Enrolling with a GP and who can get publicly funded healthcare
In New Zealand, you usually see a family doctor (GP) first when you are unwell. If you are eligible for publicly funded health services, you can enrol with a GP clinic for free. After you enrol, visits cost less, and you get reminders and screening services. Enrol before you get sick.
Key facts
- Cost to enrol
- Enrolling with a GP clinic is free. The clinic may charge a fee each time you visit.3
- How long enrolment takes
- Enrolment can take up to 3 months to complete, so enrol while you are still well.2
- Work visa holders
- You are eligible if your work visa lets you stay in New Zealand for 2 years or more (counted from your first day in New Zealand), or if your visa plus the time you were legally in New Zealand before getting it adds up to 2 years.1
- Australian citizens and permanent residents
- Eligible if living, or intending to live, in New Zealand for 2 years or more (continuous, counted from your first day in New Zealand).1
- Children aged 17 and under
- Children aged 17 and under are eligible if they are cared for by an eligible parent or legal guardian.1
- GP visits for children
- Eligible children aged 13 and under can see a GP for free (if the clinic takes part in the scheme).4
- Enrolling family members
- You can enrol children aged 16 and under for them. Family members over 16 must enrol themselves.2
- Prescription fees
- Most people pay NZ$5 per prescription item. It is free for children aged 13 and under, people aged 65 and over, and Community Services Card holders and their family members.4
- Healthline
- 0800 611 116. Free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.5
- Emergencies
- In a life-threatening emergency, call 111 for an ambulance.5
- Upcoming change
- The rules on eligibility for publicly funded healthcare will change from 1 December 2026.1
Who is this for, and what are the requirements?
- To enrol with a GP, you must be eligible for publicly funded health services.
- New Zealand citizens are eligible.
- People with a residence class visa, resident visa or permanent resident visa are eligible.
- Work visa holders are eligible if their visa lets them stay in New Zealand for 2 years or more (time you were legally in New Zealand before getting the visa can count).
- Australian citizens, or Australian permanent residents, who live or intend to live in New Zealand for 2 years or more are eligible.
- Refugees, protected persons, and people applying for or appealing refugee or protection status are eligible.
- Interim visa: if you were eligible before you got your interim visa, you are still eligible.
- Children aged 17 and under are eligible if cared for by an eligible parent or legal guardian (or someone in the process of adopting them or becoming their guardian).
- Your partner is not automatically eligible because you are. They must meet the rules themselves (except for maternity services).
- International students cannot enrol with a GP. You can only register as a casual patient to see a doctor. Check your health insurance.
- If the clinic is not sure whether you are eligible, it will send your case to Health NZ to decide.
How do I do it? Steps and process
- Check if you are eligible
Read the Health NZ page 'Eligibility for publicly funded health and disability services' and find which group your status or visa fits into.
- Find a clinic near you on Healthpoint
The official page recommends the Healthpoint website to find GP clinics near you. You can choose your own doctor and clinic.
- Call and ask if they take new patients
Not every clinic takes new patients, so you may need to contact several. Ask about their fees too. Clinics are private businesses, so fees are different at each one.
- Fill in the form and show your documents
The clinic will ask you to sign an enrolment form. They may ask to see documents such as your passport or birth certificate. Work visa holders usually need to show a valid work visa in their passport.
- Enrol your family too
You can enrol children aged 16 and under for them. Family members over 16 must enrol themselves, but you can take forms home for them to fill in.
- Wait for enrolment to finish
Enrolment can take up to 3 months. After that, you pay the enrolled-patient price for visits, and you get reminders for things like screening and vaccinations.
What documents do I need?
- Proof of identity, such as a passport or birth certificate
- Proof of your visa, such as a valid work visa or resident visa in your passport
- Australian permanent residents: proof you will live in New Zealand for 2 years, such as an employment contract, a long-term tenancy agreement or mortgage documents
- The enrolment form from the clinic
What should I watch out for?
- Enrol before you get sick. It will cost much less when you do need a doctor.
- You can see a GP without enrolling, but you will usually pay the higher casual rate.
- You can only be enrolled with one clinic at a time. When you enrol with a new clinic, your old enrolment is cancelled automatically.
- A clinic should not usually refuse to enrol you, unless it already has too many patients.
- Once enrolled, you can use a free interpreter service when you need it.
- Free GP visits for children aged 13 and under depend on the clinic taking part in the scheme. Ask first. If it does not, you can enrol with a different clinic.
- You can still use your Community Services Card after you enrol.
- If you feel unwell but are not sure you need a doctor, call Healthline to talk to a nurse for free.
- In a life-threatening situation (trouble breathing, chest pain, heavy bleeding, severe allergic reaction), call 111 straight away or go to the emergency department (ED).
- If you are injured in an accident, ACC may pay for your treatment whatever your residence status, but ACC must accept your claim.
- If you are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare, the government strongly recommends you buy comprehensive travel and health insurance.
- This page is a summary of public information. Health NZ or your clinic will decide whether you personally are eligible.
What has changed recently?
- Health NZ has announced that the rules on who can get publicly funded healthcare will change from 1 December 2026. See the Ministry of Health website for details. Coming soon
Common questions
How do I find a GP when I first arrive in New Zealand?
Use the Healthpoint website to find GP clinics near you. You can choose your own doctor and clinic. Then call the clinics and ask if they take new patients and what their fees are. To enrol, you must be eligible for publicly funded health services. Enrolment can take up to 3 months, so enrol before you get sick.
Can I get public healthcare in NZ on a work visa?
Yes, if your work visa lets you stay in New Zealand for 2 years or more, counted from your first day in New Zealand. You are also eligible if your visa plus the time you were legally in New Zealand before getting it adds up to 2 years. Health NZ or your clinic decides if you personally are eligible. The rules will change from 1 December 2026.
Does it cost money to enrol with a GP, and what documents do I need?
No, enrolling with a GP clinic is free, but the clinic may charge a fee each time you visit. You sign the clinic's enrolment form. You may need to show proof of identity, such as a passport or birth certificate, and proof of your visa, such as a valid work visa in your passport. Australian permanent residents may need proof they will live in New Zealand for 2 years.
Can international students enrol with a GP in New Zealand?
No, international students cannot enrol with a GP. You can only register as a casual patient to see a doctor, and you will usually pay the higher casual rate. Check your health insurance. If you are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare, the government strongly recommends comprehensive travel and health insurance.
Why do so many clinics say they are not taking new patients?
A clinic can refuse to enrol you if it already has too many patients. Otherwise, a clinic should not usually refuse to enrol you. Not every clinic takes new patients, so you may need to contact several clinics. Use the Healthpoint website to find other clinics near you.
Are GP visits free for children in NZ?
Yes, eligible children aged 13 and under can see a GP for free, if the clinic takes part in the scheme. Ask the clinic first. If it does not take part, you can enrol your child with a different clinic. Prescriptions are also free for children aged 13 and under.
Who can I call if I feel unwell at night and cannot see a doctor?
Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 to talk to a nurse. It is free and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In a life-threatening situation, such as trouble breathing, chest pain, heavy bleeding or a severe allergic reaction, call 111 straight away or go to the emergency department (ED).
How do I change to a different GP clinic?
Enrol with the new clinic. You can only be enrolled with one clinic at a time. When you enrol with a new clinic, your old enrolment is cancelled automatically. Call the new clinic first to check that it takes new patients and to ask about its fees.
Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.
Where can I check the official information?
- Eligibility for publicly funded health and disability servicesHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
- Signing up with a healthcare providerHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
- General practicesHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
- Zero fees for tamariki under 14Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
- Which health service should I use?Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
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