Employing new staff

Reimbursement for pre-employment drug tests

If you need a candidate to take a drug test as part of your job application process and they fail, we may be able to reimburse you for this cost if they’re getting a benefit with full-time or part-time work obligations.

Who can be reimbursed

When we speak with clients about a role that requires a pre-employment drug test, we let them know they will have to take this test. If a candidate getting a benefit with full-time or part-time work obligations fails a drug test you can be reimbursed if:

  • your job vacancy is listed with us
  • you tell us when you list the vacancy that the job requires a drug test
  • we refer the candidate to you
  • you meet the New Zealand standard for drug testing
  • the candidate is getting a benefit and has full or part-time work obligations
  • you apply within 30 working days of the drug test being taken
  • the costs are the actual and reasonable costs of the test
  • MSD has been provided with the result of the test and is satisfied that the result relates to the candidate and that the candidate has failed the test.

How much you can get

We’ll pay the actual and reasonable costs for each failed test, including GST.
How much we can pay depends on the type of test:

  • for in-house screening we pay maximum of $30
  • for external screening we pay maximum of $70
  • for evidential testing we pay maximum of $120.

Evidential testing

Evidential testing can be used if a candidate rejects the result of the screening test.

If a candidate passes the evidential drug test an employer cannot be reimbursed for the cost of the rejected screening test.

If a candidate waives their right to an evidential test after failing a screening test, the employer cannot be reimbursed for the costs of any evidential test carried out.

How to apply

You need to:

If it's approved, we'll pay the money directly to you.

If a candidate rejects the result

When they applied for a benefit, we told the candidate that if they don’t agree with the result of a screening test the best time to raise it is straight away with the person doing the test.

If a candidate rejects the result, you, the training provider or the drug test provider can choose to send the sample to a laboratory for evidential testing to confirm the result.

You can get reimbursed for an evidential test if the sample fails again as long as the candidate has not waived their right to an evidential test.

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Need help? Give the Employer Services team a call

0800 778 008

Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

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