Why Study/Key Benefits

• Introduces students to the knowledge and practical skills required for entry-level healthcare assistant work.

• Develops an understanding of person-centred care, including supporting clients according to individual needs and care plans.

• Covers communication, privacy and confidentiality, cultural awareness, safe care, infection prevention and health and safety.

• Includes practical work placement, allowing students to apply classroom learning in a healthcare setting.

• Provides a potential pathway to the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing — Healthcare Assistance Strand (Level 3), subject to the next programme’s admission requirements

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

NZTC lists six courses for the qualification:

• HW201 — The Responsible Healthcare Assistant: Introduces the role of a healthcare assistant within the wider healthcare team, professional boundaries, client rights and responsible practice.

• HW202 — Individual Client Care: Covers person-centred care, personalised care plans, strengths-based support and helping clients maintain or improve their independence.

• HW203 — Effective Communication to Enhance Support: Develops communication skills for healthcare settings, including addressing communication barriers and maintaining privacy and confidentiality.

• HW204 — Culturally Inclusive and Safe Care: Explores how culture affects health and wellbeing, culturally responsive care, bicultural and multicultural principles, and tikanga practices.

• HW311 — Health and Safety in a Healthcare Setting: Covers identifying and responding to health and safety risks, falls prevention, infection control and managing potential infection outbreaks.

• HW200 — Health and Wellbeing in Practice – Field Experience: Applies theory in a practical setting, with a focus on safe and culturally sensitive care, personalised care plans, client independence and effective communication.

Assessment:

• NZTC states that its Health and Wellbeing courses are internally assessed and include theory-based assessments.

• NZTC’s FAQ says there are no exams; students complete assessments after their courses according to the programme schedule.

  
  

Disciplines/Specialisations

The qualification focuses on introductory healthcare assistance and wellbeing support. Its study areas include:

• Person-centred client care.

• Communication and support in healthcare environments.

• Cultural awareness and safe care.

• Health and safety, including falls prevention.

• Infection prevention and control.

• Professional responsibilities and client rights.

• Practical experience in a healthcare setting.

Programme Highlights

• Short, 12-week full-time qualification.

• Level 2 certificate carrying 40 credits.

• Blended learning combining online course materials with practical experience.

• 80 hours of required work placement.

• Open academic entry, with a minimum age of 18 for international applicants.

• Training in person-centred care, communication, cultural safety, client wellbeing and healthcare safety.

• A potential progression pathway to NZTC’s New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing — Healthcare Assistance Strand (Level 3), subject to entry requirements.

Career Outcomes

The qualification provides introductory knowledge relevant to healthcare support work. Potentially relevant settings include:

• Aged-care facilities.

• Residential-care services.

• Disability-support services.

• Hospitals and other healthcare environments.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The programme page currently lists the November 2 and November 16, 2026 intakes. Confirm whether international places remain available before applying.

• The programme is advertised as 12 weeks full-time and 40 credits.

• The 80-hour work placement and completed Workplace Support Form are core programme requirements, not optional extras.

• The zero-fee offer shown on the programme page is for domestic students; international tuition is not included in that statement.

• Before accepting an offer, international applicants should obtain written confirmation of the international tuition fee, accepted English evidence, placement arrangements, start date and appropriate immigration route.

International Student Visa Requirements

The correct immigration route depends on whether the student intends to study in New Zealand or complete the programme from overseas. The qualification lasts 12 weeks, so applicants should confirm visa eligibility with Immigration New Zealand before paying tuition or arranging travel.

For study in New Zealand:

• The Fee Paying Student Visa is for eligible students studying full-time with an approved education provider. However, applicants must confirm that this particular 12-week programme and their proposed study arrangement qualify for that visa.

• Immigration New Zealand’s published visa fee starts at NZD 850, and the stated processing estimate is 80% of applications within seven weeks. These figures can change.

• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before intended travel.

General requirements for a Fee Paying Student Visa include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.

• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an accepted scholarship or other arrangement.

• Evidence of living funds or an acceptable sponsor.

• Evidence of outward travel or enough money to buy a ticket to a country the student can enter.

• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.

• Meeting health, character and genuine-intention requirements.

• Any additional documents required by Immigration New Zealand.

Living funds:

• For tertiary or other non-compulsory study lasting less than one year, Immigration New Zealand specifies NZD 1,667 per month.

• For a 12-week course, the applicant should confirm the amount and evidence required for their actual visa application with Immigration New Zealand. Do not assume that a particular visa will be granted solely because the course is short.

Work rights:

• A student visa may allow work for up to 25 hours per week and full-time work during specified holidays, depending on the conditions granted.

• These rights are not automatic and depend on the individual visa. The student must follow the conditions shown on their eVisa or visa letter.

Practical placement:

• The programme requires 80 hours of work placement.

• Immigration New Zealand states that where practical work experience is a course requirement, applicants may need evidence from the provider, such as an offer-of-place letter or course outline confirming the requirement. Practical placement hours are treated separately from permitted employment hours under visa conditions.