# Web Capture: Increased Mileage Rates for Home and Community Support Workers

**Source:** Beehive.govt.nz (New Zealand Government)
**Release URL:** https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/increased-mileage-rates-home-and-community-support-workers
**Date accessed:** 8 June 2026
**Capture type:** Full ministerial release

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## Original Release Text

**Minister:** Hon Simeon Brown (Health)
**Date:** 2 April 2026

Home and community support workers will receive a temporary 30 per cent increase to their mileage rates to help offset rising fuel costs, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

"The mileage rate will increase from 63.5 cents to 82.5 cents per kilometre, effective from today.

"Home and community support workers play a critical role in delivering essential services to some of New Zealand's most vulnerable people, including older people, disabled people, and those recovering from injury or illness.

"Their role requires frequent daily travel to provide care in people's homes, and we are acting quickly to ease the pressure of rising fuel costs caused by conflict in the Middle East while they carry out this vital work."

The increased rate applies to home and community support workers employed by providers contracted to Health New Zealand, the Ministry of Social Development, and ACC.

The increased rate will be in place for up to 12 months, or until the price of 91 octane petrol falls below $3 per litre for four consecutive weeks – whichever comes first.

"This is a practical, common-sense step to ensure continuity of care for New Zealanders who rely on these services every day.

"We can't control global fuel prices, but we can make sure workers delivering essential care are supported to keep services running," Mr Brown says.

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## Summary

| Detail               | Value                                                                     |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Previous rate        | 63.5 cents/km                                                             |
| New rate             | 82.5 cents/km                                                             |
| Increase             | 30%                                                                       |
| Effective            | 2 April 2026                                                              |
| Trigger for increase | Rising fuel costs (Middle East conflict)                                  |
| Duration             | Up to 12 months, or until 91 octane petrol < $3/L for 4 consecutive weeks |
| Eligible workers     | Home & community support workers under contracts with Health NZ, MSD, ACC |

## Relevance to Knowledge Base

- **Category:** Home Care Workforce workforce support measure
- **Cross-reference:** Budget 2026 fuel crisis response package
- **Follow-up:** Monitor for extension or permanency of rate increase; track fuel prices to gauge duration
- **Related KB files:** `04_Home_Care_Support_and_Informal_Carers`, Workforce trackers

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_Part of the NZ Seniors Knowledge Base — automated capture_