How to apply to join the AOD report writer panel

Background 

If you are an AOD practitioner who wants to join the panel and you meet the criteria below, you can apply through our Request for Applications (RFA) process at any time. The first RFA round closed on 7 April 2026 and we are currently processing applications received. Applications received after 7 April 2026, will be processed from July 2026.

Application criteria

You need to meet the following criteria for your application to be accepted:

• hold a current applied or non-applied addiction qualification recognised by DAPAANZ (Addiction Practitioners Association Aotearoa New Zealand)
• be registered with one of the following organisations:
   
  • Addiction Practitioners Association Aotearoa New Zealand (DAPAANZ) https://dapaanz.org.nz/membership/registration-criteria-qualifications/(external link)
  • New Zealand Psychologists Board
  •  Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and the New Zealand Medical Council
  • Social Workers Registration Board New Zealand
  • Nursing Council
• have at least two years’ experience in the AOD sector
• have no current criminal proceedings or unpaid fines
• have completed, or will commit to completing within 12 months, the Family Violence Sexual Violence Response Training offered by the Ministry of Justice to all people who work in the courts 
• be located in one of the locations listed in the RFA form or be able to conduct assessments virtually
• meet one of the Ministry’s economic benefit priorities as listed in the RFA form (form linked below)
• be able to meet the Ministry’s requirements for management of personal information and data management and security as detailed in the Standard Terms and Conditions.

What to include in your application 

You must include the following documents in your application:

• a completed Approved AOD Report Writers Request for Application (RFA) form [DOCX, 119 KB](external link)
• a copy of your annual practicing certificate (APC)
• a creditor form [PDF, 192 KB](external link) (if you are not yet registered with the Ministry)
• a criminal conviction history check no older than three months (available free from Get your own criminal record(external link)(external link) - this can take up to 10 working days).

The RFA terms and conditions can be found here: Request for Application (RFA) terms and conditions [PDF, 134 KB](external link)

The Ministry will evaluate your application against the RFA criteria (stated above). 

If we find you meet the criteria, we will send you a letter offering you a place in the service with the Standard Terms and Conditions attached. You can accept the offer by signing and returning the Standard Terms and Conditions.

Submit your application by sending the following documents to AODreports@justice.govt.nz

Standard terms and conditions

The Standard Terms and Conditions for AOD report writers outline what criteria you need to meet to become an approved AOD report writer, the RFA process, how reports are requested and the fixed rate for a report.

This includes:

• The fixed rate you can charge for each completed report ordered by a judge or requested by a lawyer. This is set at $900 (excluding GST).
• Details of travel and other costs. The fixed rate includes local travel costs. You may charge non-local travel costs (for example if a virtual assessment is not possible, or appropriate) with pre-approval from the party requesting the report.

AOD Standard Terms and Conditions [PDF, 329 KB](external link)

Family Violence Sexual Violence (FVSV) Response Training

The Ministry provides Family Violence Sexual Violence Response Training to all people who work in the courts. It is delivered by specialist community organisations at district courts around the country.

The training consists of two pre-learning modules and one full day of face-to-face training. The Ministry will cover the cost of the training but will not reimburse you for the time you take to complete the training.

You must have completed this training when you submit you RFA or do so within 12 months of joining the service.

You can do the training at a district court near you. Book your training by contacting FVSVTraining@2shine.org.nz