New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Practice and Applied Practice) (Level 5)

New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Practice and Applied Practice) (Level 5)

New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Practice and Applied Practice) (Level 5)

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. 

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Key Details
Invercargill
Qualification:
Diploma
Level:
5
Credits:
120
Duration:

One year full-time or two years part-time

Study Modes:
On Campus
Dates:

2026 Semester 1: 04 February to 18 November
Fees:

This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.

  • No Tuition Fees
  • Direct Material Costs: $853.00 (GST inclusive).
  • The SIT Zero Fees Scheme (ZFS) is subject to NZ government policies

International Fees can be found here.

The New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Practice and Applied Practice) (Level 5) will teach you the skills needed to support the health and wellbeing of those in the community from diverse backgrounds and in different situations. 

You will learn:

  • Rapport and Relationships
  • Mental Health and Addiction Issues and Recovery
  • Support and Interventions
  • Māori Perspectives and Approaches
  • Professional Practice
  • Learning in the Workplace

Graduates of the Applied Practice context will meet the qualification outcomes in a programme which includes a pertinent practicum of more than 200 hours.

The Health and Wellbeing community of New Zealand will benefit from having graduates with the skills and knowledge required across a range of vocations and disciplines, to support people to achieve their health and wellbeing aspirations.

*Mature aged applicants 20 years of age or over preferred.

HWD 501 Building Rapport and Relationships/Te Hapai Whanaungatanga

To extend and consolidate learners’ skills for engaging and communicating effectively with service users (and their whanau/natural supports) alongside development of learners own self-awarenes.

HWD 502 Health, Community and Sustainability - Te Oranga Hapori

To explore:
Mental Health and Addiction related issues within the wider context of individual and community wellbeing. (NZ, regional, and community/social contexts) with a focus on social issues & social policy and sustainable practice, availability and accessibility of community support networks and resources, and other factors that influence the wellbeing and safety of service users and their whanau.

HWD 503 Recovery: Mental health and addiction issues - Take Mate Hinengaro, Take Mate Tarukino)

To examine the principles and practices, models and theories that underpin mental health and addictions work, and that support recovery.

HWD 504 Reflecting on Practicum Experience - He Whakaaroaro ki nga Wheako Wahi Mahi

To reflect on the application of knowledge, strategies and skills in workplace setting. With a focus on engagement with people and their whanau and identification of support and intervention needs.

HWD 505 He Tirohanga Ao Māori - Integrating Māori Perspectives and Approaches

To explore and engage with key concepts from a Te Ao Māori world-view, especially as they apply to hauora/health and wellbeing.

HWD 506 Extending knowledge and resources - He Whakawhanui i te Puna Rauemi

To explore a wider range of Western and Non-western theoretical models and intervention strategies used within the mental health and addictions sectors.

HWD 507 Professional Practice, Ethics and Leadership - Nga Tikanga Umanga

To develop a robust understanding of the requirements for professional practice in mental health and addiction settings, including ethical, safety and legal issues and effective communication and collaboration with colleagues, service users and other.

HWD 508 Application of Learning in The Workplace - He Kuhunga ki te Ao Wahi Maki

Application and consolidation of learners’ knowledge, strategies and role-specific skills (in a workplace/practicum placement setting).

Working with people and their whanau to foster hope, build resilience, support autonomy and recovery.

Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge required to work in vocational roles, disciplines or contexts such as: Consumer Advocacy, Disability Practice, Navigation/ Navigator, Social Services, Counselling, Iwi Services, Mental Health Support, Youth Work in a range of settings such as non-governmental organisations, justice/corrections, social services, residential and community.
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 (20 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:

  • Attend an information session with a member of the academic staff and successfully demonstrate the ability to write at the equivalent of NZQA Level 3 at a minimum
  • Provide the names/details of two referees
  • Sign a declaration and a request for personal information held on the police database

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 - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (General) or (Workplace) b) 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

* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current

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).

 

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