Australian regulatory authorities recognise the New Zealand qualifications(s) held by certifying or licensed plumbers, gasfitters < and will issue registration for the equivalent category.
If you are applying for registration in any Australian state you may be required to produce a verified copy of your registration certificate as well as a current New Zealand Practising Licence in support of your application.
The Australian regulatory authority will contact us to verify your details.
For more information contact the Australian Regulatory Authority, under whose jurisdiction you wish to work.
Step one: Know the pathway to registration
We are able to grant registration to overseas-qualified tradespeople who meet the minimum standards for registration.
To start the process, you need to take a look at the helpful resources below to learn more about the pathway to gain registration in New Zealand.
See the introduction guide here
Guide for overseas-qualified tradespeople
See the process in brief here
The registration pathway in brief
We are here to help
If you need support with understanding the pathway to registration let us know. We are happy to help.
Contact our registration support team on 0800 743 262.
If your first language is not English and you need help with translating the induction guide. Let us know. Email comms@pgdb.co.nz
Are you ready to apply for registration in New Zealand?
A person may be entitled to registration once they have achieved the minimum standards of competence required within the registration process.
If you successfully get a Skills Recommendation, you will meet Criteria 1 of the Board’s standards for the pre-registration application.
To apply to be recommended for registration you need to do the following:
- complete the ‘Skills Recommendation for Registration’ application form,
- supply supporting evidence,
- pay the associated fees and submit your application to Skills NZ.
How you do this:
Step two: Getting your skills recommendation to help with pre-registration
If you already have an overseas plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying qualification, The New Zealand industry training organisation, Skills NZ, carries out an assessment of overseas qualifications on behalf of the PGDB.
This Skills Recommendation will give you recognition of your qualifications to help you apply for pre-registration with us. [step 3].
Note: You can only apply for one trade per application.
To apply for the Skills Recommendation from Skills NZ, first make sure you meet the following criteria:
- You hold an overseas qualification in plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying
- You are based overseas or in New Zealand
- You can supply evidence that you have a minimum of four years working full time in the plumbing and/or gasfitting trade, or
- evidence that you have a minimum of two years working full time in the drainlaying trade.
What kind of evidence do I need to supply?
The checklist:
- A certified copy of your formal qualification in either plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying.
- A certified transcript that relates to your qualification (the topics covered in the qualification)
- A letter from current or past employer(s) or supervisor(s) which: 1. details the exact type of plumbing/gasfitting/drainlaying work that you carried out, and 2. provides exact dates of employment.
- Any additional relevant training that can support your application for pre-registration. This also needs to be certified e.g. specialised health and safety training or courses, specialised supplier training.
Check these things
- Any letters are on letterhead, dated and signed by the author.
- Your certified evidence is a photocopy of your original document that has been verified by a person authorised to make such declarations, for example, a Justice of the Peace, barrister or solicitor, notary public, court registrar or deputy registrar, or a Member of Parliament.
- Any evidence submitted for the Skills Recommendation for Registration needs to be in English.
What happens next
- You will then receive an acknowledgement that your application has been received by Skills NZ.
- Your application will be reviewed within 20 working days.
- Skills NZ will notify you as to whether you meet Skills Recommendation for Registration.
Complete the ‘Skills Recommendation for Registration’ application form, pay the fees and submit your application to Skills NZ here: www.skills.org.nz/overseas-qualifications
The cost will be NZD $862 (incl GST) for each application for each trade. Payments are to be made by credit card.
If you need help submitting your application form Skills can help. Give Skills NZ a call on 0508 SKILLS.
Step 3: Your pre-registration application with the PGDB
As part of your application for pre-registration with us we need you to submit your Skills Recommendation from Skill NZ [steps 1 and 2].
Complete your pre-registration application. ;
- Pre-registration application (overseas qualified)
What if I am not awarded the Skills Recommendation for Registration?
The Skills Recognition process
If you do not meet the Skills Recommendation for Registration Skills NZ will advise you of which standards you require and if there are any gaps in your application. Each standard has an associated credit value.
To meet recognition of these standards there are two options available to you:
- Submit workplace evidence through through the Skills Recognition Process which will then be reviewed by an assessor. This will cost an additional $20 per credit.
- Arrange gap training through a NZ Training Provider. Cost for this may vary depending on the gaps.
Print steps 1-3 here
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