Ngā Tohu Manapou e tautuhia ana
Approved Aotearoa paramedic qualifications
Under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, Te Kaunihera Manapou | Paramedic Council (Te Kaunihera) is responsible for prescribing paramedic qualifications and setting education standards for paramedic programmes and the institutions that provide these programmes.
Te Kaunihera has approved the following qualifications for registration as a paramedic:
For those wishing to undertake further study in Aotearoa New Zealand to obtain a specialist paramedic practise endorsement, Te Kaunihera has approved the following postgraduate qualifications from AUT:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Paramedicine – Extended Care Paramedicine (for Extended Care Paramedic endorsement);
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Paramedicine – Critical Care Paramedicine (for Critical Care Paramedic endorsement);
- Master of Health Practice in Paramedicine (MHPrac) with a transcript providing evidence of completion of the same papers required for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Paramedicine – Critical Care Paramedicine (for Critical Care Paramedic endorsement) or Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Paramedicine – Extended Care Paramedicine (for Extended Care Paramedic endorsement);
- Master of Health Science (MHSc) with a transcript providing evidence of completion of the same papers required for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Paramedicine – Critical Care Paramedicine (for Critical Care Paramedic endorsement) or Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Paramedicine – Extended Care Paramedicine (for Extended Care Paramedic endorsement).
Further information is available by clicking the links below:
Paramedic Scope of Practice
Under section 12 of the HPCA Act Te Kaunihera has prescribed the following qualifications for registration in the Paramedic scope of practice:
Aotearoa | New Zealand qualified:
- In accordance with section 12(2)(a) of the HPCA Act, a Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Paramedicine, conferred by an educational institution accredited by Te Kaunihera.
All applicants for registration as a Paramedic are also required to successfully complete a cultural safety education course set by an organisation approved by Te Kaunihera under section 12(2)(b).
Specialist Paramedic Practice Endorsements
Under section 12 of the HPCA Act, Te Kaunihera has prescribed the following qualifications for registration in the Paramedic scope of practice with a specialist paramedic practice endorsement:
Pathway 1: Auckland University of Technology Qualification - Extended Care Paramedic and/or Critical Care Paramedic
Paramedics who are registered in Aotearoa New Zealand under the general paramedic scope of practice and who have completed an approved qualification can apply for a specialist paramedic practice endorsement as a Critical Care and/or Extended Care Paramedic with one or more of the following qualifications from Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau | Auckland University of Technology:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Paramedicine – Extended Care Paramedicine (for Extended Care Paramedic endorsement);
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Paramedicine – Critical Care Paramedicine (for Critical Care Paramedic endorsement);
- Master of Health Practice in Paramedicine (MHPrac) with a transcript providing evidence of completion of the same papers required for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Paramedicine – Critical Care Paramedicine (for Critical Care Paramedic endorsement) or Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Paramedicine – Extended Care Paramedicine (for Extended Care Paramedic endorsement);
- Master of Health Science (MHSc) with a transcript providing evidence of completion of the same papers required for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Paramedicine – Critical Care Paramedicine (for Critical Care Paramedic endorsement) or Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Paramedicine – Extended Care Paramedicine (for Extended Care Paramedic endorsement).
Pathway 2: Grandparenting pathway Extended Care Paramedic and/or Critical Care Paramedic
This pathway to obtain a specialist paramedic practice endorsement as an Extended Care Paramedic or Critical Care Paramedic will only be open for 18 months, and closes on 2 Tīhema | December 2026.
Paramedics registered in the general paramedic scope of practice who have not completed an approved qualification, but have current practise experience in Aotearoa New Zealand as a Critical Care and/or Extended Care paramedic, and/or have other qualifications and can demonstrate training and experience relevant to a Critical Care and/or Extended Care endorsement may apply for a specialist endorsement under this pathway. The grandparenting pathway requires the following:
- The provision of a portfolio containing the following evidence:a current authority to practise as an Extended Care Paramedic and/or Critical Care Paramedic, and/or evidence of their current role and skills performed including any standing orders; and
- support letters, particularly from current employer(s), confirming the period of time the Paramedic has practised as an Extended Care Paramedic and/or Critical Care Paramedic and that they have been assessed by a provider organisation (by way of an authority to practise process or similar assessment process) at an Extended Care Paramedic and/or Critical Care Paramedic practice level; and
- CV outlining relevant specialist qualifications, employment, knowledge, and experience; and
- any other relevant evidence relating to their practice as an Extended Care Paramedic and/or Critical Care Paramedic; and
If, following an assessment of the portfolio, Te Kaunihera is not satisfied that there is sufficient evidence that the paramedic is competent to receive a Specialist Paramedic Practice endorsement, Te Kaunihera may require the applicant to successfully complete an Extended Care Paramedic and/or Critical Care Paramedic clinical assessment day through Auckland University of Technology or another provider approved by Te Kaunihera before considering the application further.
Pathway 3: Grandparenting pathway Intensive Care Paramedic
This pathway to obtain a specialist paramedic practice endorsement as an Intensive Care Paramedic will only be open for 18 months, and closes on 2 Tīhema | December 2026.
Paramedics registered in the general paramedic scope of practice who have not completed an approved qualification, but have current practise experience in Aotearoa New Zealand as an Intensive Care Paramedic, and/or have other qualifications and can demonstrate training and experience relevant to an Intensive Care Paramedic endorsement may apply for a specialist endorsement under this pathway. The grandparenting pathway requires one or both of the following qualifications:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science in Resuscitation from the Auckland University of Technology; and/or
- Postgraduate Certificate in Specialty Care (Advanced Paramedic Practice) from Whitireia;
OR
- The provision of a portfolio containing the following evidence:
- a current authority to practise as an Intensive Care Paramedic, and/or evidence of their current role and skills performed including any standing orders; and
- support letters, particularly from current employer(s), confirming the period of time the Paramedic has practised as an Intensive Care Paramedic and that they have been assessed by a provider organisation (by way of an authority to practise process or similar assessment process) at an Intensive Care Paramedic practice level; and
- CV outlining relevant specialist qualifications, employment, knowledge, and experience; and
- any other relevant evidence relating to practice as an Intensive Care Paramedic; and
If, following an assessment of the portfolio, Te Kaunihera is not satisfied that there is sufficient evidence that the paramedic is competent to receive a Specialist Paramedic Practice endorsement, Te Kaunihera may require the applicant to successfully complete an Intensive Care Paramedic clinical assessment day through Auckland University of Technology or another provider approved by Te Kaunihera before considering the application further.
The scope of practise for paramedics and specialist paramedic endorsements is available here.
Prospective ākonga | students should contact the listed educational institutions to discuss the opportunities and entry criteria for their paramedic programmes.
If you have relevant skills and knowledge through previous study or experience in work or other activities, you may be eligible for recognition of your prior learning (RPL). Further information on RPL, including how to apply and the relevant costs, can be found on the educational institutions websites here:
You may consider applying for a scholarship to assist with the costs of your study:
Paramedic scope of practice
If you have completed an approved paramedic qualification, you can apply for registration online here. We also have the following guides and documents which contain helpful information to assist you with preparing your application:
Specialist paramedic practise endorsements
Specialist paramedic practice endorsements (known as “endorsements”) recognise paramedics with additional qualifications working within an expanded area of paramedic practice. This page of our website has information on applying for an endorsement.
Gazette Notices
The HPCA Act requires Te Kaunihera to prescribe (recognise) the qualifications which allow for registration.
Before making changes to prescribed qualifications, Te Kaunihera will go through a period of consultation to seek feedback on the proposed changes. Click here to access Te Kaunihera’s previous consultations.
Resources