a particular immigration outcome.

CARE WORKFORCE WORK TO RESIDENCE

One important advantage of qualifying care-sector employment is that some Care Workers may eventually become eligible for New Zealand’s Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa.

This is not immediate residence.

Eligible workers generally need to complete:

At Least 24 Months of Qualifying Care Workforce Employment in New Zealand

within the applicable 30-month period before applying.

The employment must be in an eligible care-workforce occupation and meet the applicable care-workforce wage requirements.

Additional residence requirements must also be satisfied.

This pathway may apply to occupations including:

Aged or Disabled Carer
Nursing Support Worker
Personal Care Assistant
Disabilities Services Officer
Residential Care Officer
Therapy Aide
Other qualifying care-workforce occupations

Candidates should not assume that simply receiving a care job automatically guarantees New Zealand residence.

HIGHER SKILL RECOGNITION

Certain care occupations that are normally classified at ANZSCO skill level 4 can potentially be recognised at a higher skill level for immigration purposes when the job meets the required experience or qualification conditions.

These include:

Aged or Disabled Carer
Nursing Support Worker
Personal Care Assistant

This can be relevant where the employer genuinely requires the level of experience or qualification specified by Immigration New Zealand.

Candidates should provide complete details of any previous healthcare or care experience.

WORK VISA ASSISTANCE

Candidates selected by an accredited employer and eligible for the applicable visa will receive assistance with the New Zealand work visa process.

Assistance may include guidance concerning:

Job offer
Employment agreement
Employer information
Job check
Work experience evidence
Qualification documents
English-language evidence where required
Police certificates
Medical requirements
Visa documentation
Supporting documents
Application preparation
Pre-departure requirements

Candidates remain responsible for providing genuine documents and satisfying Immigration New Zealand’s requirements.

IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION INFORMATION

A Care Worker job offer does not automatically guarantee a New Zealand work visa.

Eligibility depends on factors including:

Employer accreditation
Approved job check
Genuine vacancy
Correct occupation classification
Skill level
Candidate’s work experience
Qualifications where required
English-language ability
Wage
Guaranteed hours
Health
Character
Immigration history
Other visa requirements

The final decision is made by Immigration New Zealand.

Neither the employer nor recruitment company can guarantee visa approval.

APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS

Candidates interested in Care and Healthcare Support Worker positions should begin by completing the online application form available on this website.

Applicants should provide accurate information concerning:

Education
Employment history
Healthcare experience
Elderly-care experience
Disability-support experience
Personal-care experience
Hospital experience
English-language ability
Current employment
Current country of residence

Candidates with previous informal or family-care experience may mention this, but formal immigration requirements may require independently verifiable professional employment evidence.

SHORTLISTING

Applications will be reviewed against available care positions and immigration requirements.

Candidates whose profiles match available vacancies may be shortlisted.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly.

Submitting an application does not automatically mean the applicant has been selected.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to:

Online interviews
Employer interviews
Care-worker assessments
English assessments
Recruitment interviews

Depending on employer and recruitment arrangements, candidates may also be invited to interviews in Asia or the United Kingdom.

Candidates should not make travel arrangements simply because they submitted an application.

IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION

Do not purchase flights, reserve hotels or make travel arrangements until you have received a formal invitation and confirmed that you are legally eligible to travel to the interview destination.

Candidates selected through online interviews should also wait for formal employment and immigration instructions before arranging travel to New Zealand.

EMPLOYMENT OFFER

Candidates successfully selected will receive formal employment information.

The employment offer or agreement will normally identify:

Employer
Position
Care facility or workplace
Location
Hourly wage
Guaranteed hours
Shift pattern
Duties
Employment conditions
Accommodation arrangements
Meal arrangements
Proposed starting date

Candidates should carefully review the employment agreement before accepting the position.

HOW TO APPLY

COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

If you are interested in full-time Care or Healthcare Support employment in New Zealand, complete the application form available on this website.

Candidates with experience in:

Elderly care
Disability support
Healthcare
Hospitals
Residential care
Personal care
Community care
Nursing support

should provide full details.

Entry-level candidates may also submit an application for suitable positions, but all applicants requiring a work visa must meet the applicable New Zealand immigration requirements.

Once your application has been submitted:

PLEASE WAIT TO BE CONTACTED.

Applications will be assessed against available positions.

Candidates selected for the next stage will be contacted directly.

POSITION SUMMARY

Position: Care Worker / Healthcare Assistant / Aged Care Worker / Personal Care Assistant / Nursing Support Worker
Country: New Zealand
Employment: Full-Time
2026 Adult Minimum Wage: NZD $23.95 Gross Per Hour
Actual Care Salary: According to Position, Employer & Applicable Immigration Requirements
AEWV Job Offer: At Least 30 Hours Per Week
Accommodation: Provided
Meals: Provided During Working Days
Additional Shifts: Available Where Required
Work Visa Assistance: Provided for Eligible Candidates
Potential Work-to-Residence Pathway: Available for Certain Qualifying Care Workforce Occupations After Meeting Applicable Requirements
Employer: TBA

APPLY FOR CARE & HEALTHCARE SUPPORT WORK IN NEW ZEALAND

If you are patient, reliable and interested in helping elderly people, people with disabilities and others requiring everyday care and support, submit your application to be considered for available New Zealand positions.

Previous professional care experience is particularly valuable, although entry-level candidates may be considered for appropriate positions.

International applicants will be assessed according to employer requirements and New Zealand immigration eligibility.

COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM AND WAIT TO BE CONTACTED IF YOUR APPLICATION IS SHORTLISTED.

Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview, employment, an Accredited Employer Work Visa or New Zealand residence. Entry-level recruitment does not remove Immigration New Zealand’s experience, qualification, English-language, health, character or other requirements. Any Care Workforce Work to Residence pathway is subject to the applicant completing the required qualifying employment at the applicable wage and satisfying all residence requirements. Final employment and immigration decisions are made by the relevant employer and New Zealand authorities.