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Eligibility for Publicly Funded Health and Disability Services

The Eligibility Direction


The Eligibility Direction describes the groups of people who are eligible for publicly funded (ie, free or subsidised) health and disability services in New Zealand.

To be eligible for publicly funded health and disability services you must be lawfully in New Zealand and meet one of the Eligibility Direction's specified criteria.

To see whether you meet the specifed eligibility criteria go to the Guide to Eligibility.

If you are not eligible for publicly funded health and disability services in New Zealand, you are liable to be charged for the full costs of any medical treatment you receive during your visit.

Comprehensive and medical insurance is strongly recommended for all people who are not eligible for publicly funded health and disability services.

Please note, the Reciprocal Health Agreements with Australia and the UK only cover health services that are required urgently and do not remove the need for medical/travel insurance.

View a plain language version of the Eligibility Direction below:

View the orginal Eligibility Direction in full text online or PDF format below:


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Page last updated: 29 January 2009
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