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Full or partial exemptions

A client or partner may be granted a temporary exemption from meeting some or all of their work obligations or work preparation obligations.

Before MSD grants an exemption, it must check if the exemption reason is full or partial (or both).

The client or partner can be granted a partial exemption from their work obligations, if they can still:

  • plan for employment and
  • undertake some work related activities

If the client or partner is not able to do either of the above they should be granted a full exemption.

A client or partner who has a full exemption from their work obligations may still be required to attend an interview with MSD to discuss their circumstances, and when it might be appropriate for them to start planning towards a return to work.

Partners with work preparation obligations

Generally, partners with work preparation obligations can only be considered for a full exemption.

Work preparation obligations mean they are required to plan for employment and undertake work preparation activities - the equivalent of a partial exemption.

Duration

Each exemption has a maximum duration. The period an exemption is granted will depend on the client's circumstances.

At the time of granting the exemption MSD should:

  • advise the client or partner of the temporary nature of the exemption and
  • schedule a date to review the exemption, if appropriate

At the review MSD should consider the client's circumstances and whether it is appropriate to extend the exemption. MSD can ask the client to provide evidence that their exemption should be extended.

Note the period of an exemption for partners or sole parents with a health condition, injury or disability will be based on the next reassessment date recorded on their medical certificate by their registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner (or dentist or midwife where relevant).

For more information see:

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Nurse practitioners are health practitioners who are registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and hold a current annual practising certificate.

Nurse practitioners are expert or specialist nurses with advanced education, clinical training and experience. They have demonstrated clinical competence and have the legal authority to practice as independent healthcare providers.

All nurse practitioners have a unique identifying number called a Health Practitioners Index number (HPI number).

Some nurse practitioners have specialised ...

A medical practitioner is commonly referred to as a doctor. Medical practitioners are health practitioners who are registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand as practitioners of the profession of medicine and hold a current practising certificate.

All medical practitioners have a unique identifying number called a Health Practitioners Index number (HPI number).

Medical practitioners don't need to have completed their training in New Zealand but must be registered with the New Zealand ...

A dentist or dental practitioner is a health practitioner who is registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand and cares for any disease, disorder or condition of the teeth and associated structures.

Dentists can only sign medical certificates for conditions that have occurred because of dental work or dental conditions.

A midwife is a health practitioner who is registered with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand and trained to provide necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period up to 6 weeks, to facilitate births and to provide care for the newborn.

Midwives can only sign medical certificates for pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions within the range of the midwives' profession.

This includes signing medical certificates for complications ...