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How to Pay for Healthcare Services in New Zealand

Nz pocket guide is 10 years old. thank you for trusting us with your trip for over a decade, how to pay for healthcare in new zealand if you are from overseas.

Being ill or injured sucks but it sucks more when you are in an entirely different country with different healthcare systems and no one to make you hot soup. However, New Zealand is definitely not a bad country to have an accident in or have the need to see a doctor. Healthcare in New Zealand is made pretty affordable thanks to government subsidies and a public accident compensation scheme, for which overseas visitors are also eligible. To prepare you for if the worst should happen, we have put this quick guide together on how to pay for healthcare services in New Zealand.

The price of healthcare in New Zealand is reasonable when you only break a bone or need to have a doctor’s consultation once with perhaps a quick prescription to pick up. Anything more than that is when the expenses can add up and you’ll be thankful that travel insurance. For advice on choosing the right travel insurance, check out our complete New Zealand Travel Insurance Guide .

5 Ways to Keep the Cost of Healthcare Down When Travelling in New Zealand

You can’t prepare for everything but you can reduce your chances of getting sick, being in an accident or needing to buy medication in New Zealand…

• See a doctor before you leave home – Get a check-up so there are no nasty surprises during your trip
• Stock up on your prescriptions before leaving home – You can bring three months’ worth of medication into New Zealand. If you need more, ask your doctor and pharmacist to write a letter explaining why in the case that you need to show this at the Immigration desk when you arrive in New Zealand. On the same note, remember to declare your mediation on your Passenger Arrival Card .
• Be aware of how to stay safe in New Zealand’s outdoor environments with our guide to Outdoor Safety in New Zealand
• Understand the rules of New Zealand roads when driving with our guide on How to Drive in New Zealand
• Choose comprehensive travel insurance that actually covers what’s necessary and that comes at a fair price.

For more health tips, check out the Health Tips For Travelling in New Zealand .

Paying for Healthcare in New Zealand Due to Illness

The healthcare system in New Zealand is mostly made up of private providers. If you are a visitor or hold a work visa for less than two years (which is the case with working holiday visas ), then you will have to pay full price for healthcare in New Zealand.

How Much Does Seeing a Doctor Cost in New Zealand for Non-Residents?

The price to see a general practitioner (GP) or doctor for non-residents is usually around NZ$80 , or slightly more expensive when using a convenient telehealth service like CareHQ (see our full guide to telehealth in New Zealand here ). Additional care and treatment vary in price on a case-by-case basis.

When Do You Pay for Your GP Consultation in New Zealand?

The fee to see the GP is usually paid at the end of the appointment. The fee may also be reduced for simple appointments, such as just writing a prescription for medication that you already take (this mainly depends on how generous the GP is feeling).

Ask for a receipt and a full medical report for any medical treatment or GP consultation so that you can use it to claim your money back with your travel insurance provider.

Paying for Healthcare in New Zealand Due to Injuries from Accidents

Everyone, whether you’re a visitor or live in New Zealand, is entitled to New Zealand’s personal accident compensation scheme run by the Accident Compensation Corporation ( ACC ) . This covers part, but likely not all, of your medical bill.

The ACC provides no-fault cover for injuries caused by any kind of accident, whether it’s a trip or a fall; from skiing or being at work; or something else. A whole list of injuries that ACC covers can be found on the ACC website . You are even covered if you caused the accident.

The ACC helps with the cost of medication, treatment and rehabilitation. However, there may be some part-costs that you have to pay. These would then be covered by your travel insurance.

For more information, see What is ACC and Employee Accident Cover?

Paying for Healthcare in New Zealand Due to Injuries from Accidents at Work

If you are injured at work, then it is important that you record this straight away on an ACC form with your employer. That way, if you have to spend some time off work due to your injury, your employer and the ACC may compensate you for the loss of earnings during your time off work. You are eligible for this compensation even if you are on a working holiday visa .

Again, more information is outlined in What is ACC and Employee Accident Cover?

Medication Costs in New Zealand

Once you are given a prescription from a GP or doctor, you can pick it up from a pharmacy. The cost of many medicines is subsidised through the public healthcare system.

What medications are covered and what is not is decided by the Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC), where you can read more about what’s covered on their website . Each medicine that is covered will cost NZ$5-$15 to pick up from a pharmacy. Medicines that are not subsidised will cost more.

Again, medication may be covered by your travel insurance so be sure to keep the receipt and contact your travel insurance provider.

Paying for Dental Care and Vision Care

Dentists and opticians are run by private companies in New Zealand, meaning there is a great difference between prices for dental and vision care. You will have to pay for dentists and opticians yourself unless you have dental issues caused by an accident that occurred in New Zealand, then you may be able to get some compensation from the ACC for dental care.

It’s best to shop around when looking for dentists and opticians in New Zealand, as it is unlikely that your travel insurance will cover this (unless you have added it on as an extra).

If you want to buy glasses or contact lenses from an optician in New Zealand, it is usually mandatory to have an eye test first. However, a way around this if you know your eye correction prescription is to order them online.

Paying for Healthcare in New Zealand with Your Travel Insurance

It is compulsory for international students and working holiday visa holders to have travel insurance during their time in New Zealand. For those on a visitor visa , the choice is up to you. For those who have travel insurance, what it covers depends on the policy you have purchased. In most cases, your travel insurance will cover the cost of medical consultations with a GP and any part cost that is not covered by ACC or subsidised by the New Zealand healthcare system.

How to Pay Using Travel Insurance

You will need to pay for doctor consultations and prescriptions upfront. Otherwise, you will be sent a bill for more complex treatments or rehabilitation. You can then claim this money back with your travel insurance company. This is usually done by filling out a claim form on your travel insurance website or by making a phone call to your travel insurance provider. Make sure that you have the appropriate paperwork necessary to make a claim, such as the receipt of your medical bill and a full doctor’s report.

How to Choose Travel Insurance

Choosing good travel insurance is a tricky business with so many companies out there offering different things – some things you need and some things that are completely bogus. Consider what you might actually need should the worse happen, such as cover for luggage and personal items, work cover and disrupted travel and transit. You may also want to add cover for extreme sports like scuba diving and skiing, which is not usually included in basic travel insurance plans.

A reliable New Zealand-based travel insurance that we’ve tried and tested is Orbit Protect . Read more about them, as well as some serious tips for choosing travel insurance for New Zealand in How to Choose the BEST Travel Insurance for New Zealand .

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Pay for Healthcare in New Zealand

If you still haven’t had your question about how to pay for healthcare in New Zealand answered, maybe it will be here!

Is Healthcare Free in New Zealand for Foreigners?

Healthcare is not free in New Zealand for foreigners. Although some of the medical costs caused by having an accident in New Zealand may be covered by ACC, foreigners will have to pay for doctor’s consultations, prescriptions and other forms of healthcare. Bearing in mind, however, that much healthcare in New Zealand is heavily subsidised.

Is Healthcare Free for Tourists in New Zealand?

Healthcare is not free for tourists in New Zealand. Although some of the medical costs caused by having an accident in New Zealand may be covered by ACC, tourists will have to pay for doctor’s consultations, prescriptions and other forms of healthcare. Bearing in mind, however, that much healthcare in New Zealand is heavily subsidised.

What is the Cost of Healthcare in New Zealand?

The cost of healthcare in New Zealand varies depending on the treatment. However, the standard cost for a GP’s consultation for non-residents is around NZ$80, while prescriptions are around NZ$5 to $15. Bear in mind, however, that much healthcare in New Zealand is heavily subsidised, so it is relatively affordable.

More About How to Pay for Healthcare in New Zealand

That’s it for our guide on how to pay for healthcare in New Zealand. For more health tips, check out the following:

• 14 Questions to Ask Before Buying Medical Travel Insurance
• Health Tips for Travelling in New Zealand
• New Zealand Working Holiday & Student Insurance : FULL Guide

Finally, for more advice and costs to expect while travelling around NZ, take a look at   NZ Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to New Zealand Cost?

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

• Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
• Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
• Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
• Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
• Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
• Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
• DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
• Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
• AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])

Our editorial standards : At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

This article has been reviewed and approved by Robin, who is the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. With more than 15 years of experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Robin has co-founded three influential tourism businesses and five additional travel guides for South Pacific nations. He is an expert in New Zealand travel and has tested over 600 activities and 300+ accommodations across the country.

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All hospital visitors are recommended to wear a medical face mask. For more information about visiting: Visitors and family .  See our COVID-19 page for general COVID-19 advice, detailed hospital visiting guidelines and COVID-19 tests.

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Last updated: 16 September 2022

Fewer visitor restrictions now apply

For visitors to all facilities (effective from and last updated on 16 september 2022).

Some visitor restrictions for all Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast health facilities remain in place, but we have relaxed others.

There is still a heightened risk to vulnerable people in hospital and so people must continue to wear a mask when visiting any of our facilities and follow other advice designed to keep patients, staff and other visitors safe.

Kia whakahaumaru te whānau, me ngā iwi katoa – this is to keep everybody safe:

• Visitors or support people must not visit our facilities if they are unwell. Do not visit if you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and haven’t completed your isolation period.
• Patients in single rooms may have more than one visitor while patients in multi-bed rooms can have one visitor only per patient to ensure there is no overcrowding.
• People can have one or two support people to accompany them to outpatients appointments.
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• Eating or drinking at the bedside is at the discretion of the Clinical Nurse Manager. Visitors must not eat or drink in multibed rooms because of the increased risk when multiple people remove their mask in the same space.
• Hand sanitiser is available and must be used.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as our staff work hard to protect and care for some of the most vulnerable in our community.

Mask wearing

• Surgical/medical masks must be worn at all sites, except in counselling, mental health and addiction services where it’s on a case-by-case agreement with patients. Masks will be provided if you don’t have one. In higher-risk environments, people, including young children, may not be able to visit if they cannot wear a mask.
• Any member of the public with a mask exemption is welcome in all our facilities when attending to receive health care and *treatment . Please show your mask exemption card and appointment letter to staff at the entrance. *Treatment includes coming into the Emergency Department, outpatient appointments, surgery or a procedure.

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• People are able to visit patients who have COVID-19 but they must wear an N95 mask – this will be provided if you don’t have one.
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Healthcare for tourists is covered for accidental injuries.  Everyone in New Zealand, including visitors, is covered for medical care for accidental injuries through ACC. When you visit a doctor or hospital for an injury, you will be asked to fill out a form so ACC can pay for your treatment. There may still be some cost to you.

You will have to pay for healthcare for illnesses, and it is highly recommended you have travel insurance.

If you have a work visa for more than two years, you may be eligible for other health subsidies and benefits. See the Ministry of Health’s eligibility guide .

At hospital, an Interpreter Service is available for tourists and visitors to New Zealand who do not speak fluent English. Please ask a nurse for an interpreter.

How do I pay?

If you have to go to hospital during your stay in New Zealand, staff will discuss the cost of treatment with you during your stay. You will get an invoice when you are discharged from hospital.

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Paying for healthcare services

Free or subsidised health and disability services are provided to eligible people in New Zealand.

This includes:

• subsidised primary healthcare services, eg doctor’s visits
• subsidies on prescribed medicines
• free public hospital services
• support services if you have disabilities.

If you are not eligible for government-funded healthcare, you can still use these services. However, you will usually need to pay for them. The government strongly recommends you get comprehensive travel insurance with health cover if you are not eligible for subsidised healthcare.

If you are injured while you are in New Zealand, the Accident Compensation Scheme (ACC) usually covers most costs for treatment and rehabilitation for residents as well as visitors. The ACC website has details on what is covered.

Publicly funded health and disability services | Ministry of Health

What we cover | ACC

Who is eligible for subsidised healthcare 

You may be eligible for subsidised healthcare if you are:

• a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident or resident (exceptions apply if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident – check the Ministry of Health website)
• a work visa holder who is allowed to work here for 2 years or more
• the holder of a work visa that allows you to work here 2 years or more when combined with time you have spent in New Zealand just before getting your current work visa. For example, you qualify if you had a visa that allowed you to be in New Zealand for one year, and you now have a work visa that allows you to stay another year.
• under 17 and your parent or guardian is eligible
• an interim visa holder who was eligible immediately before you got the interim visa
• a refugee or protected person.

If you are not on this list, you may still be eligible for the full range of services or for limited services – check details on the Ministry of Health website.

Eligibility guide for healthcare | Ministry of Health

Eligibility – questions and answers | Ministry of Health

Eligibility for limited services | Ministry of Health

Eligibility for services if you are from Australia or the United Kingdom

Special conditions apply to eligibility for subsidised healthcare if you are from Australia or the UK. The Ministry of Health website has more information.

Proving you are eligible

If you are eligible for government-funded healthcare you will need to show your healthcare provider proof of your eligibility when you visit, for example your e-visa letter. If you do not have any proof, you may have to pay.

The Ministry of Health website has a checklist of the kinds of proof you can show.

Proof of eligibility checklist | Ministry of Health

Travel insurance if you are not eligible 

The government strongly recommends you get comprehensive travel insurance with health cover if you are not eligible for subsidised healthcare services.

Comprehensive travel insurance covers you for costs in the New Zealand health system. You can buy travel insurance before you leave your country or when you arrive in New Zealand. You can decide how much cover you want.

There are special types of travel and health insurance for people on some visas, such as international students or seasonal workers.

Private health insurance

Separate to the public health system, there are private healthcare providers who provide - as much as is practical - on-demand medical services. 

Private Health insurance providers provider cover to their customers or members for the costs of such services.  Most New Zealanders trust the public system.  And in New Zealand most medical specialists perform proceedures in both the private and public sectors.  

But the private healthcare system gives you more control over when and where you are treated for health issues. You are also usually able to choose the doctor, specialist or hospital that you prefer.

A number of companies offer private health insurance policies which cover costs in the private system. You can decide how much cover you want and the types of services you want to be covered for. Note that to be able to buy most private health insurance schemes in New Zealand you must be eligible for publicly funded healthcare.

There are two main types of policies:

• ‘Comprehensive cover’ policies that cover you for all your medical costs, including GP visits and prescriptions
• Policies that provide cover for combinations of specialist care and elective (non-urgent) surgery.

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 individuals affected by HIV.

Information for people living with HIV migrating to Aotearoa New Zealand | Burnett Foundation

Cover for injuries

Most of the costs of injuries from accidents are covered by an accident compensation scheme

If you are injured in New Zealand, you will not have to pay for healthcare services in most cases. The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), a government agency, provides personal injury cover for all New Zealand residents and visitors to New Zealand.

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 help you make a claim for ACC cover. The claim must be accepted by ACC before it will contribute to funding.

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 Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Korean, Chinese and Hindi are also available on the website. Search for your language under Resources.

What to do if you are injured | ACC

Dental care costs

You have to 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 on 0800 825 583.

You can find out more about dental care costs on the Ministry of Health website.

Publicly funded dental care | Ministry of Health

Protect your family's smile | Ministry of Health

Doctors' fees

Buying medicines

In New Zealand, people visit pharmacies to fill in a prescription from the doctor or to ask advice from a pharmacist.

Find out more

Doctors’ practices set their own fees. Check how much you will pay with the practice directly.

Your local Te Whatu Ora website will have a list of practices and their fees. You could also look on the Doctor Pricer website.

You will pay reduced doctors’ fees if you enrol with a practice. You can only enrol if you are eligible for publicly funded healthcare services.

Most practices offer free doctor’s 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 Ministry of Health website below.

Find fees for your local GP | Doctor Pricer

Visiting a doctor - costs | Ministry of Health

List of local health websites | Te Whatu Ora

Call free healthlines

Call a health line for free advice. If English is not your first language, there are interpreters who can help.

• Call Health Line (0800 611 116)
• Call the free Plunket parent helpline (0800 933 922)
• Visit the Health Navigator website

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Medicine costs

If you are eligible for publicly funded healthcare services, you only need to pay a small contribution to the cost of the medicines prescribed by your doctor. This is currently $5 per item in most cases.

Medicines that are not fully subsidised will cost more. They are usually free for children under 14 years.

You can find more information about medicine costs on the Ministry of Health website.

Prescription charges | Ministry of Health

List of funded medications | Pharmac

Buying medicines in New Zealand

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Estimated cost of treatment, pre-approval and deposits, more information, payment terms.

You have a right to be fully informed about the cost of treatment options. Please be sure to discuss the estimated total cost of your treatment with your surgeon before you are admitted for surgery.

We recommend that you request a written summary of the cost estimate. This estimate should show the cost of fees for healthcare professionals (e.g. surgeon, anaesthetist) as well as the costs for Mercy Hospital's services. 

If you have not received a written cost estimate prior to your admission and you proceed with your surgery, you will still be responsible for all costs incurred in connection with your hospital stay. 

Health insurance pre-approval If you carry health insurance, please contact your insurer prior to surgery and apply for pre-approval. You will be asked to provide a copy of the cost estimate and any other relevant medical information for your insurer to consider.

Southern Cross affiliated provider procedures Mercy Hospital is an affiliated provider to Southern Cross, and there are a number of surgical procedures called 'affiliated provider procedures' for which Southern Cross members do not need to seek prior approval. Your surgeon will advise you whether or not your procedure is an affiliated provider procedure. If this is the case, then all you need to do is provide Mercy with your Southern Cross policy number and we will handle the prior approval for you.

ACC patients ACC patients must have prior approval from ACC before your surgery can go ahead. 

SDHB patients Approval for your procedure is managed between SDHB and Mercy Hospital. 

Self funding patients If your surgery is not covered by health insurance or ACC, you may be asked to pay a deposit for the estimated Mercy Hospital costs relating to your procedure.

Following your surgery, you will usually receive separate invoices from:

• Your surgeon.
• Your anaesthetist.
• Mercy Hospital.
• Other health care professionals who may be involved in your treatment. For example, physiotherapists, occupational therapists.

Patients with health insurance Please forward all invoices relating to your surgery to your health insurer, with a completed claim form. Once Mercy Hospital has received payment from your insurer, we will send you a receipt showing any outstanding balance that you need to pay. 

Patients with Southern Cross Health Insurance As Mercy Hospital is an affiliated provider to Southern Cross, there are a number of procedures called 'affiliated provider procedures' for which invoice processing is streamlined, as explained below:

• Southern Cross affiliated provider procedures: If your procedure is an affiliated provider procedure, Mercy Hospital will handle the prior approval and claim for you. You will receive an invoice from Mercy Hospital for any excess and/or items not covered by your insurer.
• Southern Cross non-affiliated provider procedures: If your procedure is not an affiliated provider procedure, following surgery you will need to complete and submit a health insurance claim to Southern Cross. You will be required to pay any excess and/or items not covered by your insurer. 

ACC patients Hospital accounts will be paid directly by ACC. You may receive an invoice for any ancillary charges incurred (e.g. toll calls, visitor meals etc.).

SDHB patients SDHB patients having surgery at Mercy Hospital may receive an invoice for any ancillary charges incurred (e.g. toll calls, visitor meals etc.).

You can pay your Mercy Hospital invoice:

• Online via our payment portal .
• Internet banking direct to our bank account.
• By eftpos at our ground floor Reception desk.
• By credit card (Mastercard or Visa) at our ground floor Reception desk.

If you have questions about the fees associated with your surgery or cost estimates, please contact your surgeon's rooms.

Mercy Hospital accounts staff are also happy to assist you with any queries, via  email or phone (03 467 6654).

Payment of your Mercy Hospital invoice is due within 14 days of the invoice date. Mercy Hospital reserves the right to charge interest at 2% per month (24% per annum) on all unpaid balances owing after one month from the date of invoice.

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CityMed is part of a Primary Health Organisation which means that we are able to use Government subsidies to reduce consultation fees for patients who are enrolled at CityMed.

Surgery Fees

Consultation Fees

The charges stated below are our usual fees for a 15 minute consultation. These may vary, e.g. for longer consultation times, if consumables are used or other special circumstances. 

It is expected that if you are unable to attend your appointment that you call to cancel this as soon as possible. Non-attendance may generate a penalty fee-this will be applied at the Doctor's discretion.

Please note these fees are effective as of 4th September 2023

Service Fees

Note: CityMed Pharmacy will courier some medications (fees apply). Please contact them directly if you would like to use this service.

View Surgery Fees

Enrolment in the primary health organisation (PHO) is voluntary, but people are encouraged to join a PHO in order to gain the benefits associated with belonging to a PHO, which include cheaper doctor visits and reduced costs on prescription medicines.

~ Ministry of Health, New Zealand

Our fee structure supports this.

While a number of people are eligible for publicly funded health services , not all eligible people are entitled to enrol in a  PHO .  Our reception staff would be more than happy to check your eligibility and entitlement. Note in fees table below: Ineligible = ineligible for publicly-funded health services.

*Please note however, after enrolling, you will be charged at the non-enrolled rate until the your funding from Ministry of Health commences –  it can take up to 1 month before the funding comes through from the Ministry of Health and this is out of our control.

**If you wish, before your appointment, please check with our receptionist if your funding has come through or not.

FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

Standard Consultations (15-minute appointment) with the GP.

Acc consultations (15-minute appointment) with the gp..

All necessary procedures for ACC consultation (eg wound cleaning and dressing, suturing, bandaging, plaster casting etc) are FREE OF CHARGE  at Victoria Park Medical Suites (if your injury is covered by ACC).

Extended Consultations (30-minute appointment) with the GP.

Repeat prescriptions..

Repeat prescriptions are available at the doctor’s discretion. Certain medications and medical conditions will require a consultation to review the appropriateness and safety of the medication.   In general, repeat prescriptions are not given if a clinical review (of the requested medication) with the patient has not been conducted in the last 6 months.

Please allow one working day for repeat prescriptions to be prepared

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Eligibility & fees

We have a publicly funded healthcare system for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents. The Government requires that all patients prove they are eligible to receive publicly funded healthcare and that we gather proof of eligibility status from each patient we see. In the case of an emergency this will be done as soon as possible after care. If you are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare, you will be charged for your care.

See the  Ministry of Health’s s guide to eligibility for publicly funded health services for more information ( ) .

Proof of eligibility status

If we ask you for proof of eligibility, please do not be offended. This is standard practice for all patients of any background. Even if you are a New Zealand citizen, we are required to confirm your eligibility. Once eligibility status has been recorded by us, patients will not usually be asked again.

You will be asked to provide copies of either:

• Your passport (including all pages that have a New Zealand immigration stamp or sticker plus the photo page).
• Your New Zealand birth certificate (and marriage certificate if your last name has changed).
• Your New Zealand citizen certificate.

These details will be recorded in our database. 

Work homepage

We can help you get ready to apply and find the right job for you. We can even help you while you're working.

Get ready to work

You can get training, help with CVs and cover letters, and advice for job interviews.

Find out what jobs are available, which job is best for you and how you can plan your career.

Whether you've just started a job or need some help at work, we've got your back.

Lost your job

We'll help you get ready to find a new job and support you while you're between jobs.

Start your own business

Get help to plan and set up a successful business or be a self-employed contractor.

Benefits and payments homepage

Take a look at the range of benefits and payments we have available.

Not working

Redundancy, health condition or disability or another reason you can’t work

• Living expenses

Food, school costs, power, accommodation or other living expenses you need help with

Relationship changes

You’ve had a relationship break-up, family breakdown or violent relationship end

Health and Disability

Counselling, prescription and GP costs, medical alarms and other costs we can help with

Travelling overseas, how to apply, payment rates and dates, overseas pensions, income and other info for Seniors

Caring for someone else’s child or someone with a health condition, injury or disability

Urgent or unexpected costs

Dental, glasses, car repairs, fridge, washing machine, funeral or other urgent costs you need help with

Childcare, school uniforms, stationery, having a baby and other costs if you have children

Moving to New Zealand

Payments you can get from us, settling into NZ, overseas pensions and more.

Benefits and forms

A-Z list of benefits, forms, benefit rates

On a benefit homepage

Check out what you need to do when you're getting a benefit or other payment from us.

Something's changed

Address, contact details, overseas travel, childcare, relationship or anything else that’s changed.

Declare income and income deduction tables

Change in your childcare situation, continue childcare payments, cohort entry schools and other childcare information

Going overseas

Going on holiday or going to live overseas

Re-apply for Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Temporary Additional Support and more

Check or stop your payments, payment cards and other information

Check your debt, repayments and other debt information

Rights and responsibilities

Our commitment to you,  obligations, complaints, benefit fraud and more

Housing homepage

Find out how we can help you with housing.

Nowhere to stay

Get help if you have nowhere to stay right now.

Find a house

Find out where to look for private housing, or apply for public (social) housing.

Living in your home

Get help with accommodation costs, and advice on any housing issues and public housing tenancies.

Find out how we can help if you’re moving house.

Other languages

Read some of our housing information in other languages.

• Go to the Work and Income home page

Benefits and payments

• Emergencies
• Vehicle modification
• Contraception
• Counselling
• Dental treatment
• House modification
• Medical alarms
• Healthcare costs
• Residential care
• Travel costs
• You're not working
• Relationships
• Urgent costs
• Moving to NZ

Prescriptions and health practitioner costs

If you have healthcare costs for you and your family, and you're on a benefit or a low income, we may be able to help.

Health practitioner fees

If you have to visit a health practitioner, eg a doctor, because of a health condition or disability you have that will last longer than 6 months, we may be able to help cover their fees with a Disability Allowance

If you or a family member need to go to a health practitioner, eg, a doctor, and you can't cover their fees, we may be able to help with a Special Needs Grant

Hepatitis C

If you have hepatitis C and visit a health practitioner, eg, a doctor, as part of your treatment, we may be able to help pay towards their fees. You won't have to pay this money back.

To check if you can get this help and how to apply, go to Special Needs Grant

We may also be able to help with your travel costs to get to a health practitioner: Travel and accommodation costs

Prescription costs

If you have to pay for prescriptions because of a health condition or disability you have that will last longer than 6 months, we may be able to help cover them with the Disability Allowance

If you or a family member can't cover your prescription costs, we may be able to help with a Special Needs Grant

If you have hepatitis C, we may be able to help pay towards your prescription costs. To check if you can get this help and how to apply, go to Special Needs Grant

If you and your family have received and been charged for 20 subsidised prescription items before the end of the pharmaceutical year (February 1 to January 31 the next year), you may be able to get free prescriptions for the rest of that year. It's easier to manage this if you go to one pharmacy.

Travel and accommodation costs

We may be able to help with the cost of travelling to your health practitioner, eg, your doctor. You don't have to be on a benefit to get this help.

You won't have to pay the money back.

Children under 13

Children under 13 may be able to get free visits to their health practitioner, eg, their doctor, and may not be charged the standard $5 pharmacy charge for each prescription item.

Community Services Card

A Community Services Card can help with the costs of healthcare. You'll pay less for some health services simply by showing your card.

Most people who are on a benefit automatically get one of these cards. If you're not on a benefit, you can apply for one.

Emergency medical treatment

We may be able to help with the cost of emergency medical treatment, eg doctor's fees, prescription charges or hospital care.

Call us to discuss your situation.

Standard Consultations

*Out of coverage zone incurs $50 surcharge

Pensioners & Community Services Card holders

If you're a Pensioner or Community Services Card holder and have ongoing medical problems, you may qualify to have regular subsidised visits from one of our doctors. If you would like to know more, please get in touch.

We are registered as ACC providers so if your condition is due to an accident we can make a claim on your behalf. Full payment for the consultation will be taken at the time of the booking and once the claim has been accepted we will reimburse you the total amount covered by ACC.

Private Health Insurance

We are happy to announce that we have partnered with Southern Cross Health Society for Easy Claim. If you have a policy with Southern Cross, we can process the claim over the phone and you'll just pay the difference. If you have private health cover with a different insurer, you can still make a claim and you should be able to get a significant proportion of the consultation fee back depending on the type of policy you have. Ask us more about this.

Prescription charges

There used to be a $5 charge for standard prescriptions — this is now free. Some other prescriptions still have a prescription charge until you qualify for the prescription subsidy scheme.

Charges for prescriptions

From 1 July 2023, you no longer have to pay $5 for standard prescriptions from approved providers. Prescriptions from specialists and non-publicly funded prescribers still have a $15 charge.

Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about prescription charges.

Prescription charges and the prescription subsidy scheme — Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health

Prescription subsidy scheme

Once you or your family have collected 20 new prescription items in a year (starting from 1 February), you will not have to pay for any new prescriptions until 1 February the following year.

Green Prescriptions

If you’re struggling to manage everyday chores, a plan to increase your physical activity may be just what you need. Talk to your doctor or nurse about a Green Prescription, which is a plan to help you be more active and have a healthier diet.

The prescription comes from your doctor or nurse and involves getting advice about increasing activity and managing your diet to improve your health in general. It does not replace taking medications.

You’ll get help working out a programme that suits you from a trained support person and ongoing support if you need it.

Green Prescriptions — Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health

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Date printed 28 April 2024