Having a visa to work or visit New Zealand doesn't mean that you would be covered by the health care system if something were to happen.

If you have an accident or injure yourself while playing sport or at work, in most instances, you will be covered by Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). ACC is New Zealand's no-fault accidental injury compensation scheme.

In other cases where you find yourself unwell, your level of cover under the public health system will depend on the type of visa you have, your country of origin and the duration of your stay. Visas are complicated, but we can roughly break visa holders into two main categories which are listed below. Both have access to different services, so it's important to understand what cover your visa provides.

Eligibility for public health care in New Zealand

If you have a work visa valid for two years or more

Then you are generally eligible for publicly funded health and disability services. This means that you can register for a doctor (and pay subsidised rates) and receive free or subsidised access to public services. If you are eligible for publicly funded services, then you are eligible for our SmartCare health insurance, which will give you access to private health care services as well. Receiving care privately is usually much faster than public waiting lists.

If you have a visa valid for less than two years

In this case, you are generally not eligible for free or subsidised access to public health care services. You can still access some services but these will be at your own cost. In this instance, SmartStay will provide you with benefits for both the public and private sector, as well as the option to add cover for doctors (GP) visits and prescription drug costs. SmartStay is the only comprehensive medical insurance in New Zealand for people on a visa of fewer than two years.

Do you need health insurance in New Zealand?

There are a few things to consider when deciding to take out health insurance.

• Do you have access to the public health care system? You can check your eligibility here.
• Do you require medical insurance for your visa with immigration New Zealand?
• How long are you in New Zealand?
• How long are you prepared to wait for treatment?

If you don't have access to the public health care system, you can still apply for our SmartStay health insurance. You can apply from anywhere and at any time as the process is entirely online.

The New Zealand Health Care System

New Zealand's heath care system is a little different to other countries, so we have tried to explain the three main components and how they work in New Zealand.

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)

ACC provides comprehensive, no-fault personal injury cover for all New Zealand residents and visitors to New Zealand. If you are injured whilst visiting New Zealand, ACC may cover treatment and rehabilitation costs while you remain in New Zealand. This is usually a free service, however, ACC may require that you contribute to the cost of some treatments.

Public Health System

The public health system is subsidised by the government but does not provide cover for everyone in New Zealand. If you have a New Zealand work visa for less than two years, subject to some exceptions, you will need to pay for your public healthcare, unless you have cover under private insurance.

Private Health System

The private health system gives you control over when and where you are treated for health issues, including being able to choose the doctor, specialist or hospital that you prefer. This is not funded by the government, so to use the private health system, you will need to pay for your own private treatment or have health or travel insurance that provides cover in New Zealand.

Acute v Elective Treatment

In New Zealand, you may see surgeries and medical treatments described as acute or elective. This is the wording that is used to describe how important a certain treatment or surgery is and the urgency with which it needs to happen.

Acute treatment

Acute treatment is when a surgery or treatment needs to be undertaken immediately because it is a medical emergency and requires urgent attention. In the public system, acute treatment is the priority so will be undertaken as soon as possible. This means that the private health system will often not be involved in acute treatment as it is dealt with quickly by the public health system.

Elective Treatment

Elective treatment is when a surgery or treatment is scheduled in advance to be undertaken at a later date because it is not a medical emergency and does not need to be performed immediately. In the public health system, wait times for elective treatment range from months to years. One of the main reasons that people decide to have their elective treatment within the private health system is because it is significantly faster.

*Under clause B23 of the Health and Disability Services Eligibility Direction 2011.

Disclaimer:

The information provided above is intended as a general guide only and does not constitute legal, immigration, or medical advice. Health care eligibility and entitlements in New Zealand can vary depending on your visa type, country of origin, and specific circumstances. While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this content at the time of publication, visa and health care policies may change. We recommend that you consult official sources such as Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand or Immigration New Zealand for the most up-to-date and relevant information regarding your eligibility and requirements. For advice specific to your situation, please speak with a licensed immigration adviser or qualified health professional.