Insurance requirements

Travel and medical insurance are a New Zealand Government requirement and compulsory for all international students studying in New Zealand and enrolled for a course for two weeks or more, regardless of the type of visa held by the student. It is also a requirement of your Student Visa.

Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly-funded health services are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Health. The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for temporary visitors to New Zealand but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website.

Your insurance must meet the requirements of the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of practice 2016. A copy of the code is available in English on our website. You can also read the Code in different languages from the NZQA website.


Students in all programmes (at least 1 semester in length)

Unitec can provide you with cover with Southern Cross International Student Travel Insurance (SCTI).  All Unitec placed insurance will be with SCTI.

Your insurance should begin from the day of departure from your home country and stay current until your student visa expiry date. The standard period of insurance under the Unitec placed policy is from the 1st day of the month in which your programme starts until the last day of your study visa. So, for example, if your programme starts in July, you will be insured under the policy from 1 July and if your programme starts in February, you will be insured under the policy from 1 February. If you intend to travel to New Zealand before the 1st day of the month in which your programme starts, you must advise Unitec of the date of your journey. Unitec can then place the insurance to cover the travel dates to New Zealand. You will also need to forward copies of NZ flight arrival details plus Unitec Student Visa. This may add a small additional premium charge payable by the student.

The premium charge is to be paid ahead of arrival in NZ. It is not included in and is separate from the tuition fee but can be paid at the same time as your tuition fee.  Your SCTI policy will be issued relevant to enrolment and to the email address noted on your Unitec records at the beginning of Semester.

Use the button below to download the application form.

Semester 1 2024 Semester 2 2024 

If you have any queries, please email insurance@unitec.ac.nz

Students applying for a short course (2-12 weeks)

If you're applying for a short course that is between 2 and 12 weeks in length, you can apply for short-term insurance. You can choose to apply for 4 weeks, 8 weeks, or 12 weeks; whatever will best cover the length of your course. Details must be sent to Unitec at least 1 week prior to the start date of the course. 
Use the buttons below to download the application form.

Short Course 

Policy requirements

In addition to the standards for insurance that are set out in the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016, Unitec expects that your insurance also meets the following requirements:

  • Medical – cover must be unlimited
  • Repatriation – NZ$600,000
  • Expatriation – NZ$30,000
  • Accompanying family's emergency travel – NZ$15,000 
  • Travel delays/contingencies – NZ$25,000
  • Personal items at least - NZ$15,000
  • Personal liability - NZ$500,000

All insurance policies should:

  • Cover you from date of departure from your home, apply while you are in transit and continue for the period of your enrolment/visa dates.

Applying for Travel Insurance with SCTI

To arrange your insurance with SCTI, follow the steps below:

1. Complete, sign and upload the SCTI Insurance Application form to your enrolment dashboard

The Insurance Application form can be downloaded from the Insurance task tab in the enrolment portal. Complete, sign and return your form to insurance@unitec.ac.nz .

2. Pay the insurance premium

The insurance premium can be paid when you pay your tuition.

If you have already paid your tuition fees, simply pay the insurance premium to the same account number shown on your Offer of Place. Make sure to note your payment is for insurance and include your Student ID number. Remember to pay the extra bank telegraphic transfer fee.

Once the payment is made, please notify the Account Administrator via email at international.finance@unitec.ac.nz advising your Student ID number, amount of your payment and that it is for insurance. 

SCTI will email the policy to the email address on your Unitec records within the first month of the semester.

If you have any questions, please email insurance@unitec.ac.nz

3. SCTI Claims

Unitec do not complete claims for students. If you need to make a claim against your SCTI policy, please claim directly with SCTI.

Arranging your own Insurance

If you are arranging your own (Unitec approved) insurance, you are required to provide the policy certificate by emailing the Unitec insurance team at insurance@unitec.ac.nz by

  • The first day of the month in which your programme starts (new students)
  • Two weeks prior to the expiry of current insurance policy (current Unitec students)
  • One week prior to the course start date (short courses only)

For new students, this coverage must be effective from the date of your flight to New Zealand and extend to the last day of your study visa. For existing students, the renewed policy should continue from the expiry of the current policy with no break in cover and extend to the last day of your study visa. This is to ensure that the policy is acceptable by Unitec. Any late submissions of your Insurance Certificate will not be accepted. 

If you have any queries, please email insurance@unitec.ac.nz

The Policy certificate must show the following information in English:

  • Your personal details
  • Policy number
  • Policy start/expiry date 
  • A brief schedule of benefits.

Approved New Zealand Policies

  • SCTI International Student Travel Insurance
  • Uni-care NZ Student Plan
  • Marsh Student Safe Policy
  • Interglobal Studentcare Plus Policy 
  • Orbit Protect Prime Policy

Approved Alternative Overseas Policies

  • Germany- Hanse Merkur
  • Norway- Reiseforsikring Europeiske
  • Norway – Gjensidige Nor Forsikring 
  • Sweden/Norway – NEMI ANSA
  • Sweden/Norway - NEMI CSN
  • Sweden – Swedish State Student UT - Kammarkollegiet

Disclaimer: Unitec reserves the right to withdraw any of the above policies from its approved list at any time.

Note: Policies not on the Unitec approved list above will not be accepted. Late submissions of insurance certificates will not be accepted.

You will automatically be insured with Unitec's default policy SCTI and the insurance premium charged to your Unitec student account in the following cases:

  • Your insurance policy does not meet the requirements set out by Unitec
  • Your insurance certificate is not provided before the submission due date.

FAQs about insurance

I am an international student. Do I need insurance?

The Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 requires all international students enrolled for a course for two weeks or more to have appropriate insurance regardless of the type of visa held by the student. The insurance should cover for the student’s travel to and from New Zealand and within and outside New Zealand. This is done to protect students from the high financial costs due to unforeseen incidents. In addition to that, international students are required to hold appropriate insurance for the duration of their student visa by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Please view the requirements here

What is covered in a Unitec placed insurance policy?

Where you have not arranged insurance for yourself, Unitec automatically purchases cover for you with SCTI (on a renewing basis relevant to enrolment/visa status). This is offered to you at a discounted premium.

The details of the policy can be found on SCTI’s website here. The key benefits include cover for:

  • Medical and evacuation expenses
  • Travel delays and cancellations
  • Baggage and personal items
  • Cash and travel documents
  • Personal liability
  • Personal accident
  • Rental vehicle excess

Some of the sections have sub limits for certain types of claims.

  • Personal contents – you will need to advise admin@scti.co.nz to add items over $1,500 (or $2,500 for computers and cameras) per individual item value.
  • Pre-existing conditions are not automatically covered, refer SCTI Application Form.

How much will the Unitec placed SCTI cost me?

Unitec automatically covers students on a renewing basis relevant to enrolment/visa status under the blanket policy held with SCTI. Premium payment is two weeks prior to International Orientation date. The charge is separate to and not included in tuition fees.

Insurance premium is calculated on a monthly basis. The current Unitec charge for insurance is as follows:

Duration Pricing($NZD)
  Aged 0-17 years Aged 18-55 years
1 Month 70.00 95.13
2 Months 139.00 188.90
3 Months 173.00 235.11
4 Months 211.00 286.75
5 Months 263.00 357.42
6 Months 316.00 429.44
7 Months 369.00 501.47
8 Months 421.00 572.14
9 Months 474.00 644.17
10 Months 526.00 714.83
11 Months 579.00 786.86
12 Months 633.00 860.25
13 Months 684.00 929.56
14 Months 737.00 1001.58
15 Months 791.00 1074.97
16 Months 842.00 1144.28
17 Months 896.00 1217.66
18 Months 949.00 1289.69
19 Months 1001.00 1360.36
20 Months 1054.00 1432.39
21 Months 1107.00 1504.41
22 Months 1159.00 1575.08
23 Months 1212.00 1647.11
24 Months 1265.00 1719.14

*The insurance premium may change at the time the policy is issued.  Students will be required to pay the new charges as applicable at the time of issue of policy.

What is covered under the Unitec placed insurance with SCTI?

SCTI’s comprehensive plan includes cover for:

  • Medical and evacuation expenses
  • Travel delays and cancellations
  • Baggage and personal items
  • Cash and travel documents
  • Personal liability
  • Personal accident
  • Rental vehicle excess

Please read the policy wording for details including sub-limits and conditions for particular claims.

How do I pay for my insurance?

The insurance charge is separate to and not included in your tuition fees. It can be paid with your tuition fees. Premium payment is two weeks prior to International Orientation. Information related to "How to Pay" can be found by clicking here. Receipt of payment is generated by Unitec International Finance who will advise you once processed.

Is there any difference insurance with SCTI placed through us and the same policy placed by you directly with SCTI?

No, cover is the same.

What are the benefits of opting for Unitec placed insurance?

Unitec offers SCTI cover to students at a discounted premium. 

Can I add my family members to Unitec placed SCTI?

You can add your family to the Unitec placed cover. To add family members to a student policy, you will need to email SCTI. Payment is made direct to SCTI at the time of application for your family members. You will be responsible to add family members each time your policy expires as they will not automatically be renewed under your Unitec student cover.

I am going to study a short course. Do I still need insurance?

All international students enrolled in a course that runs for two weeks or more are required to have appropriate insurance at all times during their enrolment period regardless of the type of visa held.

What happens in case of claims?

Please lodge your claim online as this is not done for you by Unitec. 

For claims queries, contact SCTI here or phone 0800 800 571.

SCTI has advised that all claims must be true, valid and not misleading. If found to be fraudulent, your policy could be cancelled which could affect your enrolment at Unitec

I hold a work permit. Do I still need insurance?

All International students enrolled at an educational institution for two weeks or longer are required to hold insurance whilst enrolled even if they depart New Zealand during the semester break. This is regardless of the type of visa held by the International Student. All tertiary providers are required to ensure the same to comply with the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016.

Some work visa holders will be eligible for publicly funded health services. This covers the Code of Practice requirement for medical care in New Zealand but not the other three aspects that the Code of Practice 2016 states must be covered (travel, repatriation, death). As a result, work visa holders also need to hold appropriate insurance as other International Students.

What if I need my insurance to commence earlier than the standard start date?

If insurance is required to commence prior to the standard start date (1st February or 1st July), you will need to advise Unitec Insurance here and include copies of your Student Visa and air ticket showing departure from your home country. This may generate a small increase in premium.

I have received my insurance policy but that only covers one semester whereas I paid for two semesters. Why is that and where is my balance money?

When you receive your Unitec placed policy, and you have only been insured for 1 semester but paid for 2 semesters, your insurance will renew automatically for the next semester relevant to enrolment. The balance difference will be held in your Student Account and will be credited towards your next semester’s cover.

I have overpaid for my insurance. Can I have a refund for that?

Overpaid insurance can be refunded to the student or held for the insurance cover for your subsequent semesters. Please email the refund request to our Unitec Insurance Team.

What are pre-existing conditions and can the Unitec-placed cover with SCTI include my pre-existing conditions?

SCTI consider a pre-existing condition to be any illness or injury(including symptoms), whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, of which you are aware, or of which a reasonable person in your circumstances ought to be aware, for which in the last three years prior the start date of insurance, you have sought, been given or been recommended advice (including awaiting test results), care, treatment, medication or medical attention. This includes any pre-existing medical condition/s prior to your arrival to NZ. If you have questions about what you should or shouldn’t declare, please email SCTI here or refer to the SCTI website.

If you tell Unitec about a pre-existing condition at the time of application for cover, Unitec will then liaise with SCTI to assess if the pre-existing condition can be included in the insurance policy. It may result in an additional premium as advised by SCTI and this will be communicated to the student. If the pre-existing condition cannot be included in the insurance policy, Unitec will consider the application on a case by case basis which may require additional time. If you don’t tell Unitec about your pre-existing condition, or you tell Unitec but SCTI does not offer cover, then you won’t have cover for your pre-existing condition.

For students who are currently on Unitec placed policies- pre-existing conditions are not automatically covered under your SCTI policy. If you wish to request cover for a pre-existing condition, you will need to contact SCTI within the first 31 days of your policy being issued.  

Can I arrange my own insurance?

We are happy for students to arrange their own insurance provided it meets requirements. Unfortunately, often it does not. The insurer will need to be on the list of Unitec Approved Insurance Providers listed above. Policy details should be forwarded to Unitec Insurance by the first day of the month your programme beings (new students) or two weeks prior to the expiry of your current insurance (current Unitec Students). The student is then responsible to provide renewed continuing insurance throughout their enrolment period with no break in cover. If not received by the submission date, Unitec will place SCTI cover relevant to your enrolment and charge your Unitec account.

What are the minimum insurance policy requirements?

The minimum benefits of insurance needed to meet the requirements set out by Unitec are:

  • Medical – cover must be unlimited
  • Repatriation – NZ$600,000
  • Expatriation – NZ$30,000
  • Accompanying family's emergency travel – NZ$15,000
  • Travel delays/contingencies – NZ$25,000
  • Personal items at least - NZ$15,000
  • Personal liability - NZ$500,000

All insurance policies should cover you from the date of departure from your home, apply while you are in transit, and continue for the period of your enrolment/visa dates.