X-Ray Cost in New Zealand
What you actually pay under ACC, the public health system (Health NZ), and at private radiology clinics. Last reviewed October 2026.
Short answer: For eligible New Zealand residents, an X-ray ordered by a public hospital doctor — or by a GP under Health NZ's community-referred radiology criteria — is free. Injury X-rays under an ACC claim are mostly funded by ACC, but many community radiology clinics add a patient surcharge of roughly NZD $0–$50 (about US$0–29). Without ACC or public funding, a private self-pay X-ray typically costs NZD $122–$300 (about US$70–175), e.g. a chest X-ray around NZD $160.
Quick Overview
New Zealand has three ways to pay for an X-ray. The public health system (Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora) provides free imaging at public hospitals, and since 1 September 2025 national primary-care referral criteria let GPs, urgent-care doctors and nurse practitioners refer patients directly for funded X-ray, ultrasound and CT that meets the criteria. ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) funds imaging for injuries — usually at private community radiology clinics, which may charge a small surcharge on top of the ACC payment. Everything else is self-pay or claimed from private health insurance.
🏥 Public / GP-referred
- Hospital inpatient, ED and outpatient imaging
- GP referrals that meet Health NZ community-referred radiology criteria
- For eligible people (citizens, residents, most 2-year+ work visas)
- Non-urgent waits can be weeks in some districts
🩹 ACC (injuries)
- Covers residents and visitors injured in NZ
- ACC pays the clinic a regulated fee per exam
- Clinics set their own surcharge — some charge none
- Community Services Card holders often pay less
💳 Private self-pay
- Non-injury imaging without public funding
- Most single-region X-rays NZD $143–$175
- Full-spine study about NZD $300
- Same-day walk-in at many clinics
New Zealand X-Ray Prices by Exam
Self-pay prices below are from a published community radiology price list (River Radiology, Hamilton, 2026). Other private groups in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch price in a similar band, though most do not publish full lists. "Public" means a funded referral for an eligible patient; "ACC" means an accepted injury claim.
| X-Ray Exam | Public (eligible) | ACC injury | Private self-pay (NZD) | USD (≈) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest (PA + lateral) | Free | $0–$50 surcharge | $159.50 | $93 |
| Immigration / visa chest X-ray | Not funded | Not ACC | $139.50 | $81 |
| Hand / wrist | Free | $0–$50 surcharge | $143.00 | $83 |
| Finger / toe | Free | $0–$50 surcharge | $122–$143 | $71–83 |
| Ankle or foot | Free | $0–$50 surcharge | $159.50 | $93 |
| Knee | Free | $0–$50 surcharge | $149.50 | $87 |
| Shoulder | Free | $0–$50 surcharge | $156.00 | $90 |
| Cervical spine | Free | $0–$50 surcharge | $167.00 | $97 |
| Thoracic spine | Free | $0–$50 surcharge | $159.50 | $93 |
| Lumbar spine | Free | $0–$50 surcharge | $159.50 | $93 |
| Full spine (scoliosis) | If clinically indicated | Not ACC | $300.00 | $174 |
| Pelvis / pelvis + hip(s) | Free | $0–$50 surcharge | $149.50–$195 | $87–113 |
| Abdomen (1–2 views) | Free | $0–$50 surcharge | $149.50–$167 | $87–97 |
| Dental panoramic (OPG) | Not usually funded for adults | Dental injury only | ~$100–$110 at a dentist | ~$58–64 |
USD at approximately NZD 1 = US$0.58. Self-pay prices: River Radiology published price list (2026). ACC surcharge range from published clinic fee pages (see below). OPG figure is a single dental-clinic quote reported by Consumer NZ and should be treated as approximate.
Ultrasound, CT and MRI compared
Advanced imaging costs far more than a plain X-ray if you pay privately. GPs can refer for some funded ultrasound and CT under the 2025 national criteria; MRI is generally a specialist or ACC-approved referral.
| Imaging type | Public (eligible) | ACC injury | Private self-pay (NZD) | USD (≈) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound — single region (e.g. knee, shoulder, abdomen) | Free if criteria met | $40–$80 surcharge typical | $312–$356 | $181–206 |
| Ultrasound — abdomen + pelvis | Free if criteria met | Surcharge may apply | ~$533 | ~$309 |
| CT — head | Free (hospital / GP criteria) | Usually $0 if ACC-approved | ~$690 | ~$400 |
| CT — chest / abdomen–pelvis | Free (hospital / GP criteria) | Usually $0 if ACC-approved | $863–$1,225 | $500–711 |
| MRI — knee or spine (1 region) | Free via specialist, long waits | Usually $0 if ACC-approved | $1,214–$1,372 | $704–796 |
| MRI — brain / shoulder / hip | Free via specialist, long waits | Usually $0 if ACC-approved | $1,583–$1,654 | $918–959 |
Private prices from River Radiology's published list (2026), which shows no patient surcharge on ACC-approved CT and MRI. Ultrasound ACC surcharges: $40 (Beyond Radiology, River Radiology weekday) to $80 (Allevia Radiology, formerly Mercy Radiology).
ACC X-Ray Co-Payments at Community Radiology
ACC pays radiology providers a regulated fee per exam under its Radiologists' Costs schedule (ACC1521). Because that fee is often below a clinic's private price, many providers charge the patient a surcharge (co-payment). The amount is set by each clinic, not by ACC, so it pays to check before you go. Published examples:
| Provider (region) | ACC X-ray surcharge | ACC ultrasound surcharge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Radiology (Hamilton) | $0 | $40 weekday / $60 weekend | Lists X-rays as fully ACC-funded |
| Beyond Radiology (Auckland, Christchurch) | $20 | $40 | Grafton, Highbrook, Silverdale, Merivale sites |
| Reform Radiology | $30 | Surcharge applies | Waived for Gold Card / Community Services Card holders |
| Allevia Radiology (formerly Mercy Radiology, Auckland) | $50 standard / $15 CSC | $80 standard / $30 CSC | CSC rate also applies to children 17 and under |
| Pacific Radiology (Waikato, Wellington/Hutt, Canterbury, Otago) | Small surcharge for most patients | Small surcharge | No ACC surcharge for MRI/CT at Waikato sites; amounts by phone |
| Horizon Radiology / affiliates (Auckland) | Surcharge applies | Surcharge applies | Amount not published — ask for a quote |
Amounts in NZD incl. GST, taken from each provider's published fee or Healthpoint page (2025–2026). Surcharges change — confirm when booking.
Injury (ACC) pathway
- See a GP, urgent-care clinic or physio; they lodge an ACC45 claim
- You get a referral and ACC claim number for radiology
- Walk in to a community X-ray clinic (most take X-rays without appointment)
- Pay only the clinic's surcharge, if any
- CT/MRI for injuries usually needs ACC approval via a specialist or GP
Non-injury (public) pathway
- GP assesses you against the national primary-care imaging criteria
- If criteria are met: funded X-ray, ultrasound or CT, often at a contracted private clinic
- If not met: hospital specialist referral, or pay privately
- ED and inpatient imaging is free for eligible patients
Private pathway
- Referral from a GP, specialist, physio or chiropractor still required
- Pay the clinic's self-pay price on the day
- Claim from health insurance if your plan covers diagnostics
- Southern Cross affiliated providers can bill some plans directly
Where to Get an X-Ray in New Zealand
🏥 Auckland
- Public: Auckland City, Middlemore, North Shore, Waitakere hospitals
- Allevia Radiology (formerly Mercy Radiology)
- Horizon Radiology and affiliates (e.g. X-Ray Professionals)
- Beyond Radiology, Auckland X-Ray Services
- Canopy Imaging — at Ormiston Hospital, Flat Bush
🏥 Wellington & Hutt Valley
- Public: Wellington Regional Hospital, Hutt Hospital
- Pacific Radiology — incl. 668 High Street, Lower Hutt
- Affinity Medical Imaging — Connolly Street, Lower Hutt
- Hutt Hospital radiology mainly serves hospital, ED and specialist referrals
🏥 Rest of NZ
- Waikato: River Radiology, Pacific Radiology, Waikato Hospital
- Canterbury: Pacific Radiology, Beyond Radiology, Christchurch Hospital
- Otago/Southland: Pacific Radiology, Dunedin Hospital
- Regional Health NZ hospitals nationwide
Guide by Patient Type
🇳🇿 NZ residents
- Injury: ACC claim — pay $0 to ~$50 surcharge depending on clinic
- Non-injury: ask your GP if you meet funded imaging criteria
- Community Services Card can reduce ACC surcharges at some clinics
- Health insurance shortens waits for MRI and specialist imaging
💼 Work visa holders
- Visas of 2 years or more: generally eligible for publicly funded care
- ACC covers injuries regardless of visa status
- Immigration chest X-rays are self-pay (about NZD $140)
- Check employer or private health cover for diagnostics
✈️ Tourists / short-term visitors
- ACC covers injuries suffered in NZ — clinic surcharge may apply
- Non-injury imaging: self-pay, about NZD $122–$300 per X-ray
- Public hospitals charge non-eligible patients for non-injury care
- Travel insurance recommended for illness
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- Referral from GP, specialist, physio or urgent care
- ACC claim number (ACC45) for injuries
- Community Services Card or Gold Card if you have one
- Health insurance membership number
- Card or EFTPOS — most clinics require payment on the day
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- Community X-ray (ACC or private): often walk-in, same day
- Ultrasound: appointment needed, days
- Public non-urgent CT/MRI: weeks to months
💡 How to save money
- Ask your GP whether you meet funded imaging criteria
- For injuries, compare clinic ACC surcharges ($0–$50)
- Show your Community Services Card — some clinics waive or cut surcharges
- Ask for a cost estimate before booking self-pay
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an X-ray cost in New Zealand?
It is free for eligible people when ordered by a public hospital or by a GP under Health NZ's community-referred radiology criteria. Injury X-rays under ACC usually cost $0–$50 in clinic surcharges. Private self-pay X-rays cost about NZD $122–$300 (US$70–175), for example about $160 for a chest X-ray and $300 for a full-spine study.
What is the ACC co-payment for an X-ray, such as a lumbar spine X-ray?
ACC funds the X-ray but each clinic sets its own surcharge. Published examples range from $0 (River Radiology) to $20 (Beyond Radiology), $30 (Reform Radiology) and $50 (Allevia Radiology, formerly Mercy Radiology, with a $15 Community Services Card rate). A lumbar spine X-ray follows the same surcharge as other X-rays; its self-pay price without ACC is about NZD $160.
Is an X-ray free in New Zealand?
Yes for eligible residents when it is done in a public hospital or ordered by a GP and meets the national primary-care imaging criteria introduced from September 2025. ACC injury X-rays are free at some clinics, while others add a small surcharge.
How much is a private chest X-ray in New Zealand?
About NZD $160 for a chest PA and lateral at a community radiology clinic, and about $140 for an immigration (visa) chest X-ray. These prices are from a published 2026 clinic price list; other clinics may differ slightly.
How much do an X-ray and ultrasound cost at Ormiston Hospital?
Imaging at Ormiston Hospital in Flat Bush, Auckland is provided by Canopy Imaging, which does not publish its prices. X-rays are walk-in with a referral and ultrasounds need an appointment. As a guide, private self-pay in NZ is about NZD $122–$300 for an X-ray and $312–$356 for a single-region ultrasound. ACC and Southern Cross (affiliated provider) can reduce what you pay — ask Canopy for a quote.
How much do an ultrasound and X-ray cost at Hutt Hospital radiology?
Hutt Hospital's radiology department mainly scans hospital, ED and specialist-referred patients, which is free for eligible patients. GP-referred and ACC community X-rays in the Hutt Valley are usually done at private clinics such as Pacific Radiology (High Street, Lower Hutt) or Affinity Medical Imaging — free if the GP referral meets funded criteria, a small surcharge under ACC, or roughly NZD $122–$300 per X-ray and $312–$356 per ultrasound if self-paying.
How much do CT and MRI scans cost privately in New Zealand?
From one published 2026 price list: CT about NZD $560–$1,225 depending on region scanned, and MRI about $1,056–$2,252. ACC-approved CT and MRI are usually fully funded with no surcharge, and public scans are free but can involve long waits.
Do tourists pay for X-rays in New Zealand?
Injuries suffered in NZ are covered by ACC for visitors too, so you pay only any clinic surcharge. For illness or non-injury imaging, tourists self-pay at private clinics (about NZD $122–$300 per X-ray) or pay non-eligible charges at public hospitals.
Does Southern Cross cover X-rays?
It depends on the plan. Some Southern Cross plans only cover diagnostic imaging within a set period of related eligible surgery or treatment, while others cover it more broadly. Pacific Radiology and Canopy Imaging are among Southern Cross affiliated providers. Check your policy document before booking.
What is an ACC45?
The ACC injury claim form a GP, urgent-care doctor or physio lodges after an accident. Its claim number lets the radiology clinic bill ACC directly, so you pay only any surcharge rather than the full private price.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- ACC — ACC1521 Radiologists' Costs information sheet (Cost of Treatment Regulations rates)
- Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora — Community Referred Radiology programme and National Primary Care Referral Criteria for Imaging (from 1 September 2025)
- River Radiology — published X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI price list (2026)
- Allevia Radiology (formerly Mercy Radiology) — payment information, ACC and Community Services Card surcharges
- Healthpoint provider listings — Beyond Radiology, Reform Radiology, Pacific Radiology, Horizon Radiology, Canopy Imaging, Affinity Medical Imaging
- Consumer NZ — dentist fees survey (panoramic X-ray quote)
- Southern Cross Health Society — plan documents (diagnostic imaging cover)
Last reviewed: October 2026. Prices and surcharges vary by clinic and change frequently; always confirm with the provider before your appointment.