|
New Zealand citizens are entitled to a wide range of free and government-subsidised healthcare, including hospital and doctor services, free public hospital treatment and free 24-hour accident and emergency clinics.
The government also funds subsidies for visits to the local doctor and prescriptions for young children, people who require frequent healthcare and those on low incomes.
The following information on eligibility for publicly funded health and disability services in New Zealand originates from the NZ Ministry of Health Web Page:
"Guide to Eligibility for Publicly Funded Health and Disability Services in New Zealand"
Eligibility quick guide table
Category
Eligibility criteria requirements
Services provided
New Zealand citizen
New Zealand citizens (including those living in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau who visit New Zealand on a temporary basis and those born in New Zealand)
All services
Resident in New Zealand
New Zealand permanent residents
All services
Work Permit Holders
Hold a current work permit which, together with the time the person has already been in New Zealand lawfully, allows for a continuous stay of at least two years
All services
Australians resident in New Zealand
An Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia who can demonstrate an intention to remain in New Zealand for two years or more
All services
Overseas students funded by Official Development Assistance Programme
Students funded by the NZAID ODA programme; their partners, and their children under the age of 18 years
All services
Commonwealth Scholarship students
Students funded by New Zealand universities or NZAID as a postgraduate Commonwealth Scholarship holder.
All services
Foreign Language Teaching Assistants Scheme
Teachers funded by the Ministry of Education's Foreign Language teaching Assistantship Scheme
All services
Refugees and applicant refugees
Eligible with proof of refugee/applicant refugee status
All services
Australian resident on a temporary visit to New Zealand
Hold an Australian passport and have Australian residency
'Immediately necessary medical treatment' as specified in the New Zealand/Australia Reciprocal Health Agreement
United Kingdom citizens who are living in the UK and who visit New Zealand on a temporary basis
Hold a United Kingdom passport and be a UK national
Urgent medical treatment as specified in the New Zealand/UK Reciprocal Health Agreement
Children in the care and control of an eligible person
The parent or legal guardian must be eligible as a citizen, resident, Australian,student or visitor and the child(ren) must be lawfully present in New Zealand and be under the age of 18 years. Eligible work permit holders can pass on eligibility to dependant child(ren) 19 years of age and under.
All services
Persons receiving compulsory treatment
Compulsory treatment under any of the Tuberculosis Act 1948, Health Act 1956, Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966, and the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992
Only eligible for specified services under the appropriate Act
Prison inmate or individual on remand in prison custody
Passport and/or permit status not relevant. Length of stay not relevant
Only eligible for services not provided by the prison health system
People who suffer injury through an accident in New Zealand
Injury must happen in New Zealand and be accepted by ACC as falling under the ACC legislation. Level of assistance depends on the type of injury/treatment required.
Accident-related personal health services for a specified injury. May have some ability to receive assistance directly from ACC for other services
Individuals eligible under previous Direction who retain eligibility
Category
Eligibility criteria requirements
Services provided
Student or visitor permit holder eligible under 2000 Eligibility Direction
At 30 October 2003:
• holds a current student or visitor permit which, together with the time the person has already been in New Zealand lawfully, allows for a continuous stay of at least two years; or
• holds a student permit of at least 12 months and evidence of enrolment on an New Zealand course of study of at least two years; and is granted consecutive visas to remain or re-enter New Zealand;
and
• has been granted consecutive permits to remain or re-enter New Zealand
All service
Disclaimer
This information is intended as a guide only. Every effort has been made to ensure that it is accurate. However, in the event of any dispute, Government policy and legislation, including the 2003 Eligibility Direction itself, will take precedence."
|
