Health & Wellbeing (Applied Practice)

Level 5120 CreditsOn Campus37 weeksNZ Certificate

Level 5120 Credits40 weeksNZ Certificate

Transform your healthcare passion into advanced practice

The New Zealand Diploma in in Health and Wellbeing (Applied Practice) equips you with the critical thinking skills and evidence-based practices needed to lead positive change in New Zealand's health and wellbeing sector.

This Level 5 qualification goes beyond basic care - preparing you to apply Māori health models, assess complex health conditions, support people with dementia and continuously improve your professional practice through reflection and cultural competency.

Whether you're staircasing from Level 4 or bringing healthcare experience from overseas, this diploma positions you as a skilled practitioner who can work independently or in supervised settings across diverse healthcare environments.

With our campus based offering you will experience hands-on learning through classroom case studies, group discussions, roleplaying scenarios, interactive workshops and cultural immersion activities. Benefit from guest speakers and video resources while building connections with peers and tutors.

Who can enrol:

This programme welcomes both domestic and international students who meet the entry requirements.

Domestic students:

must be at least 18 years old
hold a Certificate in Health and Wellbeing at Level 3 or higher (or have appropriate related work experience)
have completed NZ Year 12 secondary schooling or equivalent

International students:

must be 18 years or older
have achieved an IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 within the preceding
two years (or met NZQA's English language requirements for Level 5 study)
hold a New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) or an equivalent qualification or experience in the health and wellbeing sectors.

This programme is ideal for

level 4 graduates ready to advance your healthcare career with deeper knowledge and critical thinking skills
international students with healthcare qualifications from outside New Zealand seeking NZ-recognized credentials and improved visa prospects
working healthcare professionals wanting to formalize your experience with a recognized qualification
career changers with overseas degrees looking to enter New Zealand's growing healthcare sector
support workers seeking to lead workplace improvements and drive better health outcomes

What does this healthcare course cover?

This 120-credit diploma comprises of seven comprehensive modules designed to develop you into a critically reflective healthcare practitioner:

New Zealand Health System and Population Health Determinants
Māori Health Models and Cultural Competency in Healthcare Practice
Health Conditions in Aged Care: Assessment and Support Planning
Evidence-Based Support Practices in Aged Care
Dementia Care: Understanding and Support Strategies
Professional Development through Reflective Practice
Clinical Placement: Applied Healthcare Support Practice Delivery

Industry information

Level 5 qualified healthcare practitioners are the critical thinkers and change leaders our health system needs, applying evidence-based practices and Māori health models across aged care, disability support, mental health and social services. Because people will always need skilled, culturally responsive care that technology cannot replicate, advanced healthcare practice represents one of the most future-proof professions available.

A profession in critical demand

With an estimated shortage of 16,400 workers needed across healthcare, aged care, community and disability sectors, plus a projected gap of 12,000 residential care beds within eight years, New Zealand urgently needs practitioners who can work independently or in supervised settings with advanced assessment and support planning capabilities.

Career progression and professional recognition

Due to New Zealand's aging population and the increasing complexity of care required for dementia and end-of-life services, job prospects for Level 5 qualified practitioners remain exceptionally strong.

Level 5 graduates progress into specialized roles including Healthcare Assistant (senior), Support Worker (complex care), Health Navigator, Disability Practice Specialist, Mental Health Support Worker, Youth Worker, Consumer Advocate and Social Services Practitioner across NGOs, iwi services, justice/corrections and residential and community settings.

Health & Wellbeing (Applied Practice) course FAQs

Common questions about our Health & Wellbeing (Applied Practice) course, answered.

I completed Level 4 - is this the right next step?

Absolutely. Level 5 is the natural progression, developing your critical thinking and evidence-based practice skills. Many employers prefer Level 5 qualifications for senior support worker roles.

I have healthcare qualifications from overseas - can I enrol?

Yes, if you meet the Level 3 equivalent requirement or have relevant work experience. International students need IELTS 5.5 (no band lower than 5) and must meet visa requirements.

Will I need to do a clinical placement?

Yes, Module 7 requires applied practice in healthcare settings. Online learners typically complete this at their workplace (with employer approval), while on-campus learners are placed in healthcare facilities.

Can I progress to university after this diploma?

Yes, graduates may progress to higher-level qualifications in health and wellbeing, potentially including degree programmes depending on your grades and the university's entry requirements.