How Imaging Referrals Work in New Zealand: Who Can Refer You

Dr. Mark Bekhit, Radiologist  ·  Last updated August 2026

Can I book a scan myself?

In almost all cases, no. In the public system you cannot self-refer for a CT scan, an MRI, an ultrasound or an X-ray: a healthcare provider has to request the test. The referral is what carries the clinical reason for the scan, and it is what the imaging service uses to book and interpret it.

The people who can refer you include your general practice team — doctors and nurses — a nurse practitioner, an urgent-care doctor, a midwife or a hospital specialist. If you are enrolled with a general practice, that team is usually the right place to start, because non-urgent hospital appointments are generally reached by a referral from your GP.

There is one narrow exception worth knowing. Some private providers, such as physiotherapists, may accept a self-referral for an X-ray under ACC cover or private payment. That does not change the general rule for CT, MRI, ultrasound and public-system X-rays, which all need a referral. If you want the referrer’s side of this — what a good request contains and why it matters — see the guide on how imaging clinics support referring clinicians.

The three main routes to a scan

Once you have a referral, your scan usually happens through one of three routes. Which one fits depends on how urgent and how complex the request is, not on which you would prefer.

Injuries sit slightly across these routes. When a scan is needed because of an accident, ACC usually pays some of the cost, though you may still have to pay part of it. A private scan is also always an option if you have insurance or are willing to pay — you can talk to your provider about a referral to a private clinic. For a fuller comparison of the two systems, see the public versus private radiology guide.

Direct GP access to community imaging

The biggest recent change to how referrals work is the Community Referred Radiology programme. Under it, GPs, urgent-care doctors and nurse practitioners can refer people to imaging directly, without a specialist assessment or an emergency department referral first. In practice this means many everyday scans no longer have to wait behind a hospital specialist appointment.

The programme covers X-rays, CT scans and diagnostic ultrasounds, and community-referred imaging that meets the clinical criteria is free for patients, to remove financial barriers. MRI is not part of this programme.

What decides which route your scan takes

Two things mostly decide the route: what kind of scan you need, and how urgent and complex your situation is. Everyday X-rays, ultrasounds and many CT scans can now be done in the community, while an MRI still needs a referral and may be provided through either the public or the private system. Complex or specialist-led problems are more likely to be imaged at the hospital, where the imaging sits alongside the rest of your care.

The table below is a quick reference to the common scans, what each one uses and where it usually fits. Every one of them needs a referral.

If you are weighing up which of two scans you actually need, the guide on MRI versus CT goes into the differences. Once the referral is in, in the public system you will get a letter or a phone call with the time and place of your appointment.

What makes a referral move smoothly

You do not control how a service triages its list, but a few practical things help your referral reach the right place without a hold-up.

It also helps to arrive ready for the appointment itself. The imaging appointment checklist covers what to bring, the first-scan questions guide helps if this is all new, and if the scan is an ultrasound the ultrasound preparation guide explains any preparation the clinic asks for. Your own appointment instructions always come first.

What it costs and how long it takes

Cost follows the route. A scan done at a public hospital usually has no charge, an X-ray or ultrasound is usually free when a GP or midwife has referred you, and eligible community-referred imaging is free. If a scan is for an accident, ACC usually pays some of the cost, sometimes with a part-charge, and a private scan is paid for by you or your insurer. For the detail of who qualifies for free imaging, see who qualifies for free imaging in New Zealand.

Timing is harder to pin down, because it depends on the urgency of your request, the type of scan and where you live. This guide will not promise you a number of days. If waiting is your main concern, the radiology wait-times guide explains what drives the wait, and if a booking has stalled the guide on what to do when you can’t get a scan appointment gives practical next steps. To find a provider near you, use the guide to finding a radiology clinic or search the New Zealand clinic directory.

Emergencies: don’t wait for a referral

This guide is about planned, referred imaging. It does not apply in an emergency. In any critical or life-threatening situation — such as chest pain or tightness, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness or difficulty talking, or severe bleeding — call 111 for an ambulance, or go straight to an emergency department. Any scan you need is arranged there as part of your care; you do not organise your own referral.

For an accident or a problem that cannot wait for your GP but is not life-threatening, an after-hours or urgent medical centre can help with things like bad cuts, sprains and minor breaks, and many have an X-ray on site. If you are simply not sure what to do, Healthline is free on 0800 611 116, 24 hours a day.

Frequently asked questions

Can I refer myself for a scan in New Zealand?

In almost all cases, no. You cannot self-refer for a CT scan, and the same applies to MRI, ultrasound and public-system X-rays — a healthcare provider has to request the test. The main exception is that some private providers, such as physiotherapists, may accept a self-referral for an X-ray under ACC cover or private payment.

Can my GP send me straight for a CT or ultrasound now?

Often, yes. Under the Community Referred Radiology programme, GPs, urgent-care doctors and nurse practitioners can refer people directly for X-rays, CT scans and diagnostic ultrasounds without a specialist assessment first. The programme is still being phased in, so ask your practice whether the direct community pathway applies to your scan where you live.

Will I have to pay?

It depends on the route. A public-hospital scan usually has no charge, eligible community-referred imaging is free, and ACC usually pays some of the cost for an accident, sometimes with a part-charge. A private scan is paid for by you or your insurer. See who qualifies for free imaging for the detail.

Why did my scan go to the hospital instead of a local clinic?

Complex, specialist-led or inpatient care is usually imaged at the hospital, where the scan sits alongside the rest of your treatment. Some scans, such as MRI, are provided through the public or private system by referral and are not part of the community direct-access programme. Your referrer decides which setting fits your clinical situation.

What if I can’t wait for a referral?

If it is a genuine emergency, call 111 or go straight to an emergency department — do not wait for a scan referral. If it is urgent but not life-threatening, an urgent care clinic or Healthline on 0800 611 116 can help you decide what to do next.

Sources and review

This page was clinically reviewed against New Zealand sources on 7 August 2026. The referral rules and scan information come from Health NZ’s pages on scans and X-rays, X-rays, CT, ultrasound and MRI. The direct-access details are from Health NZ’s Community Referred Radiology programme, which at the time of review still describes free access and full national rollout as projected from July 2026. General health-system and funding context was checked against Healthify’s guide to the NZ health system and Health NZ’s pages on which health service to use and getting help in an emergency.

This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Ask your referrer which service is available, and ask the clinic whether public funding or ACC cover applies and what you will need to pay.

Author: Dr. Mark Bekhit

Dr Mark Bekhit (MBChB, FRANZCR) is a musculoskeletal radiologist practising in Brisbane and an AHPRA-registered specialist in diagnostic radiology (MED0002920947). He spends as much time building software as reading scans: he founded Imaging Finder (Australia) and Radiology Clinics NZ to make imaging easier to find, and builds radiology dictation and pain-tracking tools with one aim — better patient outcomes and a smoother reporting workflow. Outside the reading room he's usually training, bringing the same performance mindset to imaging.