Most hospital treatment is free for those eligible for healthcare services. There are some exceptions, like some kinds of cosmetic surgery. Nobody can be refused emergency care if they are unable to pay.
You will always be received as a patient if you need acute or emergency care and go to a hospital. The following publicly funded services are free of charge for eligible people: inpatient and outpatient treatment at a public hospital.
New Zealand has reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom (UK). Under each, certain services may be publicly funded for people covered by the agreements. Those services may be funded to the same extent as for a national of the country they're visiting or staying in temporarily.
Everyone in New Zealand, including visitors, tourists, and expats, is entitled to free medical care for accidental injuries. This is known as the ACC or Accident Compensation Corporation program. It is an important part of healthcare in New Zealand.
Citizens and permanent residents of Australia (who do not have certain criminal convictions) may visit, live and work in New Zealand indefinitely.
Documents you need if you're a New Zealand citizen
You need to provide documents that prove your identity and residency. You can enrol in Medicare if you're a New Zealand citizen.
Under the Agreement the following benefits and pensions are available to former Australian residents living in New Zealand: age pension. disability support pension (this normally applies if you are severely disabled) carer payment in respect of the partner of a person who is in receipt of a disability support pension.
Hospital treatment
New Zealand citizens and permanent residents of New Zealand (prior to arriving in Australia) who are temporarily visiting Australia can get free emergency treatment at an Australian public hospital under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement .
You can bring most of your personal medication into New Zealand. However, occasionally medications brought in from overseas, even on prescription, may not be approved in New Zealand.
Most treatment in public hospitals is free for all Australian citizens and most permanent residents. These costs are mainly paid for by Medicare. You will not have to pay for hospital clinical services, doctors' and specialists' fees, medication, hospital accommodation and operating theatre fees.
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.
A number of chemotherapy drugs (for both early stage and metastatic bowel cancer) are publicaly funded in New Zealand by government funding agency PHARMAC. These are available to patients at no charge.
In the first instance, patients returning home from a hospital or hospice are eligible, on the recommendation of their health professional (OT, District Nurse, or physio, for example), for short-term free use of a specialist bed.
Emergency ambulance services are funded by Te Whatu Ora (for medical patients) and ACC (for injured patients). The balance is funded through donations, fundraising and, in the case of St John, charging people who use an ambulance for a small part of the cost (this only applies to medical patients).
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand. If you are an Australian permanent resident you will need an NZeTA.
There is a common misconception that this reciprocal health agreement means that New Zealanders don't need travel insurance when visiting Australia. This is not the case. Emergency hospital treatment can quickly become extremely expensive, especially when it causes disruptions to your travel plans.
NZ citizens don't get automatic permanent residency or citizenship in Australia.
Australia has an agreement with New Zealand to share responsibility for social security coverage. Under this agreement you may be able to claim a: Centrelink payment if you live in Australia but are visiting New Zealand. Centrelink payment if you live in New Zealand.
If you're moving to Australia on or after 1 July 2017, there may be changes to your New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran's Pension payment. You can continue to get your New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) or Veteran's Pension payments for up to 26 weeks (inclusive) after you leave New Zealand.
Current residence criteria
Currently, to get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension, you must have lived in NZ for at least 10 years since you turned 20. The 10 or more years must include 5 years since you turned 50.
If you're a New Zealand citizen living in Australia you may be eligible to get Centrelink payments or concession cards.
New Zealanders can apply to become Australian citizens . From 1 July 2023, New Zealand citizens who have been living in Australia for four years or more will be eligible to apply directly for Australian citizenship. They will no longer need to first apply for and be granted a permanent visa.
You must notify the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) if you plan to move overseas for six months (183 days) or more in a twelve-month period. You must do this within 7 days from the date of leaving Australia. Update your contact details via myGov.