How Does Health Insurance Work for Students in New Zealand?
Every international student on a New Zealand student visa must hold medical and travel insurance — it is a condition of the visa, and the policy must meet the Code of Practice and be accepted by your education provider. For 2026, Studentsafe Inbound University, the default plan at several universities, costs NZD 899 for 12 months (NZD 999 in 2027); alternatives such as OrbitProtect Lite (NZD 669/year), Uni-Care (NZD 724/year) and OrbitProtect Prime (NZD 786/year) need your provider’s approval. On top of that, New Zealand’s ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) covers everyone injured in an accident in the country — including international students — with no enrolment. This dual system means your private insurance covers illness, GP visits and travel, while ACC helps pay for accidental injuries such as broken bones, sports injuries and car accidents from day one.
International students study at universities such as Auckland, Otago, Victoria University of Wellington and Canterbury. Because student visa holders are generally not eligible for publicly funded health care, insurance matters more in New Zealand than in many other study destinations. This guide explains the ACC system, the insurance requirements under the Code of Practice, the main student plans, prices, and what happens when you actually need medical care. For visa rules and cost of living, see the complete New Zealand country guide.
ACC: New Zealand’s No-Fault Accident Cover
ACC is the single biggest thing that sets New Zealand apart from other study destinations. It is a government-run, no-fault scheme that covers everyone injured in an accident in New Zealand — citizens, residents, visitors and international students.
What ACC Covers
| Category | Covered? |
|---|---|
| Sports injuries (rugby, skiing, hiking) | Yes |
| Car accidents | Yes |
| Falls, fractures, cuts | Yes |
| Workplace injuries | Yes |
| Assault-related injuries | Yes |
| Treatment and surgery for accidents | ACC helps pay — you may pay part of the cost |
| Rehabilitation and physiotherapy | ACC helps pay — you may pay part of the cost |
| Weekly compensation (if you cannot work) | Up to 80% of your pre-injury earnings, if you were working |
| Dental injuries from accidents | Yes (not decay or wear and tear) |
What ACC Does NOT Cover
- Illness (flu, infections, chronic conditions)
- Mental health conditions (except mental injury caused by a covered physical injury, sexual abuse or certain traumatic events at work)
- Dental decay or non-accident dental work
- Conditions not caused by an accident
- GP visits for illness
- Emergency travel back home, injuries while getting on or off your plane, and treatment after you return home
How ACC Works in Practice
You do not register, enrol, or pay a premium for ACC. It is funded through levies paid by employers, workers and vehicle owners. From the moment you arrive in New Zealand, you are covered for accidents.
Example: A student at the University of Otago breaks her wrist on a weekend hike near Queenstown. She goes to the emergency department, gets an X-ray, a cast and follow-up physiotherapy. ACC pays the emergency department and helps pay for her follow-up care — some providers may charge her a part of the cost. Two weeks later she catches a bad flu and visits a GP. That is illness, not an accident, so she pays the GP fee and claims it back from her private insurance.
There is one important trade-off: in return for no-fault cover, you generally cannot sue anyone for compensation for an injury covered by ACC. Instead, you get help with treatment regardless of who was at fault.
Mandatory Insurance: The Code of Practice
Medical and travel insurance is a condition of the student visa, and the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 sets what that insurance must cover. Education providers must ensure, as far as practicable, that international learners enrolled for 2 weeks or longer hold appropriate insurance — and they check your policy before you can enrol.
Minimum Coverage Requirements
Your insurance policy must cover:
- Medical care in New Zealand
- Travel to, from and within New Zealand
- Repatriation (getting you home in a medical emergency)
- Death
- Your whole stay — the intent is that you are covered from the day you leave your home country until you return home
What Happens If You Do Not Have Insurance?
- Holding acceptable medical and travel insurance is a condition of your student visa — breaching a visa condition can affect your visa
- Your education provider can’t enrol you without insurance it accepts, and it checks your cover rather than relying on a declaration alone
- Without insurance you pay all non-accident medical costs yourself — student visa holders are generally not eligible for publicly funded health care, so a hospital stay for an illness is billed at full cost
This is not optional or flexible: Immigration New Zealand makes medical and travel insurance a condition of every student visa.
For more on the documents you need for a student visa, see our visa and insurance documentation guide.
The Main Student Insurance Plans
Many universities enrol you in their preferred plan — often Studentsafe Inbound University — and add the premium to your fees, unless you arrange approved alternative insurance. Plans such as Uni-Care and OrbitProtect can replace the default plan if your provider accepts them. Prices as of October 2026.
1. Studentsafe Inbound University (Allianz Partners)
- Annual cost: NZD 899 for 12 months in 2026 (NZD 999 in 2027)
- One semester: NZD 449.50 (2026)
- Best for: Students whose university uses it as the default plan — for example Auckland, Canterbury, Massey, Waikato and Victoria University of Wellington
- Covers: Unlimited medical and related expenses with no excess on medical claims, mental illness up to NZD 20,000, emergency dental up to NZD 500, optical up to NZD 200, repatriation, luggage and personal liability
- Good to know: Pre-existing conditions are covered only if you declare them and the insurer accepts them after a medical assessment. At some campus health centres (for example Auckland and Canterbury), covered consultations are billed directly to the insurer.
2. Uni-Care NZ Student Plan
- Annual cost: NZD 724/year
- Best for: Students who want an alternative to their university’s default plan
- Covers: Unlimited medical expenses for illness or injury with no excess on medical claims, mental illness up to NZD 20,000, emergency dental treatment (within the policy terms), optical up to NZD 300 (policies of 6+ months), unlimited evacuation and repatriation, luggage up to NZD 15,000
- Good to know: For student visa holders aged up to 60. Pre-existing conditions only on application, for an extra premium. Your education provider must accept it as an alternative.
3. OrbitProtect International Student — Prime
- Annual cost: NZD 786/year
- One month: NZD 103
- Best for: Students who want luggage cover and cashless GP visits
- Covers: Unlimited medical expenses with no excess on medical claims, mental illness up to NZD 20,000, emergency dental up to NZD 500 (NZD 1,500 for dental injuries covered by ACC), optical up to NZD 250, evacuation and repatriation, personal effects up to NZD 10,000
- Good to know: The OrbitPay card pays approved GPs and pharmacies directly, so you don’t pay upfront.
4. OrbitProtect International Student — Lite
- Annual cost: NZD 669/year
- One month: NZD 76
- Best for: The lowest annual price among the plans on this page
- Covers: The same unlimited medical cover as Prime with no excess on medical claims, plus the OrbitPay card
- Limitations: No automatic luggage cover — items can be added for an extra premium
Plan Comparison at a Glance
| Plan | Annual Cost (2026) | GP Visits | Medical Expenses | Emergency Dental | Mental Health | Repatriation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studentsafe Inbound University | NZD 899 | Pay and claim (direct billing at some campus clinics) | Unlimited, no excess | Up to NZD 500 | Up to NZD 20,000 | Yes |
| Uni-Care NZ Student Plan | NZD 724 | Covered | Unlimited, no excess | Within policy terms | Up to NZD 20,000 | Unlimited |
| OrbitProtect Prime | NZD 786 | Covered (OrbitPay card) | Unlimited, no excess | Up to NZD 500 | Up to NZD 20,000 | Yes |
| OrbitProtect Lite | NZD 669 | Covered (OrbitPay card) | Unlimited, no excess | Up to NZD 500 | Up to NZD 20,000 | Yes |
See all plans and their details on our New Zealand student health insurance page.
What Does Student Insurance Actually Cover?
Understanding the difference between what ACC covers (accidents) and what your private insurance covers (everything else) is the key to navigating healthcare in NZ.
Your Private Insurance Covers
- GP visits: As a student visa holder you pay the full fee. Your insurance reimburses covered visits; some campus health centres bill the insurer directly, and OrbitProtect’s OrbitPay card pays approved GPs.
- Specialist consultations: Usually need a referral from your GP. Covered as medical expenses by the plans above.
- Hospital stays for illness: Pneumonia, appendicitis, infections — not accident-related, so not ACC. Your insurance pays.
- Prescriptions: You pay the full cost at the pharmacy and claim it back — or pay with the OrbitPay card where it is accepted.
- Mental health: All plans above cover mental illness up to NZD 20,000. OrbitProtect requires a referral and diagnosis by a registered psychologist or psychiatrist. Check your policy for the details.
- Repatriation: If you need to return home for medical reasons or in the worst case, your insurance covers transport.
What Is Typically NOT Covered (or Limited)
- Dental (routine): Check-ups, cleanings and fillings are not covered. Emergency dental is limited (for example NZD 500 with Studentsafe and OrbitProtect). Dental injuries from accidents fall under ACC.
- Optical: Limited — NZD 200 with Studentsafe, NZD 250 with OrbitProtect, NZD 300 with Uni-Care (policies of 6+ months).
- Pre-existing conditions: Not covered automatically. You can apply for cover — the insurer assesses your condition and may charge an extra premium (OrbitProtect charges a NZD 45 assessment fee). Disclose everything when applying — non-disclosure can void your policy. Education providers may still enrol you, but costs for excluded conditions are your responsibility.
- Cosmetic treatment: Not covered.
- Pregnancy: Cover differs between plans — read the policy wording before you rely on it.
Example: A student at Victoria University of Wellington, insured with Studentsafe, visits a GP for a persistent cough. He pays the fee and claims it back. The GP refers him for a chest X-ray, which the policy also covers as a medical expense. A routine dental check-up, however, is not covered — he pays that himself.
Who Pays for What in New Zealand
Because student visa holders are generally not eligible for publicly funded health care, you pay the full fee for most services and claim it back from your insurer. Here is who pays for what:
| Service | Cost for Student Visa Holders | Who Pays? |
|---|---|---|
| GP visit | Full fee, set by each practice | You pay, insurance reimburses |
| After-hours clinic | Full fee | You pay, insurance reimburses |
| Emergency department (accident) | Paid by ACC | ACC |
| Emergency department (illness) | Billed afterwards | Insurance |
| Hospital stay (accident) | ACC helps pay | ACC |
| Hospital stay (illness) | Full cost | Insurance |
| Prescription | Full cost | You pay, insurance reimburses |
| Specialist consultation | Full fee | Insurance, usually with a GP referral |
| Dental check-up | Full fee | You pay (not covered by student plans) |
| Ambulance | Varies by region | ACC if accident; insurance if illness |
How to Keep Costs Down
- Use your campus health centre. Some, such as those at Auckland and Canterbury, bill Studentsafe directly for covered consultations.
- See a GP as a casual patient. International students can’t enrol with a GP under the public funding system, but practices can see you as a casual patient.
- Always get a GP referral before seeing a specialist. Without a referral, your insurance may not reimburse.
- Claim everything. Keep receipts and submit claims promptly — many insurers accept claims online.
- Use the OrbitPay card if you have OrbitProtect. Approved GPs and pharmacies are paid directly, so you don’t pay upfront.
For practical tips on filing claims, read our guide to filing health insurance claims.
Step-by-Step: Getting Insured and Set Up
Before You Leave Home
- Accept your Offer of Place from an education provider that has signed the Code of Practice.
- Arrange compliant insurance. Many universities enrol you in Studentsafe automatically. If you prefer another plan such as Uni-Care or OrbitProtect, have it approved by your provider first.
- Keep your insurance documents ready. In your visa application you declare that you will hold insurance acceptable to your provider — keep your policy certificate at hand in case Immigration New Zealand or your provider asks for it.
- Apply for your student visa through Immigration New Zealand at least 3 months before you travel. Include your Offer of Place, proof that your tuition fees are paid, financial evidence (NZD 20,000 per year, or NZD 1,667 per month if you study for less than a year), and your passport.
First Week in New Zealand
- ACC is active immediately. No action needed — you are covered for accidents from the moment you arrive.
- Find a GP or use your campus health centre. Ask your university’s international student office for recommendations near campus.
- Get your campus health centre login. Many universities have an online booking system.
First Month
- Open a NZ bank account to make insurance claims easier (reimbursements go to your local account).
- Download your insurer’s app and familiarise yourself with the claims process.
- Save the emergency number: 111 (ambulance, fire, police). For non-urgent health advice, call Healthline: 0800 611 116 (free, 24/7).
Can You Use Insurance From Your Home Country?
Only if your education provider accepts it as meeting the Code of Practice. Your policy must:
- Cover medical care in New Zealand
- Cover travel to, from and within New Zealand
- Include repatriation and cover in case of death
- Be valid for your whole enrolment — ideally from the day you leave home until you return
- Be checkable by your provider, which reviews the policy wording itself
In practice, many home-country policies miss at least one of these points. Many universities default to their own plan because it simplifies compliance checks. If you want to use an existing policy, get written confirmation from your university’s international office that it is accepted (some universities call this an insurance waiver) before you fly.
New Zealand vs. Other Study Destinations
How does NZ compare with other popular countries for student healthcare?
| Feature | New Zealand | Australia | UK | Germany |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory student insurance | Yes (visa condition, Code of Practice) | Yes (OSHC) | No (NHS + IHS fee) | Yes (GKV or PKV) |
| Government accident cover | ACC (no-fault, all accidents) | No ACC-style scheme | No separate scheme (NHS treats injuries) | GKV covers accidents |
| Annual insurance cost (2026) | NZD 669–899 | AUD 665–726 (single OSHC) | IHS £776/year | ~€141/month (GKV) |
| GP visit cost | Full fee, reimbursed by insurance | Part-covered by OSHC (a gap is possible) | Free (NHS) | Free (with GKV) |
| Prescription cost | Full cost, reimbursed by insurance | OSHC pays up to per-item and yearly limits | £9.90/item in England (free in Scotland, Wales, NI) | €5–10/item |
| Dental included | Emergency only (limits apply) | Not in basic OSHC (extras add-ons from some insurers) | NHS dental (charged) | Basic included (GKV) |
| Emergency cover | ACC (accidents), insurance (illness) | OSHC | NHS | GKV/PKV |
New Zealand’s ACC system is genuinely unique. No other major study destination gives every person — including short-term visitors — automatic no-fault accident cover. The trade-off is that GP visits are not free for international students, unlike the UK or Germany.
For a detailed comparison of Australia’s system, see our OSHC guide for Australia.
Mental Health Support
Mental health coverage varies between insurance plans, but all students in New Zealand have access to support:
Through Your University
- Campus counselling: New Zealand universities run counselling services for their students — ask which sessions are free for you.
- Student health centre: GPs at campus clinics can prescribe medication and refer to specialists.
- Peer support programmes: Some universities run trained student-led support groups.
Through Your Insurance
All four plans on this page cover the treatment of mental illness up to NZD 20,000. Depending on the policy wording, this can include:
- Psychologist or counsellor sessions after a referral
- Psychiatric consultations
- Prescription medication for mental health conditions
OrbitProtect pays when the condition is referred and diagnosed by a registered psychologist or psychiatrist. Check your policy wording for the exact conditions.
Free Community Resources
- 1737: Free call or text for support from a trained counsellor (24/7)
- Healthline: 0800 611 116 (24/7, free)
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 or free text 234 (for young people)
- University wellbeing teams: Available during semester
Example: A student at the University of Auckland feels overwhelmed during the exam period. She starts with the university’s counselling service, and when she needs ongoing treatment from a psychologist, she claims it under her Studentsafe plan’s mental illness benefit (up to NZD 20,000), within the policy terms.
For more on this topic, read our guide on mental health coverage for international students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ACC and do I need to register?
ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) is New Zealand’s no-fault accident insurance. It covers everyone injured in an accident in the country — citizens, residents, visitors and students. You do not register or pay a premium. ACC helps pay for treatment, surgery, rehabilitation and physiotherapy (you may pay part of some costs), and can pay weekly compensation of up to 80% of your earnings if you were working and can’t work because of the injury. It does not cover illness, emergency travel home or treatment after you return home — your private insurance covers illness and non-accident medical needs.
How much does student health insurance cost in New Zealand?
For 2026, Studentsafe Inbound University costs NZD 899 for 12 months (NZD 999 in 2027). Among the alternatives, OrbitProtect Lite costs NZD 669/year, Uni-Care NZD 724/year and OrbitProtect Prime NZD 786/year (as of October 2026). Whichever plan you choose, your education provider must accept it.
Can I use my home country’s insurance instead?
Only if your education provider accepts it as meeting the Code of Practice: it must cover medical care in New Zealand, travel to, from and within New Zealand, repatriation and death, for your whole enrolment. Many home-country policies do not meet all criteria. Check with your university’s international office before relying on an existing policy.
Are GP visits free for international students?
No. Student visa holders are generally not eligible for publicly funded health care, so they pay the full fee for GP visits and can’t enrol with a practice under the public system. Your insurance reimburses covered visits; some campus health centres bill the insurer directly, and OrbitProtect’s OrbitPay card pays approved GPs.
What about dental coverage?
Student plans cover emergency dental treatment rather than routine check-ups: Studentsafe and OrbitProtect pay up to NZD 500 (OrbitProtect NZD 1,500 for dental injuries covered by ACC), and Uni-Care covers emergency dental treatment within its policy terms. Routine check-ups and fillings are paid out of pocket. Dental injuries from accidents fall under ACC — if you chip a tooth playing rugby, ACC helps pay.
What happens if I get injured playing sport?
ACC covers it. Whether it is rugby, skiing, surfing, or hiking, ACC helps pay for treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation — some providers may charge you part of the cost. If you were working and can’t work because of the injury, ACC can also pay weekly compensation of up to 80% of your earnings.
What is the emergency number in New Zealand?
111 — for ambulance, fire, and police. For non-urgent health advice, call Healthline: 0800 611 116 (free, 24/7, interpreters available for up to 150 languages).
Can I switch insurance providers during my studies?
Yes, as long as the new policy meets the Code of Practice, your education provider accepts it and there is no gap in cover. Ask your university’s international office before switching, and check the refund rules of your current policy.
Get Covered for Your Studies in New Zealand
New Zealand’s dual protection system — ACC for accidents plus mandatory private insurance for illness — gives international students a safety net that few other countries match. ACC alone is a major advantage: no-fault help with treatment costs for any accidental injury, with no registration needed. Your job is to hold the right private insurance plan for everything else.
Start with your university’s default plan — Studentsafe costs NZD 899 for 12 months in 2026. If you prefer an alternative and your provider approves it, OrbitProtect Lite (NZD 669/year), Uni-Care (NZD 724/year) and OrbitProtect Prime (NZD 786/year) all offer unlimited medical cover with no excess on medical claims.
Ready to compare options? See our complete New Zealand country guide for visa requirements and cost of living, or use our insurance comparison tool to find the right plan.
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