New Zealand Immigration Information


Immigration to New Zealand

New Zealand healthcare system

Publicly funded health services include:

• Free public hospital treatment.
• Free treatment at public hospital 24-hour accident and emergency clinics.
• Subsidies on prescription items.
• Subsidised fees for visits by family members to general practicioners.
• Subsidised fees for visits to physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths when
  referred by a GP.
• Free or subsidised health care for those suffering from acute or chronic medical
  conditions.
• No charge for most laboratory tests and x-rays, except at privately operated clinics.
• No charge for health care during pregnacy and childbirth, unless provided by the
  private medical sector.
• No charge for GP referrals to a public hospital for treatment.
• Free subscription medicines for all public hospital patients
• Subsidies for children under 6 for visits to the doctor and for prescriptions.
• Free basic dental care for all school children.
• Free breast screening for women aged between 50 and 65.

Accident insurance - ACC

All residents are covered by government-run accident insurance.
The scheme is managed by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and covers the full range of personal injuries.
This includes injuries suffered at work, at home or during sports or other leisure activities.
Claims may also be made for personal injury caused by medical mistake or error, sexual assault or abuse and some work-related conditions such as occupational overuse syndrome (OOS).

In New Zealand, you cannot sue anyone for compensatory damages if you are injured. Instead, ACC helps to pay for the cost of your care.
All accident victims are entitled to free hospital treatment. ACC also subsidises all other types of treatment involving accident-related injuries, as long as the treatment is provided by registered health professionals.
The patient usually pays a part-charge for the treatment.
If your injury stops you from working, ACC pays weekly compensation, usually based on 80% of your weekly income before tax.
It can also help with residential nursing care, home help and childcare, as well as subsidising transport and training costs while you recover.
In some cases involving permanent physical impairment, compensation, or "lump sum" financial payments are also made.
For further information, visit www.acc.govt.nz

Help for people on low incomes or with high health needs

Community Services Card

People on low incomes may be eligible for a Community Services Card, which entitles them to higher government subsidies on visits to their family doctor and the purchase of prescription items.
For more information about the Community Services Card, Freephone: 0800 999 999

High Use Health Card

This card is for individuals who visit their family doctor 12 times or more in a 12-month period for an ongoing illness. this card also accessess higher subsidies on visits to the family doctor and on pharmaceuticals.
For more information about the High Use Health Card, Freephone: 0800 252 464

Prescription Subsidy Card

If you or your family have paid for 20 subscription items from 1 Februari in a given year, you may be eligible for a Prescription Subsidy Card. This card can be obtained from your local chemist/pharmacy.

New Zealand health related links:

Arthritis Foundation of New Zealand
CCS, services for disabled and their families
Deaf Association of New Zealand Inc.
Diabetes New Zealand
Eldernet
Overview of the Health and Social Security system
The Health Network
Healthpages
Government breast screening and cervical screening programmes
IHC New Zealand
Presbyterian Support
Parents of Vision Impaired NZ Inc.
The Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind
Outline of women's health services

You may Email us with any questions you might have that are related to moving to and living in a new country and where possible we will help you.

If you wish to apply for permanent residence in New Zealand, please refer to the "Eligibility Assessment" section of this website by clicking this link