International Student Insurance and the Code of Practice in New Zealand (2026)

## Quick Facts What international students need to know about insurance and the Code of Practice in New Zealand in 2026: 1. The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 is a legally binding document that sets out the obligations of New Zealand education providers toward international students. All providers enrolling international students must be signatories. 2. Every international student on a Fee Paying Student Visa must hold approved medical and travel insurance for the entire duration of their stay in New Zealand — this is both a visa condition and a Code requirement. 3. The Code covers pastoral care broadly — not just insurance, but also accommodation, wellbeing, safety, orientation, and complaint procedures. Providers must have a designated international student support person or team. 4. Insurance must cover: medical treatment (including hospitalisation), emergency dental care, medical evacuation and repatriation, and repatriation of remains. Standard travel insurance that covers only accidents but not illness does not meet the standard. 5. Insurance premiums for international students in New Zealand typically range from NZD $500 to $800 per year depending on coverage level and provider — this is a mandatory cost on top of tuition and living expenses. 6. The Code gives international students enforceable rights. If a provider fails in its obligations, students can complain to NZQA or, in the case of universities, to the institution's own complaints body and ultimately the Tertiary Education Disputes Resolution scheme. 7. The Code was significantly strengthened in 2021, with the most recent version placing greater emphasis on mental health support, culturally appropriate care, and transparent fee protection. ## The Code of Practice Explained The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021, commonly known as the Code, is the regulatory framework that governs how New Zealand education providers must treat their international students. It is not optional — it is law, issued under Section 534 of the Education and Training Act 2020. The Code was introduced in 2002 and has been updated several times, with the 2021 version being the most comprehensive iteration. It applies to all education providers that enrol international students: universities, Te Pūkenga institutes, private training establishments (PTEs), English language schools, and secondary schools. The Code's core purpose is to ensure that international students are well-informed, safe, and properly cared for during their time in New Zealand. It covers the entire student lifecycle: 1. Marketing and recruitment. Providers must give prospective students accurate information about programmes, fees, living costs, and visa requirements before enrolment. Deceptive or misleading marketing is a breach of the Code. 2. Offers and enrolment. The offer of place must be clear about all costs, programme requirements, and the insurance requirement. The student must sign a formal enrolment contract. 3. Orientation. Upon arrival, providers must deliver a comprehensive orientation covering: academic expectations, health and safety, accommodation options, support services, complaint procedures, visa compliance obligations, and cultural adjustment. 4. Ongoing pastoral care. Throughout the student's enrolment, the provider must monitor academic progress and attendance, provide access to health and counselling services, maintain safe accommodation records, and have a named international student support contact available. 5. Completion and transition. When a student completes or leaves their programme, the provider must provide information about post-study options, including further study, post-study work visas, and departure requirements. ## Insurance Requirements Under the Code The Code sets specific standards for acceptable insurance. A policy that meets the Code must cover: 1. Medical and hospital care. Full coverage for doctor visits, specialist consultations, hospitalisation, surgery, diagnostic tests, and prescription medication. Pre-existing conditions may be excluded, and students should check their policy carefully for any exclusions. 2. Emergency dental treatment. Coverage for acute dental pain relief and emergency procedures. Routine check-ups, fillings, and orthodontics are not required by the Code and are typically not covered. 3. Medical evacuation. If you need treatment that cannot be provided in New Zealand, the policy must cover the cost of transporting you to your home country or another location where appropriate care is available. 4. Repatriation of remains. In the tragic event of death, the policy must cover the cost of returning your body to your home country. 5. Personal liability. Coverage if you cause accidental injury or property damage to a third party. 6. Travel and personal effects. While not always mandatory, most policies include cover for trip cancellation, lost baggage, and personal belongings. Students can purchase insurance through their education provider (many providers have preferred or mandatory arrangements), through a New Zealand insurance company, or through an overseas insurer — provided the policy meets the Code standards. If you purchase insurance independently, you must confirm in writing that the policy meets the Code requirements. Your provider may require you to submit the policy document for verification. A comprehensive international student insurance policy in New Zealand typically costs NZD $500-$800 per year for a single student. Family policies covering a partner and children are more expensive. Students should budget for this as a mandatory expense alongside tuition and living costs. ## Pastoral Care: Beyond Insurance The Code's pastoral care obligations go well beyond insurance. Here is what your education provider must do for you: 1. Designated support staff. Every provider must have a named person or team responsible for international student welfare. This person is your first point of contact for any problem — academic, personal, health-related, or financial. 2. Accommodation oversight. If you are under 18, the provider must approve your accommodation arrangements in advance. For all students, the provider must check that your accommodation is safe and suitable, and must keep records of where you are living. 3. Health and wellbeing services. Providers must ensure international students have access to health services, including mental health support. Most universities offer free or low-cost on-campus counselling. The Code now specifically requires culturally appropriate support — recognising that international students' wellbeing needs may differ from those of domestic students. 4. Academic monitoring. Providers must track your attendance and academic progress and intervene early if you are struggling. This is both a support obligation and a compliance obligation to INZ. 5. Complaint and dispute resolution. If you have a problem — with your programme, your accommodation, an academic decision, or how you have been treated — your provider must have a clear, accessible complaint process. Complaints must be investigated and resolved within a reasonable timeframe. If you are not satisfied, you can escalate to an external body. 6. Fee protection. If your provider closes or loses its registration before you complete your programme, your tuition fees must be protected through a government-mandated fee protection mechanism. The specific mechanism depends on the provider type, but all providers must have one. ## Your Rights as an International Student Under New Zealand law and the Code, you have specific enforceable rights: 1. The right to accurate information. Before you enrol, you must be given clear, truthful information about: the programme content and outcomes, all fees and associated costs, the qualifications you will receive, the provider's facilities and support services, and your visa obligations. 2. The right to a safe learning environment. Your provider must take all reasonable steps to protect you from physical harm, harassment, discrimination, and exploitation. This extends to the classroom, campus, and any accommodation or work placement arranged through the provider. 3. The right to fair treatment. You cannot be unfairly treated because of your nationality, ethnicity, religion, or gender. New Zealand's Human Rights Act 1993 applies to all people in New Zealand, regardless of visa status. 4. The right to complain. You can complain about your provider without fear of retaliation. Your provider must take your complaint seriously, investigate it, and respond to you. 5. The right to privacy. Your personal information is protected under the Privacy Act 2020. Your provider can only collect and use information that is necessary for your education and visa compliance. 6. The right to refunds under specific circumstances. Under the Education and Training Act 2020, international students have statutory refund rights if a programme is cancelled, significantly altered, or if the provider ceases to offer it. ## What to Do If Something Goes Wrong If you believe your provider is not meeting its Code obligations: 1. Talk to your international student support team first. Most issues can be resolved at this level — misunderstandings about policies, requests for additional support, or complaints about a specific incident. 2. If unresolved, use the formal complaint process. Your provider is required to publish its complaint procedure. Put your complaint in writing, keep records of all communications, and give the provider a reasonable time to respond (typically 10-20 working days). 3. If still not satisfied, escalate. For universities, the final internal appeal body is usually the Vice-Chancellor's office or University Council. For private providers, the complaint can go to NZQA. You can also contact the Tertiary Education Disputes Resolution (TEDR) scheme, which provides free, independent dispute resolution. 4. As a last resort, contact NZQA. NZQA has the power to investigate and sanction providers that breach the Code. Sanctions can include conditions on the provider's registration, suspension from enrolling international students, or deregistration. ## FAQ ### Q1: Is the insurance offered by my university always the best option? Not necessarily, but it is the simplest. University-arranged insurance is guaranteed to meet the Code standards, and the premium is often added to your tuition invoice, making it easy to pay. Independent policies may be cheaper or offer different coverage, but you must verify they meet the Code. Compare coverage details, not just price. ### Q2: What does insurance NOT cover in New Zealand? Common exclusions include: pre-existing conditions (unless declared and accepted), routine dental and optical care, elective cosmetic procedures, injuries from high-risk activities (unless specifically covered), injuries covered by ACC (New Zealand's accident compensation scheme covers accidental injuries for everyone in New Zealand, including international students, so insurance does not duplicate this), and self-inflicted injuries. ### Q3: Does ACC replace the need for medical insurance? No. ACC covers only accidental injuries — it does not cover illness, disease, or routine medical care. If you get the flu, need surgery for appendicitis, or require treatment for a chronic condition, ACC does not apply. You need comprehensive medical insurance for illness coverage. ACC is a valuable supplement, not a substitute. ### Q4: What happens if my provider loses its Code signatory status? If a provider loses its signatory status, it can no longer enrol international students. Students already enrolled would typically be transferred to another provider or refunded under the fee protection mechanism. INZ would be notified, and student visas linked to that provider could be affected. This is rare but underscores the importance of choosing a provider with a strong track record. ## Sources - Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021: www.legislation.govt.nz - New Zealand Qualifications Authority — Code of Practice: www.nzqa.govt.nz - Education New Zealand — Study in New Zealand: www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz - Tertiary Education Disputes Resolution: www.tedr.org.nz - Accident Compensation Corporation: www.acc.co.nz - Privacy Act 2020 — Office of the Privacy Commissioner: www.privacy.org.nz