The Diploma in Community Healthcare and Support (Level 7) at NZSE is designed for students who want to develop advanced practical knowledge for community-based healthcare and support roles. The programme focuses on primary healthcare, rehabilitation, professional practice, geriatric care, palliative care and health promotion. NZSE highlights the growing demand for healthcare workers in New Zealand and combines classroom learning with a substantial 160-hour work placement.

Key benefits include:

• NZQF Level 7 healthcare qualification.
• 120-credit programme.
• Practical and project-based learning.
• 160-hour supervised work placement.
• Exposure to aged care, primary healthcare, rehabilitation and palliative care.
• Development of culturally responsive and compassionate-care skills.
• Learning from experienced healthcare tutors.
• Live classes and practical learning.
• Opportunity to build professional networks through workplace experience.
• Further-study pathways into postgraduate health qualifications. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

Students complete seven courses worth a combined 120 credits over two semesters.

The current programme subjects are:

1. HLTH6001: Primary Health Care

Students explore how social, political and cultural factors influence health in Aotearoa New Zealand, with emphasis on health promotion, prevention and primary healthcare for diverse communities.

2. HLTH6002: Rehabilitation

Students learn about rehabilitation, workers' compensation and return-to-work programmes across different industries.

3. HLTH7001: Professional Practice and Legislation

This course covers health-service structures, professional roles, responsibilities, legislation and scope of practice within the New Zealand healthcare system.

4. HLTH7002: Research for Health Care Practice

Students develop skills in reading, analysing and applying healthcare research to professional practice.

5. HLTH7003: Geriatric Care

This course examines the holistic health and wellbeing of older adults, including psychological, socioeconomic, spiritual, political and cultural perspectives.

6. HLTH7004: Palliative Care – Tiakina Maioha

Students explore quality of life, dying and palliative care from legal, ethical, cultural, religious and personal perspectives.

7. HLTH7005: 160hr Work Placement

Students apply their community-health knowledge in an appropriate healthcare environment and gain practical experience supporting individuals and families

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme does not currently list formal majors or separate specialisations.

Its main areas of study are:

• Primary healthcare
• Community healthcare
• Health promotion
• Rehabilitation
• Geriatric care
• Palliative care
• Healthcare research
• Professional healthcare practice
• Healthcare legislation
• Culturally responsive care
• Community and family wellbeing.

Programme Highlights

The current NZSE programme information highlights:

• Level 7 diploma.
• 120 credits.
• One academic year.
• 32 weeks of study plus 7 weeks of study break.
• In-class/blended delivery.
• New Lynn and Hamilton campuses.
• 160-hour work placement.
• Seven courses across two semesters.
• Live classes.
• Project-based and practical learning.
• Industry-experienced tutors.
• Job-ready portfolio development.
• NZQA-certified qualification.
• Alumni-network access.

Career Outcomes

NZSE states that graduates may pursue roles such as:

• Community Healthcare Worker
• Health Promotion Officer
• Health Educator
• Palliative Care Nurse
• ACC Claims Officer.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

A significant current update concerns post-study work options.

NZSE states that from 16 November 2026, eligible international graduates of this programme may apply for a 6-month Short-term Graduate Work Visa following successful completion.

Immigration New Zealand confirms that the new Short-term Graduate Work Visa is scheduled to open for applications from 16 November 2026. Eligible graduates of NZQCF Level 5–7 qualifications can receive up to six months of open work rights if they meet the applicable requirements, including having studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks and holding a qualification that does not otherwise qualify them for a Post Study Work Visa.

For this particular Level 7 non-degree qualification, students should not assume that completion automatically gives a three-year Post Study Work Visa. Immigration New Zealand's current eligible-qualification list does not show this Diploma in Community Healthcare and Support as a qualification that independently qualifies for the existing Post Study Work Visa.

The 160-hour work placement is a compulsory programme component.

A compulsory criminal-record/police check is specifically listed for domestic applicants. The programme page does not explicitly state the same requirement under the international entry criteria, but because students undertake healthcare placement, applicants should confirm any police-check, health-screening, vaccination, placement or clinical-safety requirements with NZSE before enrolment.

Placement-specific requirements: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

NZSE currently states that graduates of this qualification are entitled to Pay Equity Level 4 at NZD $28.25 per hour. This is an employment/pay-equity reference rather than a guaranteed salary for every graduate or role.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students travelling to New Zealand to complete this onshore/blended programme generally require a Fee Paying Student Visa, unless another appropriate visa category applies.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to have:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient tuition funding or an acceptable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Evidence of genuine study intentions.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for outward travel or an onward ticket.
• Any required health and character documentation.

For tertiary study, the current living-fund requirement is:

• NZD $20,000 for each year of study if studying for one year or more; or
• NZD $1,667 per month if the study period is shorter than one year.