The rule for nurses in New Zealand
The Nursing Council of New Zealand permits results across sittings within twelve months of the first test, using the same English test. Its nursing scores should not be confused with immigration requirements. The regulator data records a separate INZ change from 13 July 2026 requiring all four sub-tests in person at a supervised venue for immigration applications. A venue computer test with remote Speaking can consequently need a separate immigration check even when it satisfies the nursing regulator’s delivery rule.
| Requirement | Nursing Council of New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Listening | 350 (B) |
| Reading | 350 (B) |
| Writing | 300 (C+) |
| Speaking | 350 (B) |
| One sitting / combining | Allowed: you can meet the lines across sittings taken within 12 months of your first test, using the same test (OET with OET). NCNZ's minimum score per sitting, if any, wasn't confirmed: check before relying on it. |
| Validity | Not confirmed: check NCNZ's FAQ. |
| OET@Home accepted? | Fully online OET@Home isn't accepted. Computer tests at a venue (with the Speaking part online) are. |
| Profession version | Take the Nursing version. |
Last checked 21 Oct 2026. Official rule ↗
What to aim for in practice
Begin by deciding whether your evidence is for NCNZ alone or also for an immigration application. Then plan Nursing practice around B in Listening, Reading and Speaking and C+ in Writing. On a role-play about a patient returning home, make the care plan understandable and check that the patient can explain it back. Use the Listening answer explanations to find errors caused by corrected dates and doses.
| Skill | Official component target / floor | OETAce conservative practice guide |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 350 (B) | 32/42 gives an estimated 350–370 |
| Reading | 350 (B) | 32/42 gives an estimated 350–370 |
These raw-mark ranges use the same estimate as our test marker. They are a study aid, not an official OET conversion or registration decision. Part A alone cannot predict a score for a full 42-question test. Review Writing and Speaking feedback separately.
Matching Nursing practice
Nursing guide and sample tasks · Nurses role-play cards · Sample letter task
Speaking cards
- Post-operative pain management Surgical ward
- Community visit: patient removing compression bandages Patient's home (community nursing visit)
- Bronchiolitis: father wants antibiotics and to take his baby home Paediatric ward
Writing case notes
- Discharge to the community nursing service: new insulin and diabetic foot ulcer discharge letter
- Transfer to residential aged care after a stroke: dysphagia and pressure injury transfer letter
- Referral to pulmonary rehabilitation after a COPD admission referral letter
Free full Listening test · Free Reading Part A · Practice plans and prices
Questions candidates ask
What OET score do nurses need in New Zealand?
The Nursing Council of New Zealand needs 350 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 300 in Writing; results from sittings within 12 months of your first test can be combined, and fully online OET@Home isn't accepted.
Can nurses combine OET sittings for New Zealand?
Allowed: you can meet the lines across sittings taken within 12 months of your first test, using the same test (OET with OET). NCNZ's minimum score per sitting, if any, wasn't confirmed: check before relying on it.
How long are OET results valid for nurses in New Zealand?
Not confirmed: check NCNZ's FAQ.
Other destinations for nurses: Australia, UK, Ireland, US, Canada, UAE, Malta.
Sources
- NCNZ: English language FAQ
- NCNZ: English language competency policy refresh (2022)
- INZ: Update on English language testing (29 June 2026)
Last checked 21 Oct 2026. Rules and prices change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
OETAce is an independent practice site. OET is a registered trademark of Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment (CBLA); we are not affiliated with or endorsed by CBLA. All practice material here is original.