Keep getting payments if you move overseas

Let us know you’re going overseas

Let your recovery team know you’re going overseas as early as possible. Tell them when, where and how long you’re going for. We’ll set up any assessments you must have before you leave.

If you can’t talk to your recovery team, call our contact centre:

Contact us

How long you’ll receive payments if you’re moving overseas

We'll still support you if you're living overseas. You’ll keep getting payments as long as your overseas doctor confirms you need it.

Your injury must still prevent you from doing the type of job you would’ve done before you were injured.

When we’ll stop making payments

Your recovery team will always let you know if they’re looking at stopping your payments. We may stop your payments if, for example:

• you’re going back to work
• you haven’t been following your rehabilitation plan
• you haven’t kept your case owner updated on your progress.

Before you leave New Zealand

1. Update your rehabilitation plan

   You can carry on with your rehabilitation while you’re living overseas. We’ll work with you to find the best rehabilitation options and to update your rehabilitation plan.
   Your recovery team will talk to you about any assessments you may need before you leave.

2. Make sure you get a letter for your overseas health provider

   Your recovery team will give you a letter to give to your overseas health provider. This is the medical certificates for overseas clients (OCU01) and explains what information we need from you.

3. Ask your health provider for your medical records

   Take your medical records with you if you can. This will help your new health provider get familiar with your situation.

4. Keep your New Zealand bank account open

   We only make payments in New Zealand dollars and into New Zealand bank accounts.

Before you leave we’ll get your permission to collect and share relevant information about you and your claim. This helps us manage your claim and make sure you’re getting the right amount of compensation.

Once you’ve moved overseas

Visit your overseas health provider

Find a new health provider as soon as possible. Give your provider the medical certificates for overseas clients (OCU01) letter and your medical records.

Ask them to send us medical certificates

Ask your health provider to send us a medical certificate at least every 91 days (thirteen weeks). The certificate should show what job tasks you can do and how your recovery is going.

Keep in touch and follow your rehabilitation plan

Stay in touch with your recovery team and let them know how you’re getting on with your rehabilitation. They need to know if you:

• are having difficulty with your rehabilitation plan
• can’t provide us with any of the details we need
• will travel between countries. This could affect the tax on your payments
• do any paid or unpaid work, or earn money in some way.

Returning to New Zealand for assessments

You may need to come back to New Zealand for an assessment if:

• you didn't get assessed before you went overseas
• your condition changes
• you’re having difficulties with your rehabilitation
• you've completed your rehabilitation and we need to find out if you can go back to work.

Paying for and travelling to your assessments

We’ll pay for the assessments and your travel within New Zealand to get to the assessments. If you need to come back to New Zealand for an assessment, you’ll have to pay for your own travel.

Contact us

If you have any problems or want to know more about how we can help, talk to your recovery team or contact our claims team:

Phone 0800 101 996 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
Email claims@acc.co.nz

Send us your application

If you live in Northland, Auckland, Waikato or Bay of Plenty:

ACC Hamilton Hub 
PO Box 952
Hamilton 3240

If you live in Taranaki, Manawatu-Whanganui, Hawke's Bay, Wellington or the South Island:

ACC Dunedin Hub
PO Box 408
Dunedin 9054