It is designed for international learners who want to begin or develop a career supporting people, family, whanau and communities in health and wellbeing settings.
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4)
Develop the practical knowledge, communication skills and cultural capability to work alongside people, family and whanau in New Zealand's health and wellbeing sector. Choose a pathway in Community Health Work or Mental Health and Addiction Support.
- On campus
Next intake: 26 October 2026
About the programme
Build the skills to support people, whanau and communities.
This programme is designed for people already working in healthcare and for those who want to begin a career supporting the health and wellbeing of people, family, whanau and the wider community.
Develop communication, cultural safety, reflective practice, leadership and evidence-based support skills. You will learn to work respectfully with diverse communities and apply your knowledge through supervised workplace practice.
Choose your specialist pathway
Study core health and wellbeing modules, then build specialist capability through either the Community Health Work strand or the Mental Health and Addiction Support strand.
Entry requirements
For international learners ready for practical health and wellbeing study.
This programme is designed for international learners who want to begin or develop a career supporting people, whānau and communities. Applicants must be able to meet the English-language, visa and workplace-placement requirements.
- 1
Be at least 18 years old.
- 2
Have IELTS Academic 5.5, with no band below 5.0, or meet another approved NZQA English-language requirement for Level 4 study.
- 3
Meet Immigration New Zealand visa requirements.
- 4
Be able to participate in practical workplace learning.
- 5
Meet initial and ongoing fit-and-proper requirements for placement.
- 6
Placement checks may include police vetting, drug and alcohol testing, references, Children’s Act checks and other requirements relevant to the placement provider.
How it works
What makes this programme effective?
Build practical skills for meaningful healthcare work
Develop culturally responsive, professional skills through specialist learning and practical workplace experience.
Specialist pathways
Choose Community Health Work or Mental Health and Addiction Support.
Culturally responsive communication
Build respectful communication skills guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori values.
Professional practice
Develop self-awareness, leadership, safety and professional judgement.
Workplace learning
Complete 320 hours of placement in health and wellbeing settings.
The programme
Develop core capability, then apply it in your chosen strand.
The programme includes five theory-focused modules followed by two workplace-practice modules. Modules 5 and 7 differ according to whether you select the Community Health Work or Mental Health and Addiction Support strand.
Understand the objectives, strategies and purposes of New Zealand’s health and wellbeing sectors, including Māori, Pacific and disability health strategies.
Develop multidisciplinary communication skills, approaches to difficult conversations and ways to create safe and inclusive environments.
Explore Māori values, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, bicultural practice, cultural awareness, cultural competency and cultural safety.
Use reflection and critical thinking while applying professionalism, ethics, personal leadership, self-care, safety and quality principles.
Learn about common chronic health conditions, holistic wellbeing, relevant policies and community and aged-care support models.
Learn about mental-health conditions, addiction, protective and risk factors, recovery approaches and culturally responsive support models.
Apply cultural-diversity knowledge and evidence-based support practices through supervised workplace learning.
Apply community-health tools and strategies that support autonomy and self-determination alongside people and whānau.
Apply mental-health and addiction support strategies that foster hope, autonomy and resilience alongside tangata whaiora and whānau.
Learners complete either the Community Health Work route—Modules 5A and 7A—or the Mental Health and Addiction Support route—Modules 5B and 7B. They do not complete both strands.
Your pathway
Build your pathway in health and wellbeing.
Graduate with the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) in your chosen strand, preparing you for employment in community support services or further health and wellbeing study.
Qualification
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4)
Awarded with the learner’s completed strand.
Community Health Work pathway
Potential roles include health or wellbeing field officer, health coach, community health worker and community support worker.
Mental Health and Addiction Support pathway
Potential roles include mental-health and addiction support worker, addiction programme facilitator, day programme facilitator, caregiver and residential support worker.
Further study
Possible progression includes the New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Practice/Applied Practice) (Level 5) or related study, subject to entry requirements.
Questions
Health and Wellbeing Level 4 FAQs
Who is this programme designed for?
Which strand can I study?
The programme includes Community Health Work and Mental Health and Addiction Support pathways. Confirm the strand available at your preferred campus before applying.
Where can I study?
The international programme is planned for Auckland and Dunedin.
What English level do I need?
You need IELTS Academic 5.5 with no band below 5.0, or another approved form of English-language evidence that meets current NZQA requirements.
How long does the programme take?
The on-campus programme includes 35 teaching weeks and 40 weeks in total, including holiday weeks.
How many credits is the qualification?
The qualification is worth 120 credits.
Does the programme include work placement?
Yes. Modules 6 and 7 include a combined 320 hours of supervised work placement in relevant health and wellbeing settings.
Do I need police or other checks?
Yes. Placement may require police vetting, references, drug and alcohol testing, Children's Act checks and other checks relevant to the setting.
What will I learn?
You will study New Zealand's health and wellbeing sectors, communication, cultural safety, reflective professional practice and evidence-based support in your chosen strand.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment may include written work, presentations, projects, portfolios and workplace verification.
What qualification will I receive?
After successfully completing the programme, you will receive the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) with your completed strand.
Can I work while studying?
Your work rights depend on your student visa conditions. Check your eVisa and current Immigration New Zealand requirements before working.
Does the programme guarantee a job or visa?
No. Completing the programme does not guarantee employment, a particular placement, earnings, a post-study work visa or residence.
How do I apply?
Register your interest or contact the Skills Institute International Team. We will explain the application process and the English-language, placement and visa-related evidence you need to provide.