Who can get public health care
Most people who have resident visas and live in New Zealand can get publicly funded health care. Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora has information on who is eligible and what services are covered.
When health care is funded
For most people with resident visas who live in New Zealand, health care and disability services are funded.
The Ministry of Health decides who is eligible for publicly funded health care. If you qualify, you do not have to pay for these services in New Zealand.
Check the Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora website to find out:
- if you can get publicly funded health care
- if you are eligible for full health care or only limited services
- what you need to prove you are eligible.
Guide to eligibility for public health services — Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora
Eligibility for a limited range of publicly funded health services — Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora
Funded services
Services that are fully funded, or provided at a reduced cost, include:
- subsidised primary health care — for example, doctor's visits
- subsidies on prescribed medicines
- free public hospital services
- support services, if you have disabilities.
If you are not eligible for publicly funded health care, you can still use these services. However, you will normally need to pay for them.
Find out more about publicly funded health and disability services on the Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora website.
Publicly funded health and disability services — Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora
Proving you are eligible
If you are eligible for publicly funded health care, you will need to show your health care provider proof of this when you visit, for example your e-Visa letter. If you do not have any proof, you may have to pay.
Check the Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora website for what you will need to show to your health care provider.
Guide to eligibility for public health services — Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora
When you must pay for health care
In general, people who have temporary visas to visit, study and work in New Zealand cannot get publicly funded health care in New Zealand.
Note
Check the conditions of the visa you are applying for to see if you are eligible.
If you do not qualify for publicly funded health care and services, you, or your sponsor if you have one, must pay for any health care or medical assistance you may need in New Zealand.
We strongly recommend that people travelling to New Zealand, especially those who are not eligible for publicly funded health care, have comprehensive travel insurance, including full health insurance.
Alert
If you want to take out health insurance in New Zealand, you may need to provide proof that you are eligible for subsidised public health care.
Private health care and insurance
You can also get private health care in New Zealand.
Sometimes you may have to wait to be treated under the public health system because of high demand. If you want more control over when and where you are treated, and by whom, you can pay for private care.
Insurance plans offer a range of options to cover the cost of private health care. You can decide how much cover you want and the types of services you want to be covered for.
There may be health insurance plans available for people on specific visas, such as international students or seasonal workers.
Applying for a student visa or working holiday visa
You must provide evidence that you have health insurance when applying for a Fee-paying Student Visa and some working holiday visas.
Check the information for your country's working holiday visa to find out about the health insurance you will need.
If you are pregnant
If you are pregnant, you must be able to cover the costs of your maternity care if you:
- have a temporary visa to visit, study or work in New Zealand
- cannot get publicly funded health care, and
- will be here during your pregnancy or for the birth.
If you are injured in an accident
If you are injured in an accident while you are in New Zealand, the Accident Compensation Scheme (ACC) will usually cover most of the costs of treatment and rehabilitation for residents as well as visitors on a temporary visa.
ACC helps pay for costs to get you back to living as normally as possible. This may include payment towards medical bills, treatment, help at home and work, and help with your income.
Your doctor or health provider will make an ACC claim for you. ACC must accept the claim before it will contribute to funding.
ACC is funded by levies paid by employers, employees, and the self-employed — if you are working in New Zealand, you will contribute to it.
Check ACC's website for more information about what is and is not covered, and what happens if you get injured. Guides in Cook Island Māori, Tongan, Samoan, Korean, Chinese and Hindi are also available on the website.
What to do if you are injured — ACC
If you are a visitor injured in New Zealand — ACC
Doctors' fees
Family doctors (called general practitioners or 'GPs' in New Zealand) set their own fees. Check how much you will pay with the practice directly.
You will pay reduced doctors' fees if you enrol with a practice.
You can only enrol if you are eligible for publicly funded health care services.
Most practices offer free doctor visits for children under 14 years. Some practices offer cheaper visits for people who meet certain conditions, such as Community Card holders. Find out more on the Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora website.
General practices — Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora
Medicine costs
If you are eligible for publicly funded health care, you will need to pay only part of the cost of prescribed medicines listed by the Pharmaceutical Managment Agency (PHARMAC).
Medicines are usually free for children under 14 years.
You can find more information about medicine costs on the Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora website.
Possible prescription costs — Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora
Dental care costs
You must pay privately for most dental services. Costs can vary, so it is a good idea to compare fees between different dentists.
If you need dental treatment because of an accident or injury, ACC will help with the cost.
Dental care is free for eligible children up to 18 years. This free care is not available through every dental practice — check with your dentist or contact Talk Teeth.
Talk Teeth: 0800 825 583
You can find out more about dental care costs on the Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora website.
Dental care — Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora
Living with HIV
If you are living with HIV, it is important to know that treatment is available at no cost, irrespective of your immigration status. The Burnett Foundation Aotearoa is committed to providing services for people living with HIV.
Information for people living with HIV migrating to Aotearoa New Zealand — Burnett Foundation
Free helpline advice
Call a health line for free advice. If English is not your first language, there are interpreters who can help.
Call Health Line on 0800 611 116.
Call the free Plunket parent helpline on 0800 933 922.
Visit the Healthify website.