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Free Government-Funded Mobility Equipment in New Zealand: Who Qualifies & How to Apply
If you’re living with a disability, or caring for an older person who needs a wheelchair or other mobility aids, and you live anywhere in the North or South Island, you may be entitled to free, government-funded mobility equipment to help with daily life. In this guide we explain what’s available, who qualifies, and exactly how to apply.
This is general information to help you get started — the funder makes the final decision on eligibility. At Gilani Mobility we can provide quotes and specifications to support your application, though we are not a registered supplier under these schemes.
Through Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, the government provides mobility equipment on loan to eligible people with disabilities. The equipment is intended for people whose disability is expected to last at least six months — including intellectual, physical, hearing, vision or age-related disabilities.
Equipment that may be available on loan includes:
To qualify for equipment funded through Whaikaha, you generally need to:
The EMS assessor decides what equipment you need and are eligible for, so the assessment is the key step in the process.
There are some limits on what Whaikaha will fund:
The Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People website sets out who’s eligible, what’s available, and who the official equipment providers are. It’s the best place to start.
An Equipment and Modification Services (EMS) assessor will determine your eligibility and what equipment will benefit you most. For example, someone who applies for a manual wheelchair may be assessed as benefiting more from an electric one — or from a different type of support altogether. You can ask your GP, local hospital or an occupational therapist to refer you to a qualified EMS assessor.
Once you’re assessed and approved, your equipment is supplied through Whaikaha’s official regional providers:
Separate from equipment funding, the Disability Allowance is a weekly payment from Work and Income (MSD) that helps with the ongoing extra costs of having a disability — such as medical fees, travel to appointments, or extra equipment costs. It’s income-tested, and you’ll usually need a medical certificate from your doctor confirming your disability and its costs. If your mobility needs come with regular extra expenses, it’s worth checking whether you qualify at the Work and Income website.
Not everyone qualifies for funded equipment, and assessments can take time. If you need equipment sooner, or want something outside what’s funded, buying directly is often quicker and gives you a wider choice. We ship mobility equipment NZ-wide with free delivery, and we’re happy to provide a quote and specifications you can also use to support a funding application. If your need is injury-related, you may also be able to access support through ACC — ask your assessor.
You may be able to get a wheelchair on loan through Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People if you have a disability expected to last at least six months and an EMS assessor confirms you need one. The wheelchair is loaned rather than owned by you, and eligibility is decided after assessment.
People with a disability (physical, intellectual, sensory or age-related) expected to last six months or more, who are assessed by an EMS assessor and are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services in New Zealand.
A hospital or adjustable bed may be funded through Whaikaha if an EMS assessor determines you need one. Speak to your GP, occupational therapist or hospital about an EMS assessment to start the process.
Mobility scooters aren’t always funded the same way as wheelchairs — an EMS assessor will advise what mobility equipment you’re eligible for based on your needs. If a scooter isn’t funded, buying directly is an option, and we can help with a quote.
Whaikaha funds the equipment itself (on loan, after an EMS assessment). The Disability Allowance is a separate weekly Work and Income payment that helps with the ongoing extra costs of disability. You may be able to access both.
For the Disability Allowance, yes — you’ll generally need a medical certificate from your doctor. For equipment funding, the EMS assessment is the key requirement rather than a certificate.
It varies depending on assessment availability and the equipment needed. If you need something quickly, renting or buying directly may be faster than waiting for funded equipment.
Whether you’re waiting on an assessment or would rather buy directly, we can help. Browse our range of electric wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, mobility scooters and home care equipment, all with free NZ-wide delivery — or contact our team for a quote you can also use to support a funding application.
This article is general information only and doesn’t guarantee eligibility or outcomes. Funding decisions are made by Whaikaha, Accessible, Enable New Zealand, Work and Income or ACC. Always check the official sources linked above for current criteria.
