What do I get from ACC if I am injured?

If you are hurt in an accident in New Zealand, ACC can help pay for your treatment and, if you cannot work, replace up to 80 percent of your pre-injury income. You do not have to prove who was at fault. Your doctor or other treatment provider lodges the claim, but weekly compensation does not start by itself. You have to apply for it.

ACC is funded by levies, including the earners levy that comes out of your pay. So you have already helped pay for this cover. Here is how to use it, and what to do if ACC says no.

The basics

• Get treatment first. See a doctor, physio, after-hours clinic or hospital emergency department. Your treatment provider lodges the claim with ACC for you.
• Cover is confirmed fast. ACC says you will usually get a text, and possibly a letter, within a week.
• Treatment is part-funded. If your injury is covered, ACC pays part of the fee and you usually pay the rest. Community Services Card holders and some children may pay less. In an emergency department, ACC pays the provider for covered injuries.
• Weekly compensation is up to 80 percent of your average weekly earnings before the injury, before tax. Tax and other deductions such as KiwiSaver, student loan and child support still apply.
• It usually starts from day 8 after the injury, once your claim is accepted, you are eligible and your application is processed.
• Who pays the first week of a work injury? Your employer pays 80 percent of your usual pay for that first week. ACC does not.
• Non-work injury, first week. Talk to your employer about using sick or annual leave.
• Keep medical certificates coming. Payments usually stop when you can return to your pre-injury job or your health provider says you are ready.
• You can top up. You can ask to use sick or annual leave to lift your pay from 80 percent to 100 percent of usual income.

How it is worked out

For the first four weeks ACC uses a short-term rate, based on your earnings in the four weeks before the injury. After that, a long-term rate applies. Permanent and non-permanent employees are calculated differently. A maximum also applies, based on a 40-hour week. Check the current maximum on the weekly compensation pages of the ACC website, and see the Accident Compensation Act 2001 at https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0049/latest/whole.html for the rules behind it.

• Week one (days 1 to 7): Her employer pays 80 percent of usual pay, so $800 before tax. ACC pays nothing for this week.
• Day 8 onwards: She applies through MyACC. Once approved, ACC pays up to 80 percent, so about $800 a week before tax, for as long as she cannot work and sends in certificates.
• Topping up: If Mere has sick leave, she can ask her employer to use some to bring a week from $800 up to $1,000.
• Treatment: Her GP visit is part-funded. ACC pays its share and she pays the gap.

The catch

• Weekly compensation is not automatic. Apply in MyACC under "Get support", or phone ACC on 0800 101 996 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).
• Day 8 is not a promise. Payment only begins after approval. Your first payment may cover the time since you became eligible and may land on a different day from your usual payday.
• You may pay upfront. Providers set their own fees. You can pay in full and ask ACC to repay its share using the ACC249 or ACC001 forms, with invoices and receipts attached.
• Ask before you book. Ask your provider how much you will pay, how much ACC pays and whether ACC needs to approve the treatment first.
• Gaps in employer pay. If your employer does not pay the first week of a work injury, ask them in writing. Employment New Zealand can help on 0800 20 90 20.
• Time limits for lodging. Lodge early. Ask ACC or your provider for the current time limit for lodging a claim, and do not wait.

Common questions

Can I choose my own doctor?

Yes, you can get treatment from a doctor, physio or clinic. They lodge the claim for you. If it is covered, you will need a health provider for ongoing treatment.

Do I need to tell my employer?

For a work injury, yes. Your employer pays the first week at 80 percent of usual pay, so they need to know straight away.

How long do I have to challenge a decision?

You must apply for a review within three months of the decision date, which is on your decision letter, invoice or claim approval text. ACC may accept a late application if your injury stopped you applying in time, but you will need to explain the delay.

Does a review cost me anything?

ACC pays for the independent review and may cover related costs, such as travel to a hearing. For decisions made on or after 27 November 2025, a new cost scale applies. Check the current scale with ACC when you apply.

Can I go further if the review goes against me?

The reviewer's decision is final within ACC, but you can appeal to the District Court. Costs may apply. Check the appeal deadline with the Ministry of Justice at https://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/accident-compensation/ before you leave it late.

What to do if it is wrong

1. Read the decision letter or text. Find the decision date and write down the three-month review deadline.
2. Phone ACC on 0800 101 996 and ask them to explain the decision and what evidence is missing. A quick fix is often possible.
3. Gather your evidence: medical certificates, GP or specialist notes, your payslips and anything about how the injury happened.
4. Apply for a review using the ACC33 form. An ACC review specialist will first try to resolve it with you.
5. If that fails, you choose from a list of independent reviewers. There is usually a short phone conference, then a hearing if still unresolved.
6. Watch the clock. If ACC does not agree a hearing date with you within three months of getting your application, the decision is deemed in your favour and binds ACC.
7. If you want someone to act for you, ACC needs an authority to act form (ACC5937).
8. If the reviewer's decision goes against you, consider a District Court appeal and check the deadline straight away.

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Last reviewed 6 November 2026. Written by Streetwise from the official pages listed above. General information only, not legal or financial advice.