[Debbie P.]

Probably a very silly question, but if my OH has been assessed by NZQA and I go to NZ on his visa, and then decide to get a job... do I still need to get my qualifications assessed? Or would I be OK to get work once I was living in NZ?

I have a professional qualification, but it's not in demand over there, so it would be a case of getting lucky. I might just have to take an unqualified job if nothing in my professional field came up. Don't want to waste money if it's not necessary.

[speckythecky]

It does depend on what you qualifications are and what job you want.

If you do not have your qualifications assessed your pay could be reduced for any job you get if that job is related to your qualifications.

It may also help you to get a job if you have shown the commitment to NZ by having your quals assessed.

Having said that I am not getting my qualifications assessed, I decided that they were not at a high enough level and not relevant to any work I was likely to get in NZ.

Personally, if you think you could get a job without the assessment I would do that. You can always do the assessment later if an employer says that you would be paid a higher rate because of it.

[Trigirl]

you wont need it doing for the visa process.

as for whether it needs doing for work it really depends on what it is. i'm an accountant and my qualification doesn't need assessing by NZQA. but each profession is different.

[Debbie P.]

Thanks for the answers. The salary issue is a good point.

Trigirl, do you know if there's any way of finding out which professions do need to be assessed - is there something on NZQA website? Can't see anything there... I can understand medical and teaching professionals having to be assessed, but am not sure about me - I'm a librarian. In this country, you've got to have a degree in information studies but no professional registration is necessary (although it helps).

[Trigirl]

you could start here maybe?
http://www.careers.govt.nz/default.aspx?id0=103&id1=J21720

i contacted the accountancy institute in NZ and asked them - is there a librarian equivalent?