Moving to Australia from New Zealand?
Get all information you need to make a successful and stress-free move across the ditch.
The latest wage figures in Australia show those across the Tasman earn an average of $1525 a week (Sydney) compared to $1060 a week in NZ after tax (Auckland).
Consumer prices in Sydney are 1.79% higher than in Auckland. Grocery prices are 0.16% higher in Sydney than in Auckland. Restaurant prices in Sydney are 10.08% lower than in Auckland. Rent prices in Sydney are 36.66% higher than in Auckland.
Read more about moving to Sydney here: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/moving-to-sydney-nsw/.
But lets compare other cities, because Sydney is the most expensive city in Australia to live…
As at the 27th of May 2021, the average net salary after tax in the Gold Coast is $5436.74/mth and $4592.26/mth in Auckland. Consumer prices in Gold Coast are 6.14% lower than in Auckland. Grocery prices in Gold Coast are 3.62% lower than in Auckland. Restaurant prices in Gold Coast are 3.66% lower than in Auckland. Rent prices in Gold Coast are 5.87% lower than in Auckland.
It’s cheaper to live in the Gold Coast and the sun doesn’t stop shinning. Apart from when there’s a thunder storm and you can actually see the lighting, which you can’t in Auckland. It’s quite stunning.
Budget Direct has also compared housing, utilities, transport, groceries, eating out, alcohol, clothing and leisure between the Gold Coast and Auckland: https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/interactives/costofliving/compare/auckland-vs-gold-coast/.
Read more about moving to the Gold Coast here: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/moving-to-the-gold-coast-qld/.
The average net salary after tax is $396.98/mth higher in Perth than Auckland. With Perth having an average salary of $4989.24/mth and $4592.26/mth in Auckland. Consumer prices in Perth are 2.49% lower than in Auckland. Grocery prices in Perth are 2.34% lower than in Auckland. Restaurant prices in Perth are 5.38% lower than in Auckland. Rent prices in Perth are 35.09% lower than in Auckland.
Fun fact about Perth… Perth has more hours of sunshine than any other Australian city.
Budget Direct has also compared housing, utilities, transport, groceries, eating out, alcohol, clothing and leisure between Auckland and Perth: https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/interactives/costofliving/compare/auckland-vs-perth/.
Read more about moving to Perth here: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/moving-to-perth-wa/.
The average net salary after tax is $817.11/mth higher in Melbourne than Auckland. With Melbourne having an average salary of $5409.37/mth and $4592.26/mth in Auckland. Consumer prices in Melbourne are 5.96% lower than in Auckland. Grocery prices in Melbourne are 1.01% higher than in Auckland. Restaurant prices in Melbourne are 13.16% lower than in Auckland. Rent prices in Melbourne are 1.97% lower than in Auckland.
Therefore it’s cheaper to live in Melbourne than in Auckland and you earn more. The weather in both cities are quite similar, where both cities experience four seasons.Melbourne is the sports, arts and cultural capital of Australia.
Budget Direct has also compared housing, utilities, transport, groceries, eating out, alcohol, clothing and leisure between Auckland and Meblourne: https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/interactives/costofliving/compare/auckland-vs-melbourne/.
Read more about moving to Melbourne here: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/moving-to-melbourne-vic/.
The average net salary after tax is $610.84/mth higher in Brisbane than Auckland. With Brisbane having an average salary of $5203.10/mth and $4592.26/mth in Auckland. Consumer prices in Brisbane are 1.72% lower than in Auckland. Grocery prices in Brisbane are 2.51% higher than in Auckland. Restaurant prices in Brisbane are 0.94% lower than in Auckland. Rent prices in Brisbane are 16.42% lower than in Auckland.
Once again, it’s cheaper to live in Brisbane than in Auckland and you will earn more. Brisbane is a beautiful city. One of my favourite things about Brisbane is the blue sky winter days. You will need a cardigan in winter but not a puffer jacket. It’s humid subtropical climate, has warmer weather than both Sydney and Melbourne.
Budget Direct has also compared housing, utilities, transport, groceries, eating out, alcohol, clothing and leisure between Auckland and Brisbane: https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/interactives/costofliving/compare/auckland-vs-brisbane/.
Read more about moving to Brisbane here: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/moving-to-brisbane-qld/.
When you move to Australia on an SCV (special category visa) there are a number of exclusions to Government help that you should be aware of.
Basically the Australia Government doesn’t give you any handouts apart from family payments, including Family Tax Benefit, Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement, Child Care Subsidy and Parental Leave Pay, and medical care under Medicare.
No Newstart Allowance (unemployment) benefits, Parenting Payment and Youth Allowance. No access to Austudy and HELP student loans. No Disability Insurance Scheme and Disability Support Pension.
You are on your own. If you aren’t earning money, the Australia Government will not help you. You will need to rely on family and friends to support you.
For a full list of SCV Visa Exclusions read this post: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/scv-visa-exclusions/.
If there is anything else you would like to know about moving to Australia from New Zealand, please ask me a question using the below comment system and I will do my best to find the information you need.
Hi… I’m JJ Smith.
I’m the creator and editor of Moving to Australia and have been for 15 years! I know everything there is to know about New Zealanders moving their families and life to Australia. Either from first hand experiences and research or through the questions from visitors to this website… and I’m here to help!
I love helping people via Moving to Australia.
Providing the answers to questions we all ask when deciding whether to make the move from New Zealand to Australia. Even giving individual specific advice where needed.
I have learned a lot over the last 15 years from personal experience and through interacting with visitors. This is my job, making sure the information here is comprehensive and up to date.
If you would like to help me, you can use one of my referral partners.
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Kaz Vanderpols
October 4, 2021 at 5:06 amHi. I am a NZ Citizen and lived in Australua from 2003 to 2005, the again from 2007 till 2014, where I worked owned a home and paid tax. My partner is an Australian citizen and wants to move back home now from NZ where we are residing.
I am now 65 and would still like to be able to work. Am I entitled to Medicare as I have a Medicare number and would I receive a pension from NZ?
JJ Smith
October 20, 2021 at 3:23 amHi Kaz,
Thanks for your comment and sorry for the delay in replying.
I don’t see any reason why you can’t moved back to Australia as an NZ citizen.
Please read this post on Can a NZ citizen get an Australian benefit or pension: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/can-a-nz-citizen-get-an-australian-benefit-or-pension/.
Yes you will be eligible for Medicare again.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Kaz
October 21, 2021 at 1:50 amHI
Thanks so much for that. As I’ve worked in Australia fir about 10 years before I still have an Aystralusn bank account and shares in Australia, plus a TFN.
I will check out the pension side of it and also we have desired Sudmivers over a week ago but have had no response as yet.
Thanks for your help.
Kaz
Dallas
June 21, 2021 at 12:51 amHi there
I see in the information above about Kiwis not being entitled to unemployment/sickness benefits etc…is? that just until permanent residency for over two years is achieved? Please refer to exert from NZ Govt website below…….
QUOTE
Permanent residency
If you move to Australia as an NZ citizen you will not automatically get permanent residency status in Australia. However, you will have a Special Category visa that means you can live, study and work in Australia for as long as you like — this does not mean you have permanent residency.
You need to apply for permanent residency. Permanent residency means you can:
apply for unemployment or sickness benefits — you cannot receive these benefits until 2 years after being made a permanent resident in Australia
sponsor family members who want to apply for permanent residency, and
become an Australian citizen.
JJ Smith
June 21, 2021 at 1:54 amHi Dallas,
Thanks for your comment.
You are not entitled to benefits until after you have been a permanent resident for two years. Then you can live like an Australian and the government will help support you if need be.
Therefore you need to be able to work and support yourself on a Special Category Visa (SCV) living in Australia.
Thanks
Dallas
June 21, 2021 at 5:29 pmThanks so much JJ for your prompt reply. Never been on any kind of benefit in my life but in this eco climate you never know what’s around the corner and if we do chose to move to Oz, we need to make informed decisions considering all possible obstacles and solutions… and your website has been an amazing help.
We have lived in Oz before and had TFN’s… am I correct in assuming if we return it will be the same number or will they issue new ones?
Regards
Dallas
JJ Smith
June 22, 2021 at 9:52 amHi Dallas,
Yes it is good to be realistic about the move.
A positive that you probably know is that kiwi’s are highly regarded as good workers in Australia and in some industries are preferred because they don’t have the backup of getting a benefit.
Here is the link to how to find your lost TFN: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-file-number/Lost-or-stolen-TFN/.
Thanks.