Australian Age Pension for New Zealanders (2026 Guide) by JJ Smith 28 March 2026 written by JJ Smith 28 March 2026 5.3K Can New Zealanders get the Australian Age Pension? Yes — New Zealanders living in Australia may be eligible for the Australian Age Pension, but the rules are slightly different from the NZ pension and those for Australian citizens. Eligibility depends on: your age how long you have lived in Australia and/or New Zealand your income your assets Australia and New Zealand have a social security agreement, which allows periods of residence in both countries to be counted when assessing eligibility. Because of this agreement, many New Zealanders who move to Australia later in life can qualify for an Australian pension, even if they haven’t lived in Australia for their entire working life. However, there are a few important rules and deadlines, especially if you are already receiving NZ Superannuation when you move. Quick Summary: Australian Age Pension for New Zealanders If you’re planning to move to Australia or have recently arrived, here are the key things to know. The Age Pension age is currently 67 You generally need 10 years of working-age residence (age 20–67) in Australia and/or NZ The pension is income and asset-tested If you already receive NZ Super, it usually continues for up to 26 weeks after leaving NZ During that time you should apply for the Australian Age Pension Editor Note: I highly recommend using an Age Pension calculator to get an estimate of how much pension you might receive, as this can affect when you should apply: If you’re eligible for the full Australian Age Pension: apply as soon as you arrive in Australia, as it is higher than the NZ Super. The maximum fortnightly rate for a single person in Australia is up to A$1,200.90 (after tax), while the gross weekly rate for a single person in New Zealand is approximately NZ$1,043.24. If you only qualify for a partial Australian Age Pension, it can sometimes make sense to delay applying until closer to the end of the 26-week period when NZ Super stops. This helps avoid overlapping payments that could later need to be repaid. NZ Super rates change each year in April, where the Australia Age Pension updates twice a year (20 March and 20 September). In this post, you will find helpful information on: What to do before leaving New Zealand What to do after arriving in Australia What you need to do within 26 weeks of leaving New Zealand At what age can you receive the Australian Age Pension? Residency requirements for New Zealanders How to apply for the Australian Age Pension Australian Age Pension Payment Rates Age Pension income test Age Pension asset test How homeownership affects the pension Age Pension calculator Working after pension age Disability Support Pension for New Zealanders Can you receive NZ Super and the Australian Age Pension? How NZ Super and Australian Age Pension Compare Common Mistakes New Zealanders Make with Pensions Real-Life Example Scenarios for Kiwis Moving to Australia Transferring your KiwiSaver to Australia Keeping Centrelink up to date Where to get help and advice What to do before leaving New Zealand If you are receiving NZ Superannuation, Veteran’s Pension, or another long-term payment, there are a few things you should do before moving. 1. Notify Work and Income Advise Work and Income that you plan to move to Australia. 2. Gather important documents Before leaving New Zealand, make sure you have copies of: Passport Birth certificate Marriage certificate (if applicable) Bank account details Tax file information Medical reports (if receiving Supported Living Payment) Having these ready will make the Australian application process much easier. 3. Check any overseas pension arrangements If you receive an overseas pension through New Zealand’s Special Banking Option, you may need to arrange for the overseas agency to pay you directly instead. For assistance, contact Senior Services International. What to do after arriving in Australia Once you arrive in Australia, you should begin preparing your Age Pension application through Centrelink. Depending on your situation, you may also need to apply for: Disability Support Pension Carer Payment These payments are available to New Zealand citizens living in Australia, including those on a Special Category Visa (SCV). Most New Zealanders automatically receive an SCV visa when entering Australia, which allows them to live and work there. What you need to do within 26 weeks of leaving New Zealand If you already receive New Zealand Superannuation or the Veteran’s Pension, there is an important rule to understand. You can usually continue receiving your New Zealand payments for up to 26 weeks after leaving New Zealand. This period gives you time to apply for the Australian Age Pension. When should you apply? The timing of your application can affect your payments. If you qualify for the full Australian Age Pension It often makes sense to apply soon after arriving in Australia, because the maximum Australian Age Pension is generally higher than NZ Superannuation. If you may qualify for a reduced Age Pension Some people choose to apply closer to the end of the 26-week period if they are still receiving NZ Superannuation. This can help avoid overlapping payments that might later need to be repaid. Because every situation is different, it is a good idea to contact Centrelink International Services before applying. What happens if you don’t apply within 26 weeks? If you do not apply for the Australian Age Pension within 26 weeks of leaving New Zealand, your New Zealand pension payments will normally stop. This is why it is important to start the application process early. At what age can you receive the Australian Age Pension? The Age Pension age in Australia is currently 67. However, the age depends on your date of birth. Date of birth Age Pension age 1 July 1952 – 31 Dec 1953 65 years 6 months 1 Jan 1954 – 30 June 1955 66 years 1 July 1955 – 31 Dec 1956 66 years 6 months 1 Jan 1957 onwards 67 years Residency requirements for New Zealanders To qualify for the Age Pension under the Australia–New Zealand Social Security Agreement, you must have: At least 10 years of working-age residence Working-age residence means time lived in Australia or New Zealand between age 20 and Age Pension age. These periods can be combined across both countries. How to apply for the Australian Age Pension The easiest way to apply is online through Centrelink. Step 1 — Set up your accounts You will need: a myGov account your Centrelink account linked to myGov You can set this up at: my.gov.au Step 2 — Prepare your documents You will need supporting documents that show: identity bank account details tax file number (TFN) relationship status income assets You can read more about the documents needed on the Services Australia supporting documents page, which provides examples of each. Step 3 — Submit your claim Online application steps: Sign in to myGov Select Make a claim Choose Older Australians Select Age Pension Follow the prompts You must submit the claim within 13 weeks of starting it. If you cannot apply online You can also: print the Age Pension claim form request help from Centrelink International Services Australian Age Pension Information Booklet Here is the Information you need to know about your claim for Age Pension and Pension Bonus (Ci006) (Information Booklet), so you can read through the questions and get a better understanding of what’s required. You can view, print and complete the Claim for Age Pension and Pension Bonus form here and the Income and Assets form. If you would like to speak with someone about applying, please call Canterlink International on 0800441248. Australian Age Pension Payment Rates The amount you receive depends on: your income your assets your relationship status All income and assets are taken into account, whether they are Australian-based or still in New Zealand. Rates are updated twice each year: 20 March 20 September Australia Age Pension rates (from 20 March 2026): Per fortnight Single Couple each Couple combined Couple apart due to ill health Maximum basic rate $1,100.30 $829.40 $1,658.80 $1,100.30 Maximum Pension Supplement $86.50 $65.20 $130.40 $86.50 Energy Supplement $14.10 $10.60 $21.20 $14.10 Total $1,200.90 $905.20 $1,810.40 $1,200.90 * Rates as per 20 March 2026. Check here for updated rates. There has been an increase of $22.20 per fortnight for singles and $16.70 per person for couples from 20 September 2025. Age Pension income test The Age Pension is income tested. If your income exceeds certain thresholds, your payment will be reduced. Income-free area Single: first $218 per fortnight is not counted Couples: first $380 combined per fortnight is not counted Above these limits, the pension reduces gradually. Age Pension asset test The Age Pension is also asset tested. Assets include: savings investments vehicles investment property superannuation income streams shares Asset limits for a full pension (example) Situation Homeowner Non-homeowner Single $321,500 $579,500 Couple $481,500 $739,500 Your main home is not counted as an asset. How homeownership affects the pension Your principal residence is exempt from the asset test. However, homeowners have lower asset limits than non-homeowners. Situations that may affect your pension include: selling your home downsizing granny-flat arrangements moving out of the home. Age Pension calculator The Age Pension Calculator on the SuperGuide website is simple and easy to use. Just enter your details in the yellow fields, and you’ll receive an estimate of the Age Pension you may be eligible for. Reminder: do not include the value of your home in your assets. If you haven’t yet sold your NZ home and purchased one in Australia, it will be difficult to get a completely accurate estimate, but still leave out your home to keep the calculation as accurate as possible. You’ll be asked to answer the following questions: Are you single or part of a couple? Do you own your own home? Value of your non-financial assets Value of your financial investments Your employment income (annually) Other income (annually) Try the Age Pension Calculator here: SuperGuide Age Pension calculator. Working after pension age You can still work while receiving the Age Pension. Australia offers a Work Bonus that allows pensioners to earn some income without reducing their pension. Work Bonus rules first $300 per fortnight from employment is not counted unused amounts accumulate in a Work Bonus income bank Maximum Work Bonus balance: $11,800 The amount accumulated in the income bank can be used to offset future income from work that would otherwise be assessable under the pension income test. The income bank amount is not time-limited; if unused, it carries forward, even across years. For more information, visit Work Bonus on the Australian Government Department of Social Services website. Disability Support Pension for New Zealanders Under the Australia–New Zealand Social Security Agreement, New Zealanders living in Australia may be able to apply for the Australian Disability Support Pension (DSP) if they have a severe disability and meet certain residency rules. To qualify for the Disability Support Pension under the agreement, you must meet three key requirements. 1. You must be considered “severely disabled” To qualify under the agreement, you must meet Australia’s definition of severe disability, which generally means: you have a physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that prevents you from working, and the condition is expected to last at least two years, and you are unable to benefit from employment support or rehabilitation programs, or you are permanently blind. Medical evidence from your doctor or specialist will be required when applying. 2. The disability must have occurred while living in Australia or New Zealand To qualify under the social security agreement, the severe disability must have occurred while you were a resident of either Australia or New Zealand. If the disability occurred while you were living in another country, you may not qualify under the agreement. 3. You must meet the residency requirements You must have: lived in Australia and/or New Zealand for at least 10 years, and usually lived in Australia for at least 12 months before applying. Periods of residence in both countries can be combined to help meet the 10-year requirement. Important note The Disability Support Pension is income and asset tested, similar to the Age Pension. This means your income, savings, investments, and other assets may affect how much you can receive. Where to get help If you think you may qualify for the Disability Support Pension, you can contact: Centrelink International Services New Zealand Phone: 0800 441 248 Australian Phone: 131 673 They can explain the eligibility rules and help you start the application process. Can you receive NZ Super and the Australian Age Pension? Once your applications are processed, you may receive payments from both New Zealand and Australia, e.g., your payment may consist of a NZ Superannuation payment and an Australian Age Pension payment. However, the total amount you receive is generally limited to what an Australian resident would receive. Because of this, the final payment may include: a component from New Zealand a component from Australia How NZ Super and Australian Age Pension Compare Many Kiwis wonder how their NZ Superannuation compares with the Australian Age Pension. Here’s a quick comparison to make it easier to plan your move. Status NZ Super Australian Age Pension Difference Single NZ$1,043.24/week A$1,200.90/fortnight +A$146.56/week* Couple (each) NZ$803/week A$905.20/fortnight +A$93.85/week* * As at 20 March 2026. ** Based on current exchange rates and the maximum Australian Age Pension. Exact amounts will vary depending on income, assets, and living arrangements. Key points to note: The Australian Age Pension is generally higher than NZ Super for most Kiwis. Payments include additional supplements like Energy Supplement and Pension Supplement. Exchange rates can affect your NZ$ equivalent, so it’s good to check your fortnightly payments after conversion. If eligible for the full Australian Age Pension, it usually makes sense to apply soon after arrival in Australia. This section helps you understand how much more (or less) you could receive in Australia compared to staying in New Zealand. Common Mistakes New Zealanders Make with Pensions Moving to Australia and applying for the Age Pension can be confusing, and many Kiwis make simple mistakes that could cost them time or money. Here are the top ones to avoid: Mistake Why it matters Waiting too long to apply for the Australian Age Pension NZ Super payments stop after 26 weeks if you don’t apply Assuming NZ Super continues automatically You must submit an application to continue receiving payments in Australia Not reporting income or assets to Centrelink Could result in overpayment and needing to repay later Overlooking your partner’s eligibility Could reduce or increase your combined pension Not using the Work Bonus If you’re still working part-time, you could be missing out on extra pension payments Pro tip: Keep a checklist and gather all your documents early. It will save you a lot of stress and ensures you get the full pension you’re entitled to. Real-Life Example Scenarios for Kiwis Moving to Australia Sometimes it helps to see how the rules apply in real life. Here are a few examples based on common situations: Example 1: Single retiree moving at 67 NZ Super: NZ$1,043/week Australian Age Pension: A$1,200.90/fortnight Outcome: Receives a combination of NZ Super and Australian Age Pension for the first 26 weeks, then full Australian pension. Result: slightly higher income than staying in NZ. Example 2: Couple with significant assets Total assets exceed the maximum for a full pension They may only receive a partial Age Pension Outcome: Selling or downsizing a home, or restructuring assets, can increase the pension entitlement. Example 3: Working retiree over pension age Works part-time while receiving the Age Pension Outcome: The Work Bonus allows the first $300 per fortnight of employment income to be excluded from the income test. Any unused amount accumulates in a Work Bonus “bank” (up to $11,800), which can be used to offset future income assessments. These examples make it easier to see how your own situation might work and why it’s worth getting advice early. Transferring your KiwiSaver to Australia If you move permanently to Australia, you may wish to transfer your KiwiSaver to an Australian superannuation fund. This is optional. Steps include: Choose an Australian super fund Join the fund Complete the KiwiSaver transfer form Arrange the transfer through your provider For more information, read my Australian Super or KiwiSaver for your Home Deposit posts. Keeping Centrelink up to date Once you receive a pension, you must inform Centrelink if: your income changes your assets change you travel overseas you receive an inheritance or a large financial gift Keeping your details up to date helps avoid overpayments or repayment obligations. Where to get help and advice Several organisations offer free help with retirement planning. Helpful resources include: Financial Information Service (FIS) MoneySmart National Debt Helpline For aged care information in Australia, visit: My Aged Care. Still have questions about the Australian Age Pension? If you want more detailed information about: applying for pensions what happens if your partner is under pension age Disability Support Pension eligibility receiving NZ benefits in Australia Visit: Work and Income – Social Security Agreement with Australia. You might be interested in… The posts below might interest you: Moving money to Australia (keep more of your money) Buying a house in Australia Medicare Australia Still, got unanswered questions? If you’ve read the above content and the answer to your question isn’t there, please write a comment below and I’ll research the answer for you. Can I help you find something else? If you need advice on moving to Australia from New Zealand, I’ve created a helpful little questionnaire to point you in the right direction. It takes less than 30 seconds, so give it a go! Moving money to Australia from New Zealand 144 comments FacebookPinterest JJ Smith previous post Schools in Australia next post Costs of medication and operations in Australia You may also like The Land of OZ, Consumer Mag 3 March 2026 Documentation needed when moving to Australia 11 April 2025 A better life across the ditch (updated 2025) 3 March 2026 Open an Australian Bank Account 3 March 2026 Foreign Exchange/Money Transfer 6 November 2024 $19,000 exchange fee shocks family 14 January 2025 Australian Tax 15 October 2025 Getting Your Tax File Number (TFN) 15 October 2025 Working With Children Check in Australia (WWCC) 11 February 2026 Renting and accommodation in Australia 8 August 2025 144 comments Paul 23 November 2025 - 6:33 pm Kia ora JJ, thank you for your wonderful website, which is so helpful. My wife and I are NZ citizens and we currently receive NZ Super. We are planning on moving to Australia in 2026 to be nearer family. We will be selling our house in NZ with a view to buying one in Australia. Because the exchange rate for the NZ dollar is currently so poor, we may wish to leave the proceeds of our house sale on term deposit in NZ for longer than originally planned. If we haven’t bought a house in Australia before the 26 weeks of receiving NZ Super has elapsed, could the interest we receive from the term deposit in NZ prevent us from qualifying for the Australian Age Pension under the income test? Or is any allowance made for that? Your advice appreciated! Reply JJ Smith 26 November 2025 - 3:53 pm Hi Paul, Thanks for your comment and compliment. I’m glad the website has been useful! Unfortunately, keeping substantial funds in NZ on term deposit and earning interest could jeopardise your eligibility for the full Australian Age Pension under the income and asset tests. I completely understand your hesitation, especially given the current exchange rate — many of my visitors are holding off transferring funds to Australia for the same reason. All I can recommend is running your numbers and making an educated decision, because being close to family has it’s own benefits. Here’s an example of what I mean… All I can recommend is running your numbers and making an educated decision, because being close to family has its own benefits. Here’s an example of what I mean: – Transfer your home sale money to Australia now: If you transferred $1,000,000 today, you would receive approximately $874,765. – Wait for the exchange rate to improve: If it reached the best rate in the last year (0.935101), you could keep approximately $60,337 more. Regarding the pension, after 26 weeks of receiving NZ Super in Australia, you would likely receive a reduced Australian Age Pension of approximately $497.75 per person per fortnight ($995.50 per couple), compared with the $1,656.68 per fortnight you may currently be receiving in NZ Super.: Of course, the above figures are purely hypothetical, since I don’t know the exact amount from your house sale. I’ve linked the images so you can do the exercise yourself and adjust for your situation. What would I do? I’d start the process and work towards it! No one can predict when the exchange rate will improve — it could be six months or longer. I also highly recommend setting up an account with XE to track exchange rates and set alerts. As you can see from the chart, rates fluctuate a lot in a year, and monitoring them will help with your planning. I really hope this helps — it’s a big decision, but planning ahead will give you clarity. Please feel free to email me back with any further questions. Good luck! Reply Paul 28 December 2025 - 12:36 pm Kia ora JJ Thank you so much for taking the trouble to send such a detailed and comprehensive reply to my question. The calculator you attach is particularly helpful. I didn’t mention that we also have a UK state part-pension, which currently is paid into the Special Banking Option, and I am aware that we would need to have paid to us directly instead once we move to Australia. That, too, would count as income, of course. I take your point that it would be wise to leave our application for the AAP until as late as possible in the 26-week period of receiving NZ Super. In your experience, is there also an optimal stage at which to terminate the SBO and have the UK pension paid directly into an Australian bank account? Thanks again for your help and I will be very happy to give your website a 5-star review. Kind regards Paul Reply JJ Smith 10 December 2025 - 4:14 pm Hi Paul, Sorry for the delay in replying and thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate it! Unfortunately, I have no experience with UK pensions or the Special Banking Option, so I can only share the internet guru ChatGPT has to say: “Regarding your UK state part-pension, you’re correct that once you move to Australia, it would need to be paid directly into your Australian bank account. In terms of timing, there isn’t a strict “optimal” stage, but generally it’s best to coordinate it so the payments start close to when you actually move and are set up with your Australian bank. This helps avoid any complications with the NZ Super income assessment and ensures your income is correctly reported for the Australian Age Pension application. Many people arrange the change a few weeks before their move or shortly after arriving, but the key is making sure your Australian bank account is ready to receive it. You can also check with the UK pension service to confirm any processing times.” From the above, I would say you should wait until you are in Australia, so you have your bank account activated, and maybe after you have been there 20 weeks, which gives you plenty of time to sort before you apply for the Australia pension. I also like the suggestion to check processing times with the UK pension 🙂 Thank you so much for leaving a Google review, it really means a lot! Ngā mihi, JJ Smith Reply Lianne Smith 23 November 2025 - 9:10 am Hello, I’m considering a temporary move to Australia for approximately 5 years to help family members with their (currently) 3 under 2 years old babies until the youngest are school age. Do you know if it is possible for me to receive NZ Super for the whole time I am there? Both parents would be full time working and I would be the main care giver for the children during working hours. I am 65, so would not qualify for the Australian pension. I would rent my home out whilst in Australia. Currently I work full time, but would leave work to do this. Any info greatly appreciated, thank you! Lianne Reply JJ Smith 26 November 2025 - 2:18 pm Hi Lianne, Thanks for your comment. You’ll need to speak directly with Work and Income, as I’m not able to confirm whether you can continue receiving your NZ Super after living in Australia for 26 weeks. They can advise you based on your specific situation. You won’t be eligible for the Australian Age Pension as you’re under 67, and your NZ property and income would likely put you above their asset and income thresholds. I’ve also looked into other Australian government payments, but none appear to relate to your situation. Sorry, not the news you would have hoped for. Good luck! Reply Ray 31 October 2025 - 2:43 pm Hi I have a I feel a complicated situation I’m born in Australia and my wife is born a NZer Our ages are 78 I have worked for the NZ and Australian Governments my wife has also worked in both countries. We both have Medicare cards expiry 2028 not sure about centre link . We are contemplating moving back to Australia permanently asap. Would we qualify for a seniors cards. We are not millionaires however we do own a freehold property and not owned a property in Australia at all . Firstly would we qualify for a first home grant and what if you know the seniors rate would be for us or could you point us in the direction in NZ to clarify the above points raised. Regards Ray Reply JJ Smith 6 November 2025 - 12:28 pm Hi Ray, Thanks for your email. If you have not owned property in Australia, then you should be eligible for the FHOG in Australia. What state are you thinking of moving to? I can send you the appropriate information, or you can discover how much using this link – https://www.firsthome.gov.au/. You may also be interested my Buying a house in Australia post – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/buying-a-house-in-australia/. Regarding the senior’s card, the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is a concession card to get cheaper health care and some discounts if you’ve reached Age Pension age. To get this card you need to meet all these conditions. You must: – be Age Pension age or older – meet residence rules – not be getting an income support payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs – give us a Tax File Number or be exempt from doing so – meet identity requirements – meet the income test. Read the full conditions under who can get it – https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/residence-rules-for-commonwealth-seniors-health-card?context=21966. You and your wife should both be eligible, you as an Australian citizen and your wife as a New Zealander living in Australia on an Special Category visa (SCV). There doesn’t appear to be a newly arrived resident’s waiting period for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. If you sell your property in New Zealand and buy a home in Australia, then you have a good chance of receiving the full Australian age pension, depending on your income and assets. You can use this age pension calculator (https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator) to work out approximately how much pension you will receive or you can read more here in my Australian Age Pension post – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-age-pension/. I hope the above answers your questions. Reply Jan 13 November 2025 - 10:41 am Thank you SO much for this information – it has felt like going down a rabbit hole trying to locate key information!! I am well aware that as I will only have 26 weeks (some of these over Xmas and New Year) to get this application as well as documentation ready that this time will slip by very quickly! I’ll let you know how I get on – fingers crossed. The big “glitch” might be – will they accept that some of the cash I have is intended for purchasing a home in Aus (or back in NZ if things don’t work out) so I can’t have this included in the assets tally as it will tip me over the allowable limit for Super / Pension. Kind regards Jan Reply JJ Smith 13 November 2025 - 12:09 pm Hi Jan, You’re so welcome, I completely understand what you mean! It really can feel like a maze trying to find the right information, so I’m glad I could help make it a bit clearer. You’re absolutely right about the timing, those 26 weeks will fly by, especially over Christmas and New Year. It sounds like you’re very organised though, which will make a big difference. Regarding your cash savings, unfortunately, Centrelink generally includes all funds in your bank accounts and savings when assessing your assets, even if they’re intended for a future home purchase. However, this is a good question to ask Centerlink International, because I’m not 100% sure if they do give you a bit of leeway. Please do let me know how you get on, I’d love to hear how the process goes for you. Fingers crossed everything runs smoothly! Reply Thomas 17 October 2025 - 8:41 pm Hi JJ, I’m a New Zealand citizen who lived in New Zealand for 10 years, and I’ve been an Australian citizen living in Australia for the past 11 years. When combined, these amount to 21 years toward the Australian Working Life Residence (AWLR) requirement. I was wondering if this makes me eligible for a full or part pension overseas. I plan to retire in two years in INDIA. Do those 10 years spent in New Zealand count toward the AWLR calculation? getting pension overseas. Your advice would greatly help me make more confident decisions about my future plans for settling in India. I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into helping others! Kind Regards, Thomas Reply JJ Smith 22 October 2025 - 12:44 pm Hi Thomas, Thanks for your email. I can provide some general guidance, but I recommend confirming your specific situation with Services Australia or a financial adviser. For the Australian Age Pension, the Australian Working Life Residence (AWLR) requirement looks at periods of residence in Australia, not overseas. Your 11 years living in Australia as a citizen count toward the AWLR. The 10 years you spent in New Zealand do not count toward the AWLR itself. However, because New Zealand has a social security agreement with Australia, you may still be eligible to receive a pro-rated (partial) pension if you meet certain conditions, even while living overseas — including in India. The total pension payment would depend on your combined periods of residence and contributions. Here’s a helpful link from Services Australia that explains age pension eligibility for Australians living overseas: Services Australia – Age Pension for people living overseas. I also recommend contacting Services Australia directly, as they should be able to answer your question. I hope this helps, and best of luck with your plans for retiring in India! Reply Ellen Frances Weston 21 September 2025 - 7:11 pm Up until just over two years ago I was getting a small part pension from N.Z as my husband went back to work it was stopped my Australian one as well ..he has since retired and we have no income so we are going back on the Australian pension ..nothing has changed for me so can I get the part N.Z pension again ..thank you Ellen Weston. Reply Carol 2 September 2025 - 11:02 am Good Morning JJ, Firstly, thank you so much for all the information you send out to those of us who are thinking of moving to Australia. They are very informative and helpful. JJ, is there anyone you know of that I can get in touch with to find out if I would be eligible to receive a pension if I move to Melbourne to be closer to my only child. It is a little complicated in that my income is from a Trust which has been invested and if I cannot receive the full pension, I will not be able to survive month to month. I also have my Kiwisaver funds. I am 72. I have searched the internet for an agent who can assist with this and thought you may have a knowledge of someone who understands Centrelink’s Income and Assets Test and could give me some advice. Thank you Reply JJ Smith 2 September 2025 - 1:34 pm Hi Carol, Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m really glad the information has been useful to you. I completely understand your situation. Moving from NZ, where everyone receives the full pension, to Australia, where the Age Pension is income- and assets-tested, can make a huge difference to your day-to-day life. Have you tried an online pension calculator? If you know roughly how much you receive from the Trust, you can input it and get an estimate of your potential eligibility. You will need to answer the below questions: – Are you single or part of a couple? – Do you own your own home? – Value of your non-financial assets – Value of your financial investments – Your employment income (annually) – Other income (annually) This same information will also be needed by any adviser you speak with. I don’t have a financial adviser I can personally recommend, but I have come across the Retirement Essentials website several times in my research, and it may be worth trying: https://retirementessentials.com.au/age-pension/eligibility-calculator/. They have a 4.4-star rating from over 400 reviews on Google, and you can also call them on +61 2 8067 9222. I hope this helps point you in the right direction. Best of luck Reply David Hards 1 August 2025 - 10:28 pm You’ve left out one very important Law regarding the Australian Aged Pension. You have to have lived in Australia for 5 continous years. You cannot leave Australia in that qualifing period. No trips to Bali, no trips to Fiji, no trips to NZ for funerals. You must remain in Australia for 5 years solid! Reply JJ Smith 8 August 2025 - 2:04 pm Hi David, Thank you for your comment. I haven’t come across this eligibility condition before, nor has it been mentioned to me by any of the many visitors I’ve corresponded with about applying for the Australian Age Pension, many of whom have successfully applied and are now receiving it. Would you be able to share any further information or a source regarding this? This article on the Services Australia website outlines the residency rules for the Age Pension: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/residence-rules-for-age-pension. It states that, in general, you need to have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years in total, with at least 5 of those years being continuous. However, there are exceptions if you are claiming under a Social Security Agreement, which is the case for most New Zealand citizens living in Australia. Under the agreement, you can combine periods of residence in both Australia and New Zealand to meet the minimum residence requirements for the Age Pension: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-international-social-security-agreements-help-you. If you don’t meet the minimum period of residence, you may still qualify under the agreement. This arrangement allows the sharing of social security responsibilities, making it easier for New Zealanders to meet the eligibility criteria for Australian payments. If you’re having trouble with your claim, I recommend calling Centrelink International Services on 131 673 (within Australia) or 0800 441 248 (from NZ). Many visitors have told me they’ve found this the most helpful way to get answers and prompt action. Please let me know if you have more information that I may have missed. Reply Greg Gatchell 22 April 2025 - 7:54 pm Hi. We are still a bit confused between a protected SCV and a non-protected SCV. We are NZ citizens, born in NZ. My Question is can we get the age pension on a non-protected SCV. Thanks Greg. Reply JJ Smith 30 April 2025 - 4:10 pm Hi Greg, Thank you for your comment and apologies for the delay in replying. It’s very likely that you hold a non-protected Special Category Visa (SCV). Protected SCVs were only granted to New Zealand citizens who were living in Australia on or before 26 February 2001, or who met specific residency requirements. These days, most New Zealanders in Australia are non-protected SCV holders. Fortunately, that’s not such an issue anymore, thanks to the direct pathway to Australian citizenship for Kiwis who have been living in Australia for at least four years. The good news is that as a New Zealand citizen living in Australia, you are eligible to receive the Australian Age Pension—even with a non-protected SCV—provided you meet the income and asset tests. Hope the above helps. Reply Teresa 13 September 2024 - 10:02 am Hi, Your website is brilliant. Plenty of good info. We plan to retire in Australia. At the age of 66 we are receiving NZ Super already. We started all preparations with opening a bank account and registering with XE. Then trying to find a place to live somewhere in Queensland; renting during first year and finding a house to buy. We may receive small super from European country that have no agreement with NZ. How this may affect Australian super? Thank you, Teresa Reply JJ Smith 17 September 2024 - 3:34 pm Hi Teresa, Thank you for your comment and compliment. As you would have read in my Australian Age Pension post, the Australian pension does not start until you are 67, so you will need to plan for this. You will still receive your NZ pension for 26 weeks, after you have moved, and then you will need to apply for the Australian pension. Don’t apply early if you are not gong to receive the Australian pension for a while or if you will receive less than your NZ pension. I like your plan to rent first. It takes a little while to get to know where you would like to live. However, this will effect your Australian pension if you have an asset (whether it be a home or money). Regarding your small European super, you can work out how this will effect your Australian super using the Age Pension calculator on the SuperGuide website: https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator. The Euro super is considered other income. Any income outside your salary, such as non-Centrelink pensions or income streams, and net income from an investment property. Hope the above helps. Reply Sharon 26 August 2024 - 4:42 pm Hi We are looking at moving to Australia – family reasons. Because we have income and assets above the Australian criteria we do not qualify for the AU pension. This means also that we would not receive the NZ pension also. So it’s a pretty big decision. Questions? 1. Do we have to apply for the AU pension regardless after we move? 2. When is the best time to inform MSD that we are doing this? eg if we decide to move after we have done a 26 week (or so) stint now and through Christmas and inform them when we come back to pack up and sell our house will we have to pay back the pension we have received over the last say 26 weeks of being there? 3. Or if we make the decision now do we receive the first 26 weeks of NZ pensionwhile being away from NZ.? NB we have been back from our last visit to Australia for 8 months. Is there anything else that you would advise us. Thank you Kind regards Reply JJ Smith 28 August 2024 - 1:31 pm Hi Sharon, Thanks for your comment. It’s advisable to wait until the 26 weeks are up before you apply for the pension. This is because the pension is backdated to when you apply. By waiting, you ensure that you are not receiving a pension you are not yet eligible for. However, your situation is slightly more complex because you are going and coming back. Therefore, I recommend you talk to a financial adviser who understands pension requirements in Australia and New Zealand and find out your best plan of action. It might be to ensure you are not out of the country for more than 25 weeks. You also need to decide whether you will become a “resident” of Australia for tax purposes. If you become an Australian tax resident, then you will need to pay tax in Australia on your NZ income and CGT on your assets when you sell them. Read this post to understand what I am referring to: https://beyondaccountancy.com.au/something-every-kiwi-in-australia-needs-to-know/. It is recommended that you advise Work and Income about your plans before you leave New Zealand. Sorry I can’t give you further advice. I am not a financial adviser and are only able to help from information I have found online and from visitors. Your timing will make a difference, so it’s best to get it right. I hope the above helps. Reply Leah Lab 1 August 2024 - 11:51 pm My Mum has moved to Nz at age 67 and is now 84 years old. She’s on a NZ pension. She has no assets eg house etc. We live in Australia and are Australian citizens. If she comes to live with us, will she be eligible for Aus pension as she does not meet the working age residency requirement (between 20 and 67)? Thank you Reply JJ Smith 5 August 2024 - 4:19 pm Hi Leah, Thanks for your comment. To qualify for a pension, a New Zealander must have been resident in either Australia or New Zealand for at least 10 years of their working life (between the ages of 20 and 67), which means your Mum will qualify. You can fill in the Age Pension calculator on the SuperGuide website to see how much your Mum will be eligible for: https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator. She should apply as soon as she arrives in Australia if she is eligible for the full Australian pension. Hope the above helps. Reply Mel 15 July 2024 - 2:14 pm Hi there, Firstly thanks for such a great website! Just wanting some informed information around moving to Australia and what the difference in pension entitlements are, as the information is hard to find and difficult to decipher. My husband is 10 years older than me and will be entitled to the NZ pension in the next couple of years, however a couple of questions around this. 1) Would he still be entitled to the Australian Pension at age 67 providing we don’t exceed the Asset Testing (Which I assume we wont) ? 2) Is he entitled to any pension if i am still working? 3) Is the pension based on an individual like it is here, with the other partners income not being taken into account, or because I would still be working would he not be entitled to the pension? And if this is the case is there an income threshold? 4) Even though I have worked in NZ for the last 35 years, am I correct in assuming that I still need to have been ‘living’ in NZ for 5 years from the age of 50 in order to be able to access the NZ pension in Australia? 5) Assume my husband can still access his NZ Pension funds at 65 regardless of whether we are in New Zealand or Australia. If we were to put this towards our outstanding mortgage would there be any impact to his future pension. Just wanting to make sure we have as much information as possible before making a life changing decision at this later time in life. Reply JJ Smith 5 August 2024 - 3:41 pm Hi Mel, Thanks for your comment. Sincere apologies for the delay, I was on holiday with my family and then got sick. Unfortunately, I am not a financial adviser and can only provide information based on what I have been able to find online. The Australian age pension is calculated on the couples income and assets. I recommend you complete the age pension calculator on the SuperGuide website so you know how much your income will affect your husband’s pension: https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator. Please note, that if you own property in NZ it is considered an asset, if you own a home in Australia it is not. Your husbands NZ pension will stop 26 weeks after you have left NZ. If you still have questions after working out your pension amount using the online calculator, I recommend you contact an organisation that can help you. You can find organisations that can help on the Australian government, myAgedCare website: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/financial-support-and-advice. And contact Work and Income for advice on the NZ pension. Hope the above helps. Reply Ben Gelderbloem 14 May 2024 - 11:09 pm Hi Thanks for your amazing site. You have previously assisted me and hope you can do so again. I am looking at moving to Australia. In the NZ Work and Income Site relating to the NZ Social Security Agreement with Australia, under the heading: How Much Will I be paid, there is reference to a formulation calculation on how much pension you will be paid in Australia based on how long you have been living in NZ from the age of 20 till the age of 65 years of age. Will this apply to me? If it does the rate of payment as I understand it will be greatly reduced? This year I would have been living in NZ for just over 30 years (aged 75 now), and have been receiving NZ super/pension since age 65, but in terms of this calculation requirement for the pay rate, I would only qualify from date of arrival in NZ to age 65, which is 19 years for Australian pension. Have I misread something? I quote some of the relevant paragraphs below from the Agreement: ‘Social security agreement with Australia A guide if you get NZ Super or other New Zealand entitlements in Australia or are living in New Zealand and get an Australian pension. This information is for: New Zealand residents who have lived, live or are going to live in Australia Australian residents who have lived, live or are going to live in New Zealand. Australian and New Zealand residents who have lived, live or are going to live in either country may qualify for a benefit or pension from both countries’. ‘How much will I be paid? As a general rule, the total amount you are paid is about equal to the Australian benefit or pension you would be paid if you lived all your life in Australia. NZ Super or Veterans Pension International Services assesses your rate of NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension payable in Australia. It is the smaller amount of either: the New Zealand rate that is based on the amount of time you have lived in New Zealand, or the amount you would be paid by Centrelink if you had lived in Australia all your life. The New Zealand rate is based on the number of whole months lived in New Zealand between age 20 and 65. For example, if you lived in New Zealand for 45 years since turning 20, you could be eligible for the maximum New Zealand rate, as long as this amount was the same or less than the amount you would be paid by Centrelink if you lived in Australia all your life. Formula for the rate of NZ Super and Veteran’s Pension: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/images/individuals/rate-super-and-veterans.jpg I hope it is not confusing. It is a bit tricky to refer to paragraphs as they are not numbered. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Kind Regards Ben Reply JJ Smith 20 May 2024 - 12:12 pm Hi Ben, Thanks for your comment. Australia age pension is a hard to topic to make sense of from the information online. I’ll do my best to help. To qualify for the Australian age pension, a New Zealand citizen must have been resident in either Australia or New Zealand for at least 10 years of their working life (between the ages of 20 and 67). Therefore you are eligible. Also since you are already receiving the NZ pension, I would not be concerned if you will get the Australian pension when you move. To discover how much you will receive after the income and asset tests, you can use the Age Pension calculator on the SuperGuide website: https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator. If you want to talk to someone you can call Centerlink international services on 0800 441 248, but I’m not sure if they can help you while your outside Australia, as you do not become eligible for the Australian age pension until you have processed through border control and have an SCV. Please read me delay in processing pension applications post, as it includes information from visitors about when you are best to apply: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/warning-delay-in-processing-pension-applications/. If you pass the income and asset tests, it’s important to apply as soon as you arrive. However, your application will be backdated to the date of your application. However, the NZ pension is way more generous and not income and asset tested. Therefore if you are not eligible for the full Australian Age Pension, you are best to wait until you have received your NZ pension for 26 weeks and then apply for the Australian Age Pension. You can read more info on my delay in processing pension applications post: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/warning-delay-in-processing-pension-applications/. Hope the above helps. Reply Ben Gelderbloem 20 May 2024 - 2:32 pm Thanks so much JJ. I appreciate your response and will take heed of the pointers you have provided. Reply Bill 12 May 2024 - 12:53 pm Hi, I am 81 years old. I’m on a NZ pension. I have no assets eg house etc. The money I have is far below the threshold. My son lives in Brisbane. My daughter is a teacher and is moving to Australia to start the 1st term 2025 My question is: Is it better to apply from within Australia or from New Zealand. The main reason I ask is that: 1. If I go to Australia and apply for the AAP and they take longer than 26 weeks, I’ll have to return to NZ. 2. There is a chance of losing my Council flat if I stay away too long. 3. If my AAP is denied, I will need to return to NZ to live out my life. Therefore I’d need to keep my flat. Just a short reply would be sufficient if you can spare the time. Yours “gratefully” Bill Reply JJ Smith 17 May 2024 - 1:12 pm Hi Bill, Thank you for your email. I completely understand why you have asked this and I’m surprised no one before you has. To apply for the Australian age pension you need to hold an SCV, which means you need to have processed through Australian border control before your apply. Therefore, you cannot apply from NZ. Have a read of this information from the Work and Income, especially the ‘getting a benefit or pension in Australia’ section: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/pensions/travelling-or-moving/social-security-agreements/australia.html. You will need to make sure your application is complete, so I recommend putting that together before you move. Because of your personal circumstances, I recommend applying as soon you arrive. Please note, any difference in payments, e.g. you receive more NZ pension than the Australia age pension, you will have to pay the difference back. Centerlink minus the amount from your payments. Your application date is when your Australian age pension will be backdated too. Therefore, please make sure you use the Australian age pension calculator so you don’t get any nasty surprises: https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator. I have had some amazing visitors share their experiences in the comment section of my delay in processing pension applications post, which you should read: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/warning-delay-in-processing-pension-applications/. Please note, that because you are in the financial situation you are, you should communicate this to Centerlink in your application, so they are aware of your situation and hopefully process your application in a timely manner. However, if you are concerned at any stage throughout the waiting process, go visit your local Centerlink (huge lines so be prepared) or contact Centerlink International on 131 673 (I’ve heard they are amazing and actually help). Hope the above helps. Reply Liz Stilwell 4 April 2024 - 7:47 pm Hi JJ, Thanks for this wonderful site. I’ve read through but still somewhat confused re a pension application – sorry I am 68 years old – 69 in August. I’m a NZ citizen living in Australia since 2010. Now the Citizenship rules have changed I will be applying for Australian Citizenship which I understand will give me dual citizenship? I still own a house (with a mortgage) in NZ – and I rent a small home here. The rental income from my NZ house is generating enough to cover the mortgage and maintenance outgoings and a very small amount of income – I will likely sell the property sometime in the future. MY QUESTION: I now want to apply for the pension so do I apply for NZ pension from Australia or the Australian pension? To be clear, I’m on a SCV – not a permanent resident in Australia as two redundancies here and retraining meant I was always below the ‘new migrant threshold’. I love my work and intend to work until @74 but I understand I may be eligible for a part-pension. Thank you, Elizabeth Reply JJ Smith 5 April 2024 - 11:39 am Hi Elizabeth, Thank you for your comment and compliment. Yes you will get Dual Citizenship (NZ and Australian) under the new direct pathway: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/citizenship-pathway-for-new-zealanders-in-australia/. As you are living in Australia, you will need to apply straight for the Australian pension, which is income and asset tested. Have you looked into applying for the pension before? If you have not, I recommend using the age pension calculator so you have an estimate of the amount of Age Pension you may be eligible for: https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator. If you do sell your NZ property and buy a home in Australia, this will reduce your assets considerably, as your Australian home doesn’t affect the income and asset tests. Unfortunately, I am not a financial adviser and can only recommend based on information I can find online. If you need/want further assistance, I recommend finding a financial adviser in Australia, specialising in age pensions, who can help you. I hope the above helps. Reply « 1 2 3 4 5 » Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
