In 2018, PrEP became a publicly-funded medicine in New Zealand. This means that anyone eligible for funded healthcare may be able to get a 3 month supply of PrEP for up to $5.
However, not everyone in New Zealand is eligible for funded healthcare - and not everyone who is eligible for funded healthcare will be eligible for PrEP.
Please note that the results of this page are a good indication of your eligibility, but they’re not final – you’ll need to have a discussion with your prescribing doctor.
Are you a New Zealand citizen, resident, or permanent resident?
Are you an Australian citizen or permanent resident who’s lived, or intends to live, in NZ for at least 2 years?
Are you a work visa holder who’s eligible to be here for 2 years or more?
Are you under 17 and your parent or guardian is eligible?
Are you an interim visa holder who was eligible immediately before you got the interim visa?
Are you a New Zealand Aid Programme student receiving Official Development Assistance funding?
Are you a Commonwealth Scholarship student?
Are you a refugee or protected person, or in the process of applying or appealing for refugee or protection status?
Are you a victim of people trafficking?
Are you a man (cis or trans)* or a trans woman?
Do you have sex with men?
Do you have a regular sexual partner who is living with HIV?
Is that partner on treatment, with an undetectable viral load?
Do you use condoms every time you have sex with this partner?
Have you bottomed without condoms with a casual partner in the last three months?
Have you been diagnosed with rectal chlamydia, rectal gonorrhoea, or syphilis within the last 3 months?
Have you used meth in the last three months?
Are you likely to have condomless anal sex multiple times in the next three months?
Do you have a regular partner who is living with HIV?
Is that partner on treatment and has an undetectable viral load?
Do you and this partner use condoms every time you have sex?
From the information you’ve given, it is likely you are eligible for funded PrEP in New Zealand. Please contact your GP or local Sexual Health Centre to discuss this further, or use our map to find a doctor who has indicated they’re well-informed about PrEP. Or see if you are eligible for virtual PrEP appointments.
From the information you’ve given, it’s not likely that you would be eligible for funded PrEP in New Zealand – but there are other ways to access it. Scroll down for more information.
From the information you’ve given, you are not eligible for funded healthcare in New Zealand – which means you aren’t eligible for funded PrEP. There are other ways to access PrEP though – scroll down for more information.
The first step of sourcing PrEP on your own is to get a prescription. Check out our online map that shows you doctors around New Zealand who know how to prescribe PrEP, this will involve a conversation about whether PrEP is right for you and some tests.
Going to the doctor to get a prescription will mean you will have to pay a standard fee for the initial GP visit/s. Also, PrEP requires three-monthly check-ins for HIV and STI testing, and prescription renewal, so you’ll need to be prepared to pay for this every three months.
Once you have your prescription, there are some options for you to access PrEP:
With a prescription, you can import generic versions of PrEP from overseas for personal use. This involves uploading a prescription for PrEP from your doctor in New Zealand, and purchasing the drug online. Currently, this costs around $14 per month, plus delivery and money conversion costs.
It is important when importing your own supply to purchase PrEP from a legitimate website - we are aware of these websites that ship to New Zealand:
With a prescription, you can purchase PrEP direct from a pharmacy at market price. We expect this price will be around $70-$130 per bottle, with pharmacy mark-up. Contact your closest pharmacy to see if they have stock.
The cost of self-funding PrEP can be prohibitive for some people who need PrEP, which is why a free coupon system has been created. Find out more here.
The NZAF network
