Which Green List tier are speech language therapists on?

Tier 1. Under INZ Appendix 13 (9 March 2026), Speech Language Therapist (ANZSCO 252712) requires membership of the New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists' Association (NZSTA), after which Straight to Residence applies. The registration qualification is a bachelor's degree in speech and language therapy with Honours.

How does a Chinese SLT degree get NZSTA membership?

Via the Qualification Approval Process (QAP): an acceptable SLT qualification, at least one year of supervised clinical practice (36 weeks at 30+ hours per week), certified evidence of 1,000 practice hours within the last five years, dysphagia competency, a CPD record and police certificates. If the degree was not taught in English, or English is your second language, IELTS Academic 7.0 in every band is required. Processing takes about six weeks.

Which countries have mutual recognition with NZSTA?

NZSTA is a signatory to the Multilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement: ASHA (CCC-SLP, USA), SAC (Canada), RCSLT (Cert MRCSLT, UK), IASLT (Ireland) and Speech Pathology Australia (CPSP). Full members certified in a signatory country can apply directly. China is not a signatory: Chinese-trained applicants use the QAP.

What happens if I cannot demonstrate dysphagia competency?

You can still be granted membership, but with a not-dysphagia-trained condition on your scope of practice. That significantly narrows your job options in New Zealand, where most hospital roles require dysphagia skills.

What do speech language therapists earn in New Zealand?

The school system has a dedicated scale (PTCA 2026 settlement, from 2 April 2026): qualified SLTs start at NZ$78,725 (Step 1) rising to NZ$116,481 (Step 9): Step 1 already exceeds the NZ$72,800 median-wage annual line. Health NZ pays on the allied health collective agreements in a similar range.

Guides

Speech Language Therapists in NZ: Green List Tier 1, NZSTA Routes

Updated: 2026-08-09 · Data verified: 2026-08-09

Speech Language Therapists in New Zealand: The Complete Guide

Speech language therapy is a small but beautifully positioned Green List profession: Tier 1, sector-wide shortages, and a school pay scale that clears the immigration median wage at Step 1. Its peculiarity: SLT is not a statutorily registered profession in New Zealand: the Green List recognises professional association membership with the NZSTA.

Green List Position

Under INZ Appendix 13 (effective 9 March 2026), Speech Language Therapist (ANZSCO 252712) sits on Tier 1 (Straight to Residence). The requirement: membership of the New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists’ Association (NZSTA); the registration qualification column lists a bachelor’s degree in speech and language therapy with Honours. Membership plus a compliant offer means you can apply for residence directly.

Two Routes for Overseas Applicants

Route One: Mutual Recognition (MRA)

NZSTA is a signatory to the Multilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement. Full members or certificate holders of these bodies, trained in the signatory country, can apply for mutual recognition directly:

ASHA: CCC-SLP (USA)
SAC: S-LP(C) (Canada)
RCSLT: Cert MRCSLT (UK)
IASLT: Full Member (Ireland)
Speech Pathology Australia: CPSP

Twenty experienced SLTs arrived via the MRA in 2024 (NZSTA annual report). China is not a signatory, so Chinese-trained applicants take route two.

Route Two: The Qualification Approval Process (QAP)

The QAP’s hard requirements:

An acceptable speech-language therapy/pathology qualification at practice-entry level
At least one year of supervised clinical practice: 36+ weeks of paid full-time clinical work at 30+ hours per week
1,000 hours of SLT practice within the last five years (certified evidence)
Dysphagia competency; applicants who cannot demonstrate it may receive conditional membership (not-dysphagia trained), which narrows employment options sharply
A continuing professional development record
English: if the qualification was not taught in English, or English is your second language: IELTS Academic 7.0 in all four bands (no band exemptions; in force since 2023)
Police certificates from every country lived in for 12+ months over the last decade

Processing runs about six weeks; incomplete applications are returned. After approval, new entrants complete roughly a year of supervised practice under the New Graduate Framework before full Registered Member status.

Jobs and Salaries

Two main employer groups: the education sector (Ministry of Education and schools, learning support) and Health NZ (dysphagia, neuro-rehabilitation, paediatrics). Salaries:

Dedicated school SLT scale (PTCA 2026 settlement, from 2 April 2026): qualified SLTs run NZ$78,725 (Step 1) to NZ$116,481 (Step 9)
Health NZ: allied health collective agreements, in the same NZ$79k–119k core band as OT/PT

Both starting points clear the NZ$35.00/hour (about NZ$72,800/year) immigration median wage: SLT has one of the friendliest pay structures among the allied health professions.

Common Misconceptions

“SLTs register with a statutory board like nurses”: No. The profession is self-regulated in New Zealand; the Green List recognises NZSTA membership, and there is no statutory registration board.
“IELTS 6.5 is enough”: It is not. The QAP requires 7.0 in every band (for non-English-taught degrees or second-language applicants). It is the most common failure point.
“New graduates can apply without the 1,000 hours”: The QAP requires 1,000 practice hours within five years. Fresh graduates should instead study an NZSTA-accredited programme in New Zealand (e.g. the University of Auckland or University of Canterbury master’s degrees) and enter via the New Graduate Framework.
“Dysphagia is a nice-to-have”: Effectively essential. Most hospital roles require it, and conditional membership restricts where you can work.

Green List Checker: the requirement text for 252712
Salary Tax Calculator: take-home pay on NZ$79k
SMC Points Calculator: compare Green List vs SMC routes

Frequently asked questions

Which Green List tier are speech language therapists on?: Tier 1. Under INZ Appendix 13 (9 March 2026), Speech Language Therapist (ANZSCO 252712) requires membership of the New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists' Association (NZSTA), after which Straight to Residence applies. The registration qualification is a bachelor's degree in speech and language therapy with Honours.
How does a Chinese SLT degree get NZSTA membership?: Via the Qualification Approval Process (QAP): an acceptable SLT qualification, at least one year of supervised clinical practice (36 weeks at 30+ hours per week), certified evidence of 1,000 practice hours within the last five years, dysphagia competency, a CPD record and police certificates. If the degree was not taught in English, or English is your second language, IELTS Academic 7.0 in every band is required. Processing takes about six weeks.
Which countries have mutual recognition with NZSTA?: NZSTA is a signatory to the Multilateral Mutual Recognition Agreement: ASHA (CCC-SLP, USA), SAC (Canada), RCSLT (Cert MRCSLT, UK), IASLT (Ireland) and Speech Pathology Australia (CPSP). Full members certified in a signatory country can apply directly. China is not a signatory: Chinese-trained applicants use the QAP.
What happens if I cannot demonstrate dysphagia competency?: You can still be granted membership, but with a not-dysphagia-trained condition on your scope of practice. That significantly narrows your job options in New Zealand, where most hospital roles require dysphagia skills.
What do speech language therapists earn in New Zealand?: The school system has a dedicated scale (PTCA 2026 settlement, from 2 April 2026): qualified SLTs start at NZ$78,725 (Step 1) rising to NZ$116,481 (Step 9): Step 1 already exceeds the NZ$72,800 median-wage annual line. Health NZ pays on the allied health collective agreements in a similar range.

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