Vocational medical services
This service supports clients who are unable to return to their usual job due to injury, or whose pathway back to work is not straightforward and require extra guidance.
On this page
What are vocational medical services?
Vocational medical services provides support with identifying suitable alternative work types for a client who is unable to return to work in their pre-injury role and advice on the best approach for achieving a return-to-work outcome.
Apply to become a Vocational Medical Services assessor
Our Vocational Medical Services (VMS) contract is an opportunity for medical practitioners to use their clinical expertise and gain flexibility and professional fulfilment, while making a meaningful impact on clients’ lives.
We engage independent medical practitioners as contracted VMS assessors to deliver specified assessment services. ACC must appoint appropriate VMS assessors in accordance with the Accident Compensation Act 2001 and VMS Service Schedule.
The contract includes three medical assessment services and one advisory service. When working on this service, you can be considered to provide some or all these services.
These services include:
This service enables you as a medical assessor, to provide advice on the best approach for achieving a return-to-work outcome for a client at any point within their rehabilitation journey.
This service enables you to provide your expert view and recommendation on fitness for work certification and/or the ability of a client to participate in a vocational rehabilitation programme at any point in their rehabilitation.
This service involves a thorough medical assessment that:
- Clarifies the diagnosis and barriers to rehabilitation
- Identifies a client’s functional restrictions impacting on participation in work activities
- Identifies appropriate treatment and rehabilitation
- Determines which work types are medically sustainable or likely to be at the time of the assessment, in the future or are not sustainable.
This assessment provides:
- An expert opinion on the client’s capacity to undertake certain work types as identified in their Vocational Independence Occupational Assessment (VIOA).
- The completeness of the agreed rehabilitation.
- Advice as to whether the client has achieved vocational independence.
Who can apply to provide these services?
To be considered to deliver some or all services on this contract, you must be a Medical Practitioner registered with the New Zealand Medical Council and hold a current Annual Practising Certificate with vocational registration in one of the following scopes:
- General Practice, and hold a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Occupational Medicine, or equivalent
- Occupational Medicine
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Other relevant vocational scope, you must hold a Fellowship of a recognised, relevant College and hold a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Occupational Medicine, or equivalent
General Practitioners (FRNZCGP) who do not hold a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Occupational Medicine, or equivalent, may be considered on a case-by-case basis if they are:
Ready to apply?
If you’re an experienced Medical Practitioner interested in becoming a VMS assessor, you can apply in the following ways:
- Complete this online form, or
- Via GETS | ACC - VMS Services Contract
If you would like to know more about this service - please email the Portfolio Advisor
Vocational medical services - operational guidelines
A guide to working under the VMS service schedule. It covers requirements, assessments, reports and invoicing.
Vocational medical services - service schedule
This sets out how you'll work with us if you're providing vocational medical services under a health contract.
Last published: 27 January 2026