BisDak Team · 12 May 2026

Caregiver Jobs in New Zealand for Filipinos: Full Guide

Explore caregiver jobs in New Zealand for Filipinos — visa pathways, in-demand roles, pay rates, and how to find accredited employers hiring now.

New Zealand's aged care and disability support sectors are growing faster than the local workforce can fill them — and for Filipinos with a heart for caring work and a clear eye on permanent residence, the timing has never been better.

Why New Zealand Has Strong Demand for Caregivers

New Zealand's population is ageing quickly. Stats NZ projections show the number of New Zealanders aged 65 and over is expected to nearly double over the next two decades, putting sustained pressure on aged care, disability support, and home-based care services. The result is a consistent, long-term shortage of trained caregivers and support workers — one that cannot be filled by the domestic workforce alone.

Filipino workers have become highly valued across the NZ care sector. Employers consistently point to three qualities that set Filipino applicants apart: a deeply embedded culture of malasakit — genuine care for others — strong English communication, and health or nursing qualifications that translate well into the NZ context. For many rest homes, community care providers, and disability support organisations, Filipino caregivers are not just filling gaps; they are raising the standard of care.

Types of Caregiver Roles Available in New Zealand

The word "caregiver" covers a wider range of roles than most people realise. Understanding the distinctions matters — not just for your job search, but because visa eligibility can vary depending on the specific occupation.

• Aged care support worker: Working in rest homes, dementia units, or hospital-level residential care. These roles involve personal care, daily living support, and companionship for elderly residents.
• In-home community support worker: Supporting clients to live independently in their own homes, often with flexible, community-based shifts spread across a geographic area.
• Disability support worker: Assisting people with physical or intellectual disabilities to achieve independence and participate in their communities. This is one of the fastest-growing areas of the sector.
• Healthcare assistant (HCA): Supporting registered nurses and clinical teams in hospital or primary care settings. HCA roles typically require a higher level of clinical competency.

The distinction between support worker roles and enrolled or registered nurse (RN) roles is important. Enrolled and registered nursing positions attract different visa pathways — including Green List consideration — and carry different registration requirements through the Nursing Council of New Zealand. If you hold a Philippine nursing qualification, it is worth understanding which role category you genuinely qualify for before applying.

Visa Pathways to Work as a Caregiver in NZ

For most Filipino caregivers, the primary visa pathway is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Under this system, your employer must hold current INZ accreditation and pass a job check before you can lodge your own visa application. The AEWV runs on a three-step process — employer accreditation, job check, then worker application — and both sides carry responsibilities at each stage.

New Zealand's Green List occupations identifies roles in critical or high demand. Registered nurses appear on the Green List, which can mean faster pathways to residence. Support worker and community health worker roles generally do not qualify for the Green List at this stage — but the AEWV is a well-established route and, with consistent employment, can lead toward a resident visa application after working in New Zealand for a sustained period.

Important: this section summarises publicly available INZ guidance only. Your individual eligibility depends on your specific qualifications, work experience, and circumstances. Verify your pathway directly with Immigration New Zealand or a licensed immigration adviser (LIA) before making any decisions.

Qualifications and Skills NZ Employers Look For

You do not always need a qualification in hand before you arrive. Many NZ aged care employers sponsor their Filipino support workers through the NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing — offered at Level 2, 3, and 4 — while on the job. This employer-funded study pathway is one of the most practical advantages of entering the care sector.

That said, arriving with solid experience and documentation will strengthen your application:

• NZQA recognition of Philippine nursing or health-related qualifications — check whether your diploma or degree needs formal recognition through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority before applying to clinical roles
• English language evidence for certain occupations — accepted tests include IELTS and the Occupational English Test (OET); check the INZ requirement for your specific ANZSCO code
• A valid NBI clearance (police clearance), with sufficient validity at the time of your visa application
• A medical certificate from an INZ-approved panel physician in the Philippines
• First aid certification, which many employers expect before your first shift

Careerforce is the primary industry training body for NZ care qualifications. If you want to understand the qualification framework before you arrive, their website is a useful starting point.

Caregiver Pay Rates and Employment Rights in New Zealand

One of the most important shifts in NZ caregiving in recent years has been the Care and Support Workers Pay Equity Settlement, which significantly lifted wages across the aged care and disability support sector. Pay equity settlements in NZ recognise that historically feminised and underpaid work deserves wages that genuinely reflect its skill and value — and the settlement delivered meaningful increases across the board.

Pay is structured in bands based on your qualifications and years of service. The more training you complete and the longer you work in the sector, the higher the band you move into. This makes NZ caregiving wages more competitive than many people expect — and considerably more competitive with Australia than they used to be.

Beyond pay, as a migrant worker in NZ you are covered by the same employment rights as any other worker:

• Four weeks' annual leave per year under the Holidays Act 2003
• Ten days' sick leave per year
• Public holidays with the right to time-and-a-half pay or an alternative day off
• KiwiSaver employer contributions from day one of your employment
• ACC workplace injury cover — no-fault and available to all workers regardless of visa status

If your employment rights are not being respected, contact Employment New Zealand or call the Labour Inspectorate on 0800 20 90 20. Your visa status does not reduce your entitlements. MBIE takes migrant worker exploitation seriously, and reporting pathways exist that protect your ability to remain in NZ while a complaint is investigated.

How to Find and Apply for Caregiver Jobs in NZ

The BisDak Jobs Board is a practical first stop — roles posted there are aimed at the Filipino community in NZ, and many listings come from employers already experienced at hiring from the Philippines and holding INZ accreditation.

Beyond BisDak, major aged care providers known to actively hire Filipino workers include Bupa, Ryman Healthcare, Oceania Healthcare, Arvida, and Radius Residential Care. All have multiple sites across the country and advertise regularly on SEEK, Trade Me Jobs, and their own websites.

Before you commit to any application, verify that your prospective employer holds current INZ accreditation. You can check accreditation status directly on the INZ website — do not rely on an employer's assurances alone, and do not assume that because a company is large or well known, their accreditation is automatically current.

A word on recruitment scams: they are real, they target Filipinos applying from overseas, and they can cost families a devastating amount of money. The clearest rule: never pay a fee to secure a job offer. Legitimate NZ employers do not charge workers for visa sponsorship, job placement, or accreditation-related costs. If anyone is asking you to pay before a job is confirmed, walk away.

Building a Long-Term Career and Life in NZ

Caregiving in New Zealand is a recognised profession with a clear progression pathway, not a dead-end role. Many Filipino caregivers start as support workers and move into team leader positions within a few years. With employer-supported bridging study, some transition into enrolled nursing, and from there into registered nursing through the Nursing Council of New Zealand. The sector actively invests in people who show commitment.

When negotiating your employment agreement, ask specifically about training support — whether the employer funds your NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing, covers study leave, and supports progression. These are legitimate negotiating points, and many employers in the sector expect the conversation.

Once you are settled and working, family reunification becomes a real possibility. Partners and dependent children may be eligible for their own visas depending on your wage level and visa type. It is worth planning for this from the beginning rather than leaving it as an afterthought after arrival.

Sustained employment in NZ under the AEWV also builds toward a future residence application. The longer you work in a role your employer values — and the more qualifications you accumulate — the stronger your eventual residence pathway becomes.

What Now?

Whether you are researching from the Philippines or already working in NZ and considering a move into the care sector, here are three concrete steps to take this week.

• Check your qualifications against NZ employer expectations. Visit the Caregiver Job Profile on Careers New Zealand to understand what NZ employers look for, what the typical pay range looks like, and what study pathways exist within the sector. This gives you a clear, employer-facing picture of what you need to prepare before you apply for a single role.
• Verify AEWV accreditation before you apply anywhere. When you find a role you want to pursue, go directly to the INZ website and confirm the employer's accreditation is current. Do not skip this step — your ability to work legally in NZ depends on it, and a lapsed or missing accreditation can unravel an otherwise strong application.
• Connect with the BisDak community. Filipinos who are already working as caregivers in NZ are the most honest and practical source of guidance available — which employers are genuinely good to work for, which regions have the most openings, and what the transition to NZ life actually looks like. Join us, ask your questions, and tap into the network we have built together here in Aotearoa. Kaya natin ito.

This article was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed before publication. Spotted an error? Email hello@bisdak.co.nz.