Information on the Operation of Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition in New Zealand.
Background
In August 1997 the New Zealand Parliament enacted the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA). This Act came into force by Order-in-Council on 1 May 1998. It recognises the regulatory standards adopted in Australia regarding goods and occupations.
Occupations
Under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act:
- a person who is registered to practise an occupation under a law of an Australian participating State will be entitled to practise an equivalent occupation under the law of New Zealand, and
- a person who is registered to practise an occupation under a law of New Zealand will be entitled to practise an equivalent occupation under the law of an Australian participating State.
Application for Registration
Trans-Tasman recognition provides an alternative avenue for obtaining registration in New Zealand under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act. Applicants have the choice of applying for registration under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act or under the Health Practicioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act).
Application for registration forms are available from the Board and here on the website. A different form is used for registration under Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition and under the HPCA Act.
If you are registered to practise optometry or optical dispensing or an equivalent occupation in a participating Australian jurisdiction, you are entitled to seek registration in the equivalent occupation in New Zealand under Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition. This right is exercised by giving a written notice in the form of a statutory declaration, paying the application fee, providing evidence of entitlement to practise your occupation by supplying a current practising certificate/licence or other document evidencing current entitlement to practise optometry or optical dispensing.
Optometry and Optical Dispensing
Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians remain accountable for acting with appropriate professionalism as required by the statutes of each jurisdiction. In New Zealand the practice of optometry or optical dispensing is governed by the HPCA Act. If the Board grants you registration you will be sent an annual practising certification application form. All registered optometrists and dispensing opticians are required by law to hold a current APC (or Interim PC) to practise optometry or optical dispensing in New Zealand.
Application Process under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act
Within one month of your written notice, details, and fee being received by the Optometrist and Dispensing Opticians Board, your application for registration under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act will either be granted, postponed, or refused.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted by the Board. Payment of the application fee in New Zealand dollars must accompany every application.
The Board will contact the Registrar of each State Registration Board you have been registered with to make enquiries as to your good standing within that jurisdiction.
The Board may postpone or refuse the grant of registration if:
- Any of the statements or information in the notice required by section 19 are materially false or misleading; or
- Any document or information required by section 19 is materially false or misleading; or
- Any document required by section 19 has not been provided; or
- The Board determines that the occupation in which registration is sought is not an equivalent occupation, and that equivalence cannot be achieved by the imposition of conditions; or
- The circumstances of the applicant have materially changed since the date of the notice or the date it was given.
Pending a Board decision on your application for registration, you are deemed to be registered and are entitled to practise optometry or optical dispensing in New Zealand. The Board may impose conditions on deemed registration to match conditions that apply to your registration in an Australian jurisdiction. The Board may also impose conditions on registration.
Deemed registrants will be notified of the Board's decision within one month of their completed application being lodged with the Board and commencement of deemed registration. There is a right of review of any Board decision to impose conditions on any applicant for registration.
Once granted, registration takes effect as if it had been granted immediately on the giving of the written notice.
Please contact the Registrar of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board if you have any questions.
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