🌏 Hurt at Work on a Visa? Here's How ACC Works for You

A guide for migrant workers and work visa holders navigating a workplace injury in New Zealand.

ACC covers everyone injured in an accident in New Zealand — it doesn't matter what visa you're on, how long you've been here, or whether you're a resident. Your immigration status does not affect your right to get treatment covered.

1️⃣ Get Treated — This Starts Your Claim

If you're injured at work, the process is the same as for anyone else:

• Tell your employer or supervisor what happened, as soon as it's safe to.
• See a doctor, physio, or go to an after-hours clinic or hospital ED. You don't need to fill in forms yourself — your health provider lodges the claim (an ACC45) for you.
• You don't need a New Zealand address to be covered, though having one on file makes ongoing contact easier.

2️⃣ Reporting the Injury Won't Affect Your Visa

Some migrant workers worry that reporting an injury, or their workplace being unsafe, could put their visa at risk. It won't. Under New Zealand law:

• Migrant workers have the same employment rights as New Zealand citizens and residents.
• Reporting an unsafe workplace, an accident, or employer mistreatment does not affect your visa status.
• If your employer threatens your visa, pressures you not to report an injury, or tells you not to see a doctor — that is not something you have to accept. Immigration New Zealand treats this as a serious compliance issue for the employer, not the worker.

3️⃣ Weekly Compensation — What Applies to You

If your injury stops you from working, you may be able to get weekly compensation (up to 80% of your pre-injury earnings). The key requirement is the same for everyone: you need to have been legally employed and earning taxed income at the time of the accident.

• If you're on PAYE (most work visa holders in standard employment), ACC calculates your payment from your recorded earnings — same process as for any employee.
• If you're newly arrived and have only worked a short time, your payment is based on what you've earned so far — it may be lower simply because there's a shorter earnings history to draw from.
• You'll need a medical certificate confirming you're unfit for work, and you apply through MyACC or by phone — it's not automatic.

4️⃣ If You're on a Working Holiday, Student, or Other Temporary Visa

• You're still covered by ACC for the accident itself, the same as anyone else in New Zealand.
• Weekly compensation depends on whether you were doing paid, legal work at the time — this is why working within your visa conditions matters, not just for immigration reasons but because it affects what ACC can pay you.
• Travel insurance is still worth having, since ACC won't cover things like cancelled flights, extended accommodation, or costs unrelated to the injury itself.
  
  
  

5️⃣ Serious Workplace Injuries

If a workplace injury is serious, your employer has a legal obligation to notify WorkSafe New Zealand — this is separate from your ACC claim and applies regardless of anyone's visa status. You're not responsible for making sure this happens; it's your employer's duty.

💡 Practical Tips for Migrant Workers

• Keep copies of your payslips and employment agreement — these help confirm your earnings if there's ever a dispute about your weekly compensation amount.
• Register for MyACC early so you can track your claim without relying on someone else to check it for you.
• If you're worried about language barriers, ask for an interpreter — this is a normal request, not a special favour.
• If your employer discourages you from lodging a claim, you can contact ACC directly yourself, or seek advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau, community law centre, or migrant worker support service.
• A workplace injury does not automatically mean losing your job or your visa — get advice before assuming the worst.

Need help or have questions about your claim?

Call ACC's claims team: 0800 101 996
Manage your claim via MyACC at acc.co.nz
Concerned about employment or visa issues? Contact Immigration New Zealand or a community law centre for free advice.