Salary:

Senior Medical Officers receive a base salary relative to their level of experience. This is agreed upon at the time of the job offer. There is a 15-step pay scale that SMOs continue to progress through on a yearly basis.

In New Zealand, the salary and benefits of some roles are determined by collective agreements between unions and employers. The full Senior Medical Officers collective agreement can be found on the Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora website here.

Additional allowances are paid on top of base salary and vary due to location and service and are often not specified in the collective agreement.

Allowances:

There are a range of additional allowances for:

• on-call,

• evening, night and weekend work,

• call back,

• job size,

• recruitment and retention,

• and special contribution.

Leave:

• 6 weeks of paid annual leave.

• A minimum of 10 days of sick leave per year.

• 10 days of paid Continuing Medical Education Leave (CME), plus the ability to use annual leave tacked onto the end of your CME travel.

• 6-12 months of parental leave depending on the length of service, including 6 weeks of fully paid parental leave.

• 12 paid public holidays + time in lieu/alternative holiday if rostered on.

• Long service leave + sabbatical opportunities.

Additional benefits include: 

• An annual Continuing Medical Education (CME) allowance of NZD $16,000 (pro-rated for part-time employees).

• Reimbursement of your registration and practising certificate fees.

• Your professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ.

• If eligible, up to a 6% matching superannuation contribution from Health New Zealand as your employer. Find out more here.

• A relocation package for international candidates.

Leadership and career development opportunities:

Health New Zealand encourages Senior Medical Officers to be involved in the design, implementation and performance of facilities and technology involved in the delivery of healthcare services to ensure an effective, efficient and safe workplace. 

Specific opportunities vary by location and service, however, can include:  

• Support and encouragement for research and publications.
  

• Mentorship opportunities for apprentice Junior Doctors/Registrars.
  

• Regional and National networks allow for subspeciality research and practice. 
  

• Ongoing development and support for career growth with on-the-job coaching and a variety of in-house training programmes. 

Emergency Medicine Specialists play a critical role in ensuring timely, effective, and safe care for patients in urgent need. Their work is varied and essential to the functioning of the healthcare system.

Roles and responsibilities may include:

Clinical assessment and treatment

• Evaluate and manage a wide range of emergency presentations, from minor injuries to life-threatening conditions.

• Perform essential procedures such as airway management, resuscitation, and wound care.

Patient care and safety

• Ensure patient safety by making accurate diagnoses and initiating appropriate treatment plans.

• Communicate effectively with patients and their families about conditions, treatments, and next steps.

Collaboration & leadership

• Work alongside nurses, junior doctors, and allied health professionals to deliver coordinated care.

• Provide guidance and leadership in the emergency department, especially in high-pressure situations.

Education & training

• Teach and mentor medical students, junior doctors, and other healthcare staff.

• Share expertise in emergency procedures and clinical decision-making.

Quality improvement & professional development

• Participate in quality assurance activities, such as audits and protocol reviews.

• Engage in ongoing professional development to stay updated with advancements in emergency medicine.

To work as an Emergency Medicine Specialist in New Zealand, the following qualifications and experience are required:

Medical degree

MBChB or equivalent: Emergency medicine specialists must first obtain a medical degree (MBChB or equivalent) from a recognised medical school. This typically involves a 5- to 6-year undergraduate medical programme.

General medical registration

New Zealand Medical Council registration: Graduates must complete a one-year internship (house officer year) and obtain general registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). International medical graduates may need to pass additional exams or assessments to gain registration.

Specialist training in emergency medicine

Emergency medicine training programme: After gaining general medical registration, doctors must complete a specialist training programme in emergency medicine. In New Zealand, this is typically a 5- to 7-year training pathway accredited by the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM). The programme includes both clinical training and examinations.

Fellowship with ACEM

FACEM Certification: Upon successful completion of the training programme, doctors must obtain a Fellowship with the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (FACEM) or an equivalent qualification. This fellowship certifies them as a qualified emergency medicine specialist, allowing independent practice in New Zealand.

Experience in emergency medicine

Clinical experience: Relevant clinical experience during and after the training programme is essential. Many emergency medicine specialists gain additional expertise through fellowships, advanced training in specific areas like trauma or paediatric emergency care, or experience working in diverse healthcare settings.

Continued professional development

Ongoing education: Emergency medicine specialists are expected to engage in continued professional development (CPD) to maintain their registration and stay current with advancements in emergency care. This may include attending conferences, and workshops, and completing CPD activities as outlined by ACEM or the MCNZ.

English language proficiency

Language requirements: Proficiency in English is mandatory. International medical graduates may need to demonstrate English language proficiency through exams like IELTS or OET unless they completed their primary medical qualifications in an English-speaking country.

Registration with professional bodies

Professional registration: In addition to MCNZ registration, emergency medicine specialists must adhere to the standards and codes of conduct set by professional bodies such as ACEM.

Registering to work as an Emergency Medicine Specialist in New Zealand:

To work as an Emergency Medicine Specialist in New Zealand you will need to obtain Vocational Registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).

Pathways to Vocational Registration include:

1. Direct pathway to Vocational Registration:

• If you are an International Medical Graduate (IMG) with specialist qualifications from countries with medical systems deemed equivalent to New Zealand’s (e.g., Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada, or some European countries), you may be eligible to apply directly for vocational registration without needing first to obtain general registration.

• In this pathway, the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) will assess your specialist qualifications, clinical experience, and the medical system where you trained. If these are deemed equivalent, you can apply directly for vocational registration in your specialty (such as Emergency Medicine).

• This pathway allows experienced specialists to bypass general registration and the provisional general phase, which is typically required for doctors without a recognised specialist qualification.

2. Provisional Vocational Registration pathway

• If the MCNZ determines that your qualifications and experience are largely equivalent but that you need some orientation or assessment within the New Zealand healthcare system, you may be granted provisional vocational registration.

• This means you’ll practice in your specialty under supervision for a period, typically between 6-12 months, before being granted full vocational registration.

• During this provisional Vocational Registration period, a specialist who practises in the same area of medicine as you will supervise you. 

3. General registration pathway

• Some IMGs who do not meet the criteria for direct vocational registration may first need to obtain general registration if their qualifications and experience are not recognized as equivalent.

• This process to gain Vocational Registration includes:

  • A period of Provisional General Registration (with supervised practice) if necessary.

  • After obtaining General Registration, they can later apply for Vocational Registration once they have completed any further assessments or additional supervised practice required by the MCNZ.

Take the self-assessment

The Medical Council of New Zealand have a self-assessment tool to help you easily determine which registration pathway you should take.

Use the Medical Council's self-assessment tool

Find out more about life in New Zealand

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Visit our Candidate Information page