Seeing a doctor in New Zealand: public health eligibility, GPs, ACC and prescriptions
To use health care in New Zealand, first check whether you are eligible for publicly funded services, then enrol with a GP clinic while you are well. When you are unwell, see your GP or call the free health line; prescriptions have a standard fee. If you are injured in an accident, you can apply for ACC cover whoever caused it. In an emergency, call 111. This page covers public health care and ACC only; private health insurance is a commercial product and is not covered here.
Am I eligible for publicly funded health care?
Enrolling with a GP and who can get publicly funded healthcare
Eligibility depends on your visa and status; children are eligible if cared for by an eligible parent or guardian.
- 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.↗
- 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).↗
- Children aged 17 and under: Children aged 17 and under are eligible if they are cared for by an eligible parent or legal guardian.↗
Cost of living in New Zealand: how to budget for rent, food, transport, health care and bills
If you are not eligible, you can still get care but you will pay; Immigration New Zealand recommends medical insurance from home.
- Health care: For most people with resident visas who live in New Zealand, health and disability services are funded. People on temporary visas may still get some services in some situations. If you are not eligible, you can still use health services, but you will need to pay↗
How do I enrol with a GP?
Enrolling with a GP and who can get publicly funded healthcare
Enrol while you are well. It is free, and visits cost less afterwards.
- Cost to enrol: Enrolling with a GP clinic is free. The clinic may charge a fee each time you visit.↗
- How long enrolment takes: Enrolment can take up to 3 months to complete, so enrol while you are still well.↗
- GP visits for children: Eligible children aged 13 and under can see a GP for free (if the clinic takes part in the scheme).↗
What do I do when I am unwell, and how much are medicines?
Enrolling with a GP and who can get publicly funded healthcare
If it is not urgent, call the free health line to talk to a nurse.
- Healthline: 0800 611 116. Free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.↗
Prescription costs and dental care
Prescriptions are charged per item, some people pay nothing, and dental care for under-18s is funded.
- Standard prescription charge: NZ$5 for each item. You pay for every item on a new prescription. You do not pay again for repeats on the same prescription.↗
- No prescription charge: Children aged 13 and under; Community Services Card (CSC) holders and the dependent children of CSC holders; people aged 65 and over; Prescription Subsidy Card (PSC) holders.↗
- Dental care under 18: The government pays for dental care for children and teenagers. For advice and appointments, call Talk Teeth on 0800 825 583 (0800 TALK TEETH).↗
- Adult dental care: After 18, you pay for most dental care yourself. Private dentists do not have set prices.↗
What if I am injured in an accident (ACC)?
Injured in an accident: ACC cover
You can apply for ACC whoever caused the injury; your doctor or physio lodges the claim for you.
- Who can apply: Everyone in New Zealand can apply, whatever their age, whether or not they work, and whether they live in New Zealand or are visiting↗
- No-fault scheme: You can apply whether you caused the injury yourself or someone else caused it↗
- How to apply: See a GP or another treatment provider and ask them to lodge an ACC claim for you↗
- Hospital emergency care: If you need emergency treatment in hospital because of an accident, ACC pays the cost↗
Where do I get help in an emergency or for mental health?
Emergency numbers and getting help
In a life-threatening emergency, call the emergency number.
- Emergency number (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 111. When the call is answered, you will be asked if you need Police, Fire or Ambulance↗
Getting help for your mental health
If you feel anxious or low, you can call or text for free support.
Common questions
How does seeing a doctor work in New Zealand?
Check your eligibility for public health care, then enrol with a GP clinic. When you are unwell, see your GP or call Healthline; in an emergency, call 111. Cost to enrol: Enrolling with a GP clinic is free. The clinic may charge a fee each time you visit. Healthline: 0800 611 116. Free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How does health cover work in New Zealand?
New Zealand has publicly funded health care and ACC accident cover for everyone. Private health insurance is a commercial product and is not covered on this site. Health care: For most people with resident visas who live in New Zealand, health and disability services are funded. People on temporary visas may still get some services in some situations. If you are not eligible, you can still use health services, but you will need to pay. Who can apply: Everyone in New Zealand can apply, whatever their age, whether or not they work, and whether they live in New Zealand or are visiting.
Can I get public health care on a work visa?
It depends on how long your visa lets you stay in New Zealand. 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.
Does it cost anything to enrol with a GP, and how long does it take?
Enrolling is free, but do it while you are well. Cost to enrol: Enrolling with a GP clinic is free. The clinic may charge a fee each time you visit. How long enrolment takes: Enrolment can take up to 3 months to complete, so enrol while you are still well.
How much do prescription medicines cost in New Zealand?
Most people pay a standard fee per item, and some people pay nothing. Standard prescription charge: NZ$5 for each item. You pay for every item on a new prescription. You do not pay again for repeats on the same prescription. No prescription charge: Children aged 13 and under; Community Services Card (CSC) holders and the dependent children of CSC holders; people aged 65 and over; Prescription Subsidy Card (PSC) holders.
Do I pay for treatment if I am injured in an accident?
You can apply for ACC cover, whoever caused the injury. No-fault scheme: You can apply whether you caused the injury yourself or someone else caused it. Hospital emergency care: If you need emergency treatment in hospital because of an accident, ACC pays the cost. Other treatment costs: ACC usually pays part of other treatment costs, for example surgery, physiotherapy and medicines.
Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.
Which guides and official sources is this based on?
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.
How much it costs to live in New Zealand depends mostly on where you live: houses in big cities like Auckland and Wellington cost much more than in smaller places like Invercargill. Rent is usually charged weekly, and the bond can be up to 4 weeks' rent. To work out your costs, add up housing, food, transport, health care and utilities. Immigration New Zealand asks student visa applicants to show at least NZ$20,000 a year for living costs (tuition is extra), which is a useful official benchmark.
Most people in New Zealand pay NZ$5 for each prescription item. Children, older people and some cardholders pay nothing. If you pay for 20 items in a year, you can get a Prescription Subsidy Card. Basic dental care is mostly free for eligible children and teenagers under 18. Adults usually pay for dental care themselves, but people on a low income can apply to Work and Income for help.
If you are injured in an accident in New Zealand, ACC can help pay for your treatment. Examples are a fall, a sprain, a car crash or an injury at work. If you cannot work, you may also get payments for lost income. ACC is a 'no-fault' scheme. Everyone in New Zealand can apply, including visitors. Usually your doctor makes the claim for you.
In New Zealand, call 111 if someone's life is in danger or a crime is happening now. When the call is answered, say if you need Police, Fire or Ambulance. For police matters that are not urgent, use 105. If you feel unwell and are not sure what to do, call Healthline. If you think someone has been poisoned, call the National Poisons Centre. Call 111 even if your English is not strong. Say the English name of your language to ask for language help.
You can get free help if you feel stressed, anxious or low, or if you are worried about someone else. The main service is 1737. You can call or text 1737 for free, and trained counsellors answer 24 hours a day. Many areas also have free mental health support services that you can contact without a referral. If someone is in danger right now, call 111.
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The AI answers using this guide and official New Zealand government websites.