This Level 4 certificate is designed for students who want to enter the health and wellbeing, disability support, mental health or addiction-support sectors in New Zealand.

Key benefits include:

• Practical preparation for entry-level health and community-support roles.
• Choice between Disability Support and Mental Health and Addiction Support.
• 200+ hours of practical work placement in a healthcare or community setting.
• Development of person-centred and culturally responsive support skills.
• Learning about Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao M?ori principles in the New Zealand health context.
• Training in communication, advocacy, leadership, professionalism, safety and quality.
• Exposure to rehabilitation, health equity, new technologies and current support practices.
• Practical experience that helps students understand real workplace responsibilities.
• Further-study pathways into Level 5 and Level 6 health-related qualifications.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme contains seven courses totalling 120 credits.

The current detailed NZSE programme page displays the Disability Support strand as follows:

1. HLTH 4011 – Effective Communication and Engagement

Students develop communication and engagement skills for supporting individuals and families in social-support settings, with emphasis on culturally sensitive, cross-cultural and person-centred communication.

2. HLTH 4012 – Cultural Competency in the Context of Maori Wellbeing

Students explore Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Maori cultural principles and their relevance to health disparities and wellbeing in New Zealand.

3. HLTH 4013 – Personal Leadership and Reflective Practice in Healthcare

Topics include leadership styles, teamwork, communication, reflective practice and the four dimensions of Hauora Maori.

4. HLTH 4014 – Professionalism, Safety, and Quality in Healthcare

Covers professionalism, healthcare ethics, codes of practice, whanau collaboration, safety and regulatory/quality standards.

5. HLTH 4018 – Introduction to Disability Support in Aotearoa/NZ

Introduces disability support services and the role and responsibilities of support workers in New Zealand.

6. HLTH 4019 – Disability Support Workers

Covers rehabilitation, health equity, new technologies and good practice in disability-support environments.

7. HLTH 4020 – Disability Support – Practicum

Provides practical workplace experience in disability support, including professionalism, communication and autonomy-enhancing approaches.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Students choose one of two strands:

1. Disability Support

This focuses on supporting people with disabilities and developing skills in person-centred care, rehabilitation, communication, advocacy, independence and community support.

2. Mental Health and Addiction Support

This focuses on supporting people experiencing mental-health and addiction-related challenges, including communication, advocacy, wellbeing, practical support and culturally responsive practice.

Programme Highlights

• NZQCF Level 4 qualification.
• 120 credits.
• Approximately one academic year.
• 40 weeks including holidays according to the current programme page.
• 200+ hours of work placement.
• New Lynn and Hamilton campus options.
• Online nationwide option.
• Disability Support strand.
• Mental Health and Addiction Support strand.
• Person-centred healthcare and support training.
• Maori cultural competency.
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Maori content.
• Professionalism, safety and quality training.
• Practical work experience.
• NZQA-certified qualification.
• Live classes and practical/project-based learning are highlighted by NZSE.
• Further-study pathways into Level 5 Public Health and Health Promotion, Level 6 Addiction Studies and higher-level health and wellbeing study.

Career Outcomes

NZSE states that graduates can be prepared for roles such as:

• Residential Support Worker
• Addiction Programme Facilitator
• Day Programme Facilitator
• Disability Information Consultant
• Case Worker.

Depending on the strand and employer requirements, graduates may work in:

• Disability-support organisations
• Mental-health facilities
• Addiction-support organisations
• Community-support services
• Residential support settings
• Other health and wellbeing services.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current 2026 information confirms that this programme is available to international students and has both Disability Support and Mental Health and Addiction Support strands.

The most important practical requirement is the work placement:

• 200+ hours of work placement are required.
• The placement takes place in a healthcare or community setting.
• Students gain supervised practical experience relevant to their chosen strand.

International Student Visa Requirements

An international student who wants to study this programme in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa, unless another appropriate visa category applies.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires students to have:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Enough money to pay tuition fees, or an acceptable scholarship.
• Enough money for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Good health and character where applicable.
• Genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand to study.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.

The current Fee Paying Student Visa:

• Costs from NZD 850.
• Can allow study for up to 4 years, depending on the circumstances.
• May allow work up to 25 hours per week while studying and full-time during eligible holidays, depending on the conditions on the student's visa.

For tertiary study, Immigration New Zealand currently requires evidence of:

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