Why Study "New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Health Assistance) (Level 3)"

The New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Health Assistance) (Level 3) at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is designed for students who want to develop practical skills for working as healthcare assistants. The programme focuses on person-centred care, supporting individuals with health conditions or disabilities, and working under the direction of health professionals. It can also provide a foundation for progressing to higher-level health and nursing-related studies.

• Level of study: New Zealand Certificate, Level 3.

• Duration: 1 semester full-time, including holidays where applicable.

• Total credits: 70.

• Learning mode: Blended learning, combining on-campus classes with online study.

• Campus locations: Rotorua, Tauranga, and Tokoroa.

• Upcoming intake: February 2027.

• International tuition fee: NZD $15,960, as listed on Toi Ohomai's international course list.

Key Benefits

This programme offers an introduction to the healthcare sector through a combination of theoretical learning and practical workplace experience. It is suitable for learners interested in assisting people with their daily care and wellbeing needs.

• Develop practical skills for person-centred healthcare assistance.

• Learn about health issues, wellbeing, vulnerability, and safe patient movement.

• Gain experience supporting individuals with multiple conditions or disabilities.

• Build a foundation for employment in healthcare assistance settings.

• Explore opportunities for further study in health or nursing-related programmes.

• Benefit from blended learning, which combines online study with scheduled classroom attendance.

• Complete practical workplace experience as part of the qualification.

Program Structure

The programme combines health and wellbeing theory, practical learning, and supervised healthcare assistance experience. Toi Ohomai identifies the following topics as part of the course:

• Health Practice and Diversity in Health Care.

• Implement Person-centred Health Care.

• Concepts of Risk Management within a Health and Wellbeing Setting.

Programme delivery and practical requirements:

• Study duration: 1 semester full-time.

• Credits: 70.

• Learning format: Blended learning.

• Practical experience: Minimum 100 hours of practical work experience as a healthcare assistant.

• Placement: Students who are not already working as healthcare assistants may be supported by Toi Ohomai in finding a placement with a healthcare organisation.

• Practical work is expected to be completed during the semester.

Discipline / Specialisation

The course is offered within the health and wellbeing and healthcare assistance discipline.

• Health Assistance.

• Person-centred healthcare.

• Health and wellbeing support.

• Risk management in healthcare settings.

• Supporting individuals with health conditions or disabilities.

The qualification is focused on healthcare assistance rather than a specialist nursing registration programme.

Programme Highlights

The programme is designed to help students develop the foundational knowledge and practical skills required to assist people in healthcare environments.

• Practical healthcare experience: Students complete at least 100 hours of relevant practical work experience.

• Flexible learning: Blended delivery allows students to combine online learning with on-campus study.

• Patient-centred care: Emphasis on supporting individuals according to their needs and wellbeing.

• Healthcare workplace skills: Learning includes safe patient movement, responding to vulnerability and abuse, and supporting people with multiple conditions.

• Career progression: The qualification may support progression towards further health-related study, depending on the entry requirements of the next programme.

• Healthcare sector exposure: Students can prepare for healthcare assistant work in different care environments.

Career Outcomes

Graduates may pursue entry-level healthcare assistant opportunities in different healthcare and support environments. Employment depends on individual skills, employer requirements, work eligibility, and any additional workplace conditions.

Potential career settings include:

• Acute care.

• Primary care.

• Aged residential care.

• Therapeutic programmes.

• Healthcare assistance and support services.

The qualification may also be used as a stepping stone towards higher-level nursing courses or other relevant degrees. Students should check the specific entry requirements for any further programme they wish to pursue.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students intending to study this programme in New Zealand should review the requirements for the Fee Paying Student Visa, or another visa category applicable to their circumstances.

Key requirements generally include:

• Offer of place: Obtain an offer of place from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology for the approved programme.

• Tuition fees: Provide evidence of tuition fee payment or an acceptable arrangement for paying fees.

• Living expenses: Demonstrate sufficient funds for living costs in New Zealand, or provide evidence of an acceptable sponsor.

• Health and travel insurance: Hold insurance that meets Immigration New Zealand and the education provider's requirements.

• Genuine study intentions: Be prepared to explain your study plans, previous education, financial circumstances, and reasons for choosing the course.

• Health and character: Meet applicable immigration requirements.

• Return or onward travel: Demonstrate that you can leave New Zealand at the end of your authorised stay, as required.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that tertiary students generally need to show NZD $20,000 per year for living expenses when studying for one year or longer. For a programme shorter than one year, the applicable financial evidence should be confirmed based on the actual length of study and visa requirements.

Student visa work rights depend on the conditions granted on the individual visa. Do not assume that practical placement hours or employment opportunities automatically provide unrestricted work rights.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The following details are important for students planning to apply for the programme based on the information available in September 2026.

• Latest listed intake: February 2027.

• Listed campuses: Rotorua (Mokoia Campus), Tauranga (Windermere Campus), and Tokoroa Campus.

• Additional intake dates: The course page lists 22 February 2027 at all three campuses and 19 July 2027 at Rotorua and Tauranga. Availability should be confirmed before application.

• International tuition fee: NZD $15,960, as listed on Toi Ohomai's international course list.

• Entry criteria: Applicants must provide evidence of their ability to complete the academic requirements.

• English language requirement: Toi Ohomai lists IELTS General or Academic score of 5.0, with no band score below 5.0, for its Level 3 certificate entry requirement, or an accepted alternative under its English proficiency requirements.

• Information session: Applicants may be invited to an information meeting to discuss course content and suitability.

• Diagnostic assessment: The institute may use diagnostic assessment to check whether students can meet academic and health and safety requirements.

• Practical placement: A minimum of 100 hours of practical work experience is required.

• Timetable clarification: The course overview describes one day per week in class, while the locations/intakes section describes two days per week in class. This inconsistency should be confirmed directly with Toi Ohomai before enrolment.

• Health and safety: Students should be prepared to meet the practical placement and health and safety requirements of the programme and placement provider.

• Scholarships and funding: The international course listing shows the course fee, but no course-specific international scholarship was identified in the information reviewed. Students should check Toi Ohomai's current scholarship options and eligibility requirements with the international team.

• Fee confirmation: Confirm the final tuition fee, any compulsory levies, additional materials, and placement-related expenses before accepting an offer.

Fees and Funding

The international course listing from Toi Ohomai shows an indicative tuition fee of NZD $15,960 for the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Health Assistance) (Level 3), with February 2027 listed as the intake.

• International tuition fee: NZD $15,960.

• Fee confirmation: Confirm the final amount with the institute before enrolment, as fees and additional charges can change.

• Additional costs: Budget for living expenses, accommodation, transportation, learning materials, insurance, and other personal costs.

• Scholarships: No specific course-linked international scholarship was confirmed in the reviewed information.

• Funding: International students should explore applicable scholarships or financial support from their home country, external organisations, or Toi Ohomai's international admissions team.

• StudyLink: The course page lists StudyLink assistance, but this is generally relevant to eligible domestic students. International students should not assume eligibility for New Zealand government student loans or allowances.