For a lot of Australian vets, working overseas sits somewhere on the bucket list – exciting, but a little daunting. The visas, the paperwork, the being-a-long-way-from-home of it all.
New Zealand is the rare exception. It’s close, it’s familiar, and for Australian citizens it’s genuinely one of the easiest places in the world to pick up a locum block. You can be living a slightly different life – short days, mountain trails after work, weekends spent exploring – without ever feeling like you’ve leapt off the edge of the map.
We recently supported an Australian vet through exactly this: a locum stint in Turangi, on the North Island. Here’s what she learned, and what you’ll want to know before you go.
Why New Zealand is the easiest overseas move you’ll make
If you’re an Australian citizen, the single biggest barrier to working abroad – the visa – simply isn’t there.
Under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, Australian citizens can live and work in New Zealand without applying for a visa in advance. You’re granted residence on arrival, with no work restrictions and no employer sponsorship to organise.
“I’d always wanted to try locuming in other countries, and I thought New Zealand would be a good place to start because it’s close by,” the vet told us. It’s a common starting point for exactly that reason: the adventure of working somewhere new, without the logistics of a long-haul move.
One thing to check: this applies to Australian citizens. If you’re an Australian permanent resident but not a citizen, you’ll need an NZeTA before you travel. It’s free, but worth sorting early.
The part everyone worries about: tax, registration and admin
When we asked her what made her most nervous, the answer was immediate: “the tax and legal side of things.” It’s the most common worry we hear, and the most manageable once you know the steps.
There are really three things to sort:
- Register with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ). You can’t practise (or call yourself a veterinarian) in New Zealand without VCNZ registration and a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC). The good news: if you’re already registered with an Australian state board, you register under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement. That’s a streamlined route that recognises your existing Australian registration, at reduced cost, with no exams to re-sit.
- Get an IRD number. This is New Zealand’s equivalent of your Tax File Number, and you’ll need it to be taxed correctly.
- Open a New Zealand bank account so you can be paid locally.
None of it is complicated. It’s just unfamiliar, which is exactly the part a good recruiter takes off your plate.
What the work is actually like
Here’s where New Zealand surprises people. “Basically just another Australia,” was her first impression. “There were a lot of familiar shops and things. A few little differences to get used to, but otherwise the lifestyle is similar to home.”
In Turangi, a small town near Lake Taupō, the days were short and the pace was gentle. “Work days were short, 9am to 4pm. The clients were all lovely, because everyone is so stress-free.”
She did notice more clients working within tighter budgets than she was used to. Rather than a frustration, it became part of the craft: “There are a lot more clients with financial constraints, but we could work around that – and they really appreciate that we work around their budget.” For a lot of vets, that kind of pragmatic, relationship-led practice is a genuine breath of fresh air.
Life outside the clinic
This is the bit that turns a locum block into something you remember.
“After work ended at 4pm, I’d go to a nearby river trail for a walk, or drive to the other towns. Every weekend I’d travel to further cities or towns. I felt like I was there more for a holiday than for work.”
That’s the quiet magic of a New Zealand locum: a short commute, an early finish, and a country built for the outdoors right on your doorstep.
The odd surprise
Not everything is identical across the Tasman. Her favourite curveball? The cats.
“Most pet cats in New Zealand are outdoor, and surprisingly quite feral or feisty. I talked to a few Kiwis who were surprised that most cats in Australian cities are indoor-only.”
Consider yourself warned.
So, should you do it?
We’ll let her answer that one.
“Highly recommended if you love a little adventure but are worried about going too far from home – or if you want a holiday while earning a bit of money to put towards the trip.”
That’s New Zealand in a sentence: far enough to feel like a real adventure, close enough to feel safe doing it.
How GVC helps
Working out IRD numbers, VCNZ registration and the right placement on your own is doable, but it’s a lot to hold while you’re also doing your actual job.
That’s where we come in. We match you to the practice and location that fit how you want to work and live, and we handle the moving parts (registration, paperwork and the on-the-ground details) so you can focus on the adventure rather than the admin.
And we don’t disappear once you’ve landed: our support runs from your first conversation right through to your first day and beyond.
Thinking about a locum block in New Zealand?
Register your interest with GVC and we’ll talk you through what’s possible.
