Develop the skills and knowledge needed in the Health and Wellbeing community with the New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Practice and Applied Practice) (Level 5).
This programme is ideal for newcomers to the industry, seasoned professionals already working in the Health and Wellbeing sector, and those looking for professional development opportunities.
One year full-time or two years part-time
2027 Semester 1: 03 February to 17 November
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
International Fees can be found here.
The New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Practice/Applied Practice) (Level 5) prepares learners for a rewarding career supporting the health and wellbeing of individuals, whānau, and communities across a range of health and social service settings. The programme combines theory, practical skills, cultural understanding, professional practice, and applied workplace learning, including a minimum of 200 hours of supervised practice experience.
Students will develop skills in:
Mature applicants aged 20 years or over are encouraged to apply.
The programme consists of eight courses that build professional capability, cultural competence, practical workplace skills, and evidence-informed practice:
HW5.112 Skills for Professional PracticeDevelop professional communication, relationship-building, cultural responsiveness, ethical practice, legislation awareness, and health and safety knowledge required in health and wellbeing settings.
HW5.122 Navigating Community Wellbeing and EquityExplore health and social policy, community wellbeing, equity, stigma and discrimination, and how to connect people with appropriate services and support networks.
HW5.132 Theory for PracticeExamine health and wellbeing theories, recovery models, intervention approaches, wellness planning, and evidence-based practices that support individuals and whānau.
HW5.142 Applied Practice 1Apply learning in a workplace or practicum setting while developing communication, advocacy, relationship-building, reflective practice, and professional development skills.
HW5.252 Te Ao Hauora Māori (Māori Perspectives and Approaches)Gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori, tikanga, hauora models, cultural safety, and approaches that support meaningful engagement with Māori individuals, whānau, and communities.
HW5.262 Integrating Evidence in Health PracticeLearn to evaluate research, apply evidence-informed practice, address workplace challenges, and implement inclusive health and wellbeing interventions.
HW5.272 Professional Practice, Ethics, and LeadershipDevelop professional identity, reflective practice, ethical decision-making, leadership, collaboration, and multidisciplinary teamwork skills.
HW5.282 Applied Practice 2Integrate workplace experience, cultural understanding, evidence-based practice, leadership, and ethical decision-making to support positive outcomes for service users and their whānau.
Graduates may pursue roles in:
Employees and volunteers may be required to undergo ongoing checks to ensure they are a fit and proper person to provide support in the health and wellbeing sectors.
Mature, aged applicants (17 years of age or over) preferred.
All applicants must have achieved NCEA Level 2, or provide evidence of achievement at an equivalent level, or any approved qualification at Level 3 or above on the NZQF.
All applicants are required to:
If the declaration identifies any issue that may impact on the student’s ability to complete the programme, the student can discuss this with the Programme Coordinator at an information session. SIT reserves the right to decline entry to the programme should an applicant’s police record be such that they would be considered unsuitable for the type of work to be undertaken whilst on this programme or by graduates of this programme. The guidelines on which this decision will be based are the relevant professional association or industry requirements.
English Language Requirements
Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following
NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or
an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or
Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or
Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or
Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment
IELTS test - Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE) TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests NZCEL - Level 4 (General) or (Employment) Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36 Language Cert - B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) HIGH PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than merit in any band
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Practice/Applied Practice) (Level 5) and be awarded the qualification, the student must successfully achieve a minimum of 120 credits in accordance with the programme schedule for the New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Practice/Applied Practice) (Level 5) qualification full-time over one year or part-time over two years.
(Please note: students failing to attend for 80% of timetabled programme hours may forfeit zero fees entitlement).