The UCAT cost for a New Zealand student was A$335 for a standard test in 2026. UCAT ANZ 2027 is the test you sit in July 2027 for 2028 university entry, and its fee hasn't been published yet. You pay in Australian dollars, so what it costs you in New Zealand dollars depends on the exchange rate and your bank.
What is the UCAT cost in NZ?
Until 2027 prices come out, the 2026 fee schedule is the safest number to budget from. The standard fee was the same whether you sat in Australia or New Zealand. You paid by debit or credit card when you booked, and because Pearson is a US merchant, your bank could add an international transaction charge on top.
| Charge | 2026 amount | When it applied |
|---|---|---|
| Standard test | A$335 | Australia or NZ |
| Overseas test | A$405 | Outside Australia and NZ |
| Concession | A$240 | Eligible Australian candidates |
| Late booking | A$85 extra | 16 to 29 May |
| Final late booking | A$185 extra | 30 May to 5 June |
| Refund fee | A$50 deducted | Cancel by deadline |
| Late reschedule | A$25 | After free cut off |
Sources: ucat.edu.au, checked 14 October 2026.
Treat these as 2026 values. They aren't a 2027 price list. The standard charge was A$325 in 2025 and A$335 in 2026, and that one change can't tell you what the 2027 fee will be. Set your budget in AUD, then check the conversion your card gives you on the day you pay.
Can NZ students get a UCAT concession?
The 2026 concession scheme needed a current Australian Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card. A New Zealand Community Services Card didn't qualify, and you couldn't get the concession price at all if you were sitting outside Australia. If you're testing in New Zealand, budget for the standard fee. The official concession rules set out the evidence and voucher process.
If you hold an eligible Australian card and you're testing in Australia, read those rules properly. Approval was separate from booking and took about three business days. In 2026 the concession application deadline was Monday 11 May, which came before the standard booking deadline. Neither the 2027 deadline nor the eligibility wording has been released yet.
What does a late UCAT booking cost?
In the 2026 cycle, booking after Friday 15 May and by Friday 29 May added A$85. The final late period ended on Friday 5 June and added A$185. Both surcharges sat on top of the test fee, and you didn't get them back. That made a standard NZ booking in the first late period A$420 in 2026, and a booking in the final period A$520. We worked those totals out from the published 2026 prices, so don't read them as 2027 quotes.
Booking late also leaves you with less choice. Test centres only have so many appointments, and the Consortium said the final weeks had very few slots left. Our 2027 dates page keeps the confirmed and pending milestones in one place. Put the booking deadline in your calendar as soon as UCAT ANZ updates its site.
What are the refund and reschedule costs?
In 2026, if you cancelled by Friday 12 June at 11:59pm AEST, you got the test fee back less A$50. You had to cancel through your Pearson account. Late booking fees weren't refunded. After that deadline there was no refund at all, though you could still cancel if you weren't going to attend.
Rescheduling was free before 29 June 2026 at 11:59pm AEST. After that, Pearson charged A$25, and you could only move up to 24 hours before your appointment, and only if another slot existed. Being sick didn't get you out of the deadline or the fee. To change the country you were testing in, you had to cancel and book again. Read what to do if you cannot sit before a missed appointment turns into a no-show.
How should I budget for a 2027 sitting?
Start from the published 2026 fee of A$335, then leave some room in case the price changes when 2027 fees come out. Add travel if your local centre doesn't have a day that suits you. A passport or other accepted ID can have its own cost and wait time. Keep the test separate from your university application costs, because this fee doesn't cover any of those.
If you're aiming for Otago Medicine, UCAT is a test requirement for the relevant applicant routes, but the 2028 thresholds are still unknown. Auckland Medicine has dropped UCAT for 2028 entry, and Otago Dentistry doesn't use it. Our full UCAT ANZ 2027 guide explains who has a reason to pay the test fee in the first place.
Sorting out payment is part of sorting out your booking. In the 2026 process, your appointment wasn't secured until the payment went through and a confirmation showed up in Pearson's system. Check that your card can make a purchase in Australian dollars and that its transaction limit covers the fee. If you're travelling to another NZ city, price the trip before you pick a slot. A cheaper trip on a different day could save more than a late fee would cost, but you're the one who knows your transport and accommodation options. Use this to set a budget, and don't let it push your booking into the final late period.
FAQ
Is the UCAT fee in NZ dollars?
No. UCAT ANZ published its 2026 fees in Australian dollars. Your card's conversion and any bank charge decide what comes out in NZ dollars.
Does a Community Services Card reduce the UCAT fee?
No. It didn't qualify for the 2026 concession scheme, which required specific Australian cards.
Can I get a refund if I am sick?
The 2026 refund deadline and A$50 deduction applied whatever the reason. After that deadline the test fee wasn't refunded.
If you're budgeting for prep as well as the test itself, see how Cutline UCAT practice works before you decide what to spend.
Cutline is not affiliated with or endorsed by the UCAT ANZ Consortium or the University of Otago. UCAT is used here only to describe the test. Official information checked 14 October 2026. Check ucat.edu.au for the 2027 cycle when it is published.
