Infos & News

Public Healthcare - Entitlements

New Zealand citizens are entitled to a wide range of free and government-subsidised healthcare, including hospital and doctor services, free public hospital treatment and free 24-hour accident and emergency clinics.

The government also funds subsidies for visits to the local doctor and prescriptions for young children, people who require frequent healthcare and those on low incomes.

The following information on eligibility for publicly funded health and disability services in New Zealand originates from the NZ Ministry of Health Web Page:

 "Guide to Eligibility for Publicly Funded Health and Disability Services in New Zealand"

Eligibility quick guide table

Category
Eligibility criteria requirements
Services provided

New Zealand citizen

New Zealand citizens (including those living in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau who visit New Zealand on a temporary basis and those born in New Zealand)

All services

Resident in New Zealand

New Zealand permanent residents

All services

Work Permit Holders

Hold a current work permit which, together with the time the person has already been in New Zealand lawfully, allows for a continuous stay of at least two years

All services

Australians resident in New Zealand
An Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia who can demonstrate an intention to remain in New Zealand for two years or more

All services

Overseas students funded by Official Development Assistance Programme

Students funded by the NZAID ODA programme; their partners, and their children under the age of 18 years

All services

Commonwealth Scholarship students
Students funded by New Zealand universities or NZAID as a postgraduate Commonwealth Scholarship holder.

All services

Foreign Language Teaching Assistants Scheme
Teachers funded by the Ministry of Education's Foreign Language teaching Assistantship Scheme

All services

Refugees and applicant refugees
Eligible with proof of refugee/applicant refugee status

All services

Australian resident on a temporary visit to New Zealand
Hold an Australian passport and have Australian residency
'Immediately necessary medical treatment' as specified in the New Zealand/Australia Reciprocal Health Agreement

United Kingdom citizens who are living in the UK and who visit New Zealand on a temporary basis

Hold a United Kingdom passport and be a UK national

Urgent medical treatment as specified in the New Zealand/UK Reciprocal Health Agreement

Children in the care and control of an eligible person
The parent or legal guardian must be eligible as a citizen, resident, Australian,student or visitor and the child(ren) must be lawfully present in New Zealand and be under the age of 18 years. Eligible work permit holders can pass on eligibility to dependant child(ren) 19 years of age and under.

All services

Persons receiving compulsory treatment
Compulsory treatment under any of the Tuberculosis Act 1948, Health Act 1956, Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966, and the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992

Only eligible for specified services under the appropriate Act

Prison inmate or individual on remand in prison custody

Passport and/or permit status not relevant. Length of stay not relevant

Only eligible for services not provided by the prison health system

People who suffer injury through an accident in New Zealand
Injury must happen in New Zealand and be accepted by ACC as falling under the ACC legislation. Level of assistance depends on the type of injury/treatment required.

Accident-related personal health services for a specified injury. May have some ability to receive assistance directly from ACC for other services

Individuals eligible under previous Direction who retain eligibility

Category
Eligibility criteria requirements
Services provided

Student or visitor permit holder eligible under 2000 Eligibility Direction

At 30 October 2003:

• holds a current student or visitor permit which, together with the time the person has already been in New Zealand lawfully, allows for a continuous stay of at least two years; or
• holds a student permit of at least 12 months and evidence of enrolment on an New Zealand course of study of at least two years; and is granted consecutive visas to remain or re-enter New Zealand;

and

• has been granted consecutive permits to remain or re-enter New Zealand
All service

Disclaimer

This information is intended as a guide only. Every effort has been made to ensure that it is accurate. However, in the event of any dispute, Government policy and legislation, including the 2003 Eligibility Direction itself, will take precedence."