International
Student insurance
International students are required to have appropriate medical and travel insurance while in New Zealand.
Medical and travel insurance
Medical and travel insurance coverage protects you from unexpected expenses related to health care, damaged or lost luggage, and travel disruptions. While insurance might seem costly, accidents and emergencies can be much more expensive.
As a requirement of your visa, international students must have current medical and travel insurance that covers the duration of your study period in New Zealand.
Our International Admissions Office will arrange insurance for you and include the cost in your Offer of Place, unless you contact us to discuss alternative arrangements.
Once your insurance is set up, make sure to familiarise yourself with your plan so that you know what is covered and how to claim back your expenses.
If you are studying in Dunedin or Central Otago
Our insurance provider is Uni-Care. You can learn more by emailing international@op.ac.nz.
Fees for Uni-Care medical and travel insurance
One year $650
One semester $380
If you are studying at our Auckland campus
Please contact the Auckland campus directly for your insurance options at auckland@op.ac.nz.
If you want to arrange your own insurance
Students who choose their own insurance company must make sure their plan meets minimum standards, which you can find in The Code of Practice. Before you arrive, we will need to see and approve a copy of your insurance plan in English, otherwise insurance will be arranged on your behalf and included in the cost of your Offer of Place.
Eligibility for public health services
Most international students on student visas are not eligible for publicly funded health services in New Zealand. If you need medical treatment, you may have to pay the full cost. That’s why having comprehensive medical insurance is essential. For full details on health service entitlements, visit Immigration New Zealand webpage Who can get public health care or the Health New Zealand website
Accident Insurance
If you're injured in an accident while in New Zealand, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) may help cover treatment costs even if you're not a resident. This includes international students. However, ACC does not cover illness, ongoing medical care, or travel-related issues, so you’ll still need comprehensive medical insurance. For more details, visit the ACC website.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, medical and travel insurance is a requirement for all international students.
What if I already have medical and travel insurance?
Get in touch with a copy of your insurance plan in English, and we can let you know if it meets the requirements.
Insurance providers will usually have a number to call for urgent or emergency situations. You can save that number in your phone in case you need it.
Generally, it is best to get in touch with your insurance provider as soon as possible after an emergency. Make sure you get copies of any invoices or receipts related to medical costs so that you can claim your expenses.
When you have insurance, you might pay for a service up front and then get your money reimbursed by the insurance provider. Asking for a payment to be reimbursed is called ‘making a claim’.
It is important to understand how your insurance provider wants you to make your claims, and what documentation they require as proof, so that you can successfully get your money back when an expense is covered.