Applying for certification

Apply for certification

You can apply online for certification under the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001 via the Ministry of Health's Provider Regulation and Monitoring System (PRMS).

The online form allows you to:

• register a new legal entity
• apply for a new certificate (eg, for a new site or provider purchase)
• renew an existing certificate
• apply for additional services on an existing certificate or notify a change of premises.

Guidance on using the online forms

Download guides for using the online application system:

You can also watch video tutorials and find other helpful information on using the online forms application.

Need help? If you're unable to apply online, please contact us for assistance.

Application processing

The Ministry of Health will make an assessment to ensure the Director-General of Health is satisfied that your health and/or disability service meets the relevant standards and the requirements of the Act.

This will assess:

• your application for certification
• the audit report (including any corrective actions)
• other relevant information.

Processing time: up to 20 working days after receiving all required documents from you and your designated auditing agency. Once all the requirements for certification are met, you will be issued with a certificate for the services you provide. Please take this into consideration when applying and consult with your auditing agency well in advance.

Fees and required documents

• Application fee: $419.11 (invoiced during the online process).
• An audit by a designated auditing agency.

Additional supporting documents for new providers:

If you are purchasing an existing service, written confirmation from your solicitors will be required to verify that settlement has occurred. This confirmation must be provided after the Ministry issues a letter of intent to certify, which follows the audit conducted by your designated auditing agency.

Supporting information

The Act and relevant Standards

Learn about the Act and the Standards you must meet on the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001 page.

Designated auditing agencies

As a provider, you must select an auditing agency that has been designated by the Director-General of Health. The agency you choose must be designated to audit the specific type of health and/or disability service you provide or intend to provide. View a list of designated audit agencies.

When applying for certification, you’ll need to include the name of the designated auditing agency you’ve contracted to audit your service(s) against the relevant standards.

Once the audit is complete, the designated auditing agency will provide a copy of the audit report to both you and the Ministry of Health. If applicable,  the agency may also carry out an audit of your service contract with the Ministry of Health at the same time.

Services you can be certified for

• Hospital Care
  • Children's Health Services
  • Surgical Services
  • Medical Services
  • Maternity Services
  • Mental Health Services
  • Geriatric Services
• Rest Home Care
• Residential Disability Care
  • Intellectual Services
  • Physical Services
  • Sensory Services
  • Psychiatric Services
• Fertility Services

Ongoing obligations

Once certified, you must notify the Director-General of Health in writing (per Section 31 of the Act) if:

• your organisation’s contact details change
• you add new service locations
• there are changes in membership of your governing body
• serious incidents occur that have or may put at risk the health or safety of people for whom services are being provided
• there are police investigations related to the service or the premises where services are delivered
• a death occurs of a person to whom you provided services, that you have reported to a coroner under the Coroners Act 2006. Under the Coroners Act 2006, the death must be  reported to a coroner.

Please ensure you take the time to familiarise yourself with section 31 of the Act on the NZ Legislation website , which details the information that must be provided.

Certification expiry

To maintain your certification, you must coordinate with your auditing agency to complete an audit and submit your re-certification application before your current certification expires. Be sure to allow adequate time for both the audit and the certification process.

If your certification expires before a new one is approved, you will no longer be legally permitted to continue to provide services.

Reconfiguration or capacity increase

No application is required if you're reconfiguring or expanding an existing site without changing the services certified. See Applying to reconfigure services or build a new premises for aged residential care for more details.

Contact us for help

If you require any further information or advice, please contact us.