Australian Age Pension for New Zealanders

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 agehow long you have lived in Australia and/or New Zealandyour incomeyour assetsAustralia 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.Editor's note: even if you are not eligible to receive the Australian Age Pension because of your or your partner's income and assets, you MUST still apply!A visitor notified me that they didn't apply because their wife was not yet eligible and her income put them above the eligibility threshold. They learnt the hard way, when the NZ pension he'd received while in Australia (26 weeks) was reclaimed by the NZ Super office.Quick Summary: Australian Age Pension for New ZealandersIf you’re planning to move to Australia or have recently arrived, here are the key things to know.The Age Pension age is currently 67You generally need 10 years of working-age residence (age 20–67) in Australia and/or NZThe pension is income and asset-testedIf you already receive NZ Super, it usually continues for up to 26 weeks after leaving NZDuring that time you should apply for the Australian Age PensionIf you later leave Australia permanently, your Pension Supplement will stop and your Age Pension payment may change. Different rules apply when returning to New Zealand under the Australia–New Zealand Social Security Agreement.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$1,237.70 (after tax), while the gross fortnightly rate for a single person in New Zealand is approximately NZ$1,110.30.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 ZealandWhat to do after arriving in AustraliaWhat you need to do within 26 weeks of leaving New ZealandAt what age can you receive the Australian Age Pension?Residency requirements for New ZealandersHow to apply for the Australian Age PensionAustralian Age Pension Payment RatesAge Pension income testAge Pension asset testHow homeownership affects the pensionAge Pension calculatorWorking after pension ageDisability Support Pension for New ZealandersCan you receive NZ Super and the Australian Age Pension?How NZ Super and Australian Age Pension CompareCommon Mistakes New Zealanders Make with PensionsReal-Life Example Scenarios for Kiwis Moving to AustraliaTransferring your KiwiSaver to AustraliaKeeping Centrelink up to dateWhere to get help and advice What to do before leaving New ZealandIf 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 IncomeAdvise Work and Income that you plan to move to Australia.2. Gather important documentsBefore leaving New Zealand, make sure you have copies of:PassportBirth certificateMarriage certificate (if applicable)Bank account detailsTax file informationMedical reports (if receiving Supported Living Payment)Having these ready will make the Australian application process much easier.3. Check any overseas pension arrangementsIf 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 AustraliaOnce 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 PensionCarer PaymentThese 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 ZealandIf 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 PensionIt 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 PensionSome 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 stop, and the NZ Super office will reclaim the payments you have received while living in Australia.This happened to a visitor and he hopes that others don't make the same mistake. 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 birthAge Pension age1 July 1952 – 31 Dec 195365 years 6 months1 Jan 1954 – 30 June 195566 years1 July 1955 – 31 Dec 195666 years 6 months1 Jan 1957 onwards67 years Residency requirements for New ZealandersTo qualify for the Age Pension under the Australia–New Zealand Social Security Agreement, you must have:At least 10 years of working-age residenceWorking-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 PensionThe easiest way to apply is online through Centrelink.Step 1 — Set up your accountsYou will need:a myGov accountyour Centrelink account linked to myGovYou can set this up at: my.gov.auStep 2 — Prepare your documentsYou will need supporting documents that show:identitybank account detailstax file number (TFN)relationship statusincomeassetsYou can read more about the documents needed on the Services Australia supporting documents page, which provides examples of each.Step 3 — Submit your claimOnline application steps:Sign in to myGovSelect Make a claimChoose Older AustraliansSelect Age PensionFollow the promptsYou must submit the claim within 13 weeks of starting it.If you cannot apply onlineYou can also:print the Age Pension claim formrequest help from Centrelink International ServicesAustralian Age Pension Information BookletHere 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 RatesThe amount you receive depends on:your incomeyour assetsyour relationship statusAll income and assets are taken into account, whether they are Australian-based or still in New Zealand.Rates are updated twice each year:20 March20 SeptemberAustralia Age Pension rates (from 20 September 2026):Per fortnightSingleCouple eachCouple combinedCouple apart due to ill healthMaximum basic rate$1,135.40$855.90$1,711.80$1,135.40Maximum Pension Supplement$88.20$66.50$133.00$88.20Energy Supplement$14.10$10.60$21.20$14.10Total$1,237.70$933.00$1,866.00$1,237.70* Rates as per 20 September 2026. Check here for updated rates.From 20 September 2026, the maximum Age Pension increased by $36.80 per fortnight for a single person and $55.60 per fortnight for a couple combined.. Age Pension income testThe Age Pension is income tested.Centrelink looks at income received by both you and your partner, including income from Australia and overseas. This can include employment income, overseas pensions, investments and income calculated from financial assets under the deeming rules.Income-free areaFrom 20 September 2026::Single: You can receive up to $226 per fortnight before your Age Pension starts to reduce.Couple: You can receive up to $396 combined per fortnight before your Age Pension starts to reduce.dFor a single person, the pension reduces by 50 cents for each $1 of income above the income-free area.For a couple, each person's pension reduces by 25 cents for each $1 of combined income above the income-free area. Age Pension income cut-offYou may still qualify for a part Age Pension until your income reaches the applicable cut-off.From 20 September 2026, the standard cut-off points are:Single: $2,701.40 per fortnightCouple living together: $4,128.00 combined per fortnightCouple living apart due to ill health: $5,346.80 combined per fortnightYour actual cut-off may be different if you receive Rent Assistance or qualify for the Work Bonus. Age Pension deeming ratesCentrelink uses deeming to estimate the income you receive from certain financial assets, rather than using the actual income those assets earn.From 20 September 2026, the deeming rates are:1.75% on financial assets up to the deeming threshold3.75% on financial assets above the thresholdThe current deeming thresholds are $66,800 for a single person and $110,600 combined for a couple.Financial assets that may be subject to deeming include savings accounts, term deposits, shares, managed investments and some superannuation investments.This is important for New Zealanders moving to Australia because money held in New Zealand can still be taken into account when Centrelink assesses your Australian Age Pension.Age Pension asset testYour assets can also affect how much Australian Age Pension you receive.Centrelink assesses assets owned by both you and your partner, including assets you still hold in New Zealand. However, your principal home is generally excluded from the assets test.Assets include:savingsinvestmentsvehiclesinvestment propertysuperannuation income streamssharesAssets you can have and still receive the full Age PensionSituationHomeownerNon-homeownerSingle$333,000$600,000Couple$499,000$766,000Your main home is not counted as an asset. If your assets exceed these amounts, you may still qualify for a part Age Pension. Assets cut-off for a part Age PensionFrom 20 September 2026:Your situationHomeownerNon-homeownerSingle$745,750$1,012,750Couple combined$1,121,000$1,388,000Couple separated due to illness$1,324,500$1,591,500Once your assessable assets exceed the applicable cut-off, you generally won't receive the Age Pension.If you're a member of a couple, Centrelink assesses your combined assets, even if only one of you is eligible for the Age Pension.How homeownership affects the pensionYour 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 homedownsizinggranny-flat arrangementsmoving out of the home. Age Pension calculatorThe Age Pension calculator on the AusTaxTools website is simple and easy to use.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:Relationship status - are you single or part of a couple?Homeowner - do you own your own home?AgeFinancial assets - Super, savings, shares, managed funds (subject to deeming)Other assets - car, contents, caravan, investment property equity (not your home)Employment income /yr - Annual gross employment income — Work Bonus of $300/fn appliesOther income /yr - Rental income, foreign pension, account-based pension, etc. per yearTry the Age Pension Calculator here: AusTaxTools Age Pension calculator. Working after pension ageYou 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 rulesfirst $300 per fortnight from employment is not countedunused amounts accumulate in a Work Bonus income bankMaximum Work Bonus balance: $11,800The 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 ZealandersUnder 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, andthe condition is expected to last at least two years, andyou are unable to benefit from employment support or rehabilitation programs, oryou 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 ZealandTo 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 requirementsYou must have:lived in Australia and/or New Zealand for at least 10 years, andusually 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 noteThe 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 helpIf you think you may qualify for the Disability Support Pension, you can contact:Centrelink International ServicesNew Zealand Phone: 0800 441 248Australian Phone: 131 673They 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 Zealanda component from Australia What happens to your Age Pension if you leave Australia?If you're receiving the Australian Age Pension and later travel overseas or move back to New Zealand, your payment may change.From 20 September 2026, new rules apply to the Pension Supplement:Temporary overseas travel: You can continue receiving the full Pension Supplement for up to 12 weeks. After 12 weeks overseas, the Pension Supplement stops.Moving overseas permanently: If you leave Australia to live in another country, including moving back to New Zealand, your Pension Supplement stops from the date you leave Australia. This doesn't necessarily mean your Australian Age Pension itself will stop. The Age Pension can generally continue to be paid while you're overseas, but the amount you receive may change depending on how long you're away, how long you lived in Australia and whether an international social security agreement applies.What if you move back to New Zealand?Australia and New Zealand have a Social Security Agreement, so special rules apply if you return to New Zealand.If you move back to New Zealand permanently, or plan to be there for more than 12 months, your Australian Age Pension may change from the date you arrive in New Zealand.If you're only visiting New Zealand, different rules apply depending on how long you stay.If you're planning to move back to New Zealand after receiving the Australian Age Pension, I recommend contacting Centrelink International Services before you leave Australia so you know exactly how your Australian and New Zealand pension payments will be affected.How NZ Super and Australian Age Pension CompareMany 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.StatusNZ SuperAustralian Age PensionSingleNZ$1,110.30/fortnightA$1,237.70/fortnightCouple (each)NZ$854.08/fortnightA$933.00/fortnight* NZ Super rates effective from 1 April 2026. Australian Age Pension rates effective from 20 September 2026.** Based on current exchange rates and the maximum Australian Age Pension. Exact amounts will vary depending on income, assets, and living arrangements.NZ Super rates increased from 1 April 2026 following the government’s annual adjustment linked to wage growth and inflation.NZ Super rates are reviewed annually in April, while Australian Age Pension rates are reviewed twice yearly in March and September.Key points to note:The Australian Age Pension is generally higher than NZ Super for most Kiwis.Payments include additional supplements like Energy Supplement and Pension Supplement.Exchange rates can affect your NZ$ 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 PensionsMoving 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:MistakeWhy it mattersWaiting too long to apply for the Australian Age PensionNZ Super payments stop after 26 weeks if you don’t applyAssuming NZ Super continues automaticallyYou must submit an application to continue receiving payments in AustraliaNot reporting income or assets to CentrelinkCould result in overpayment and needing to repay laterOverlooking your partner’s eligibilityCould reduce or increase your combined pensionNot using the Work BonusIf you’re still working part-time, you could be missing out on extra pension paymentsPro 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 AustraliaSometimes 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 67NZ Super: NZ$1,110.30/fortnightAustralian Age Pension: A$1,237.70/fortnightOutcome: Receives a combination of NZ Super and the Australian Age Pension for the first 26 weeks, then the full Australian pension (income- and asset-tested).Result: Slightly higher income than staying in NZ.Example 2: Couple with significant assetsTotal assets exceed the maximum for a full pensionThey may only receive a partial Age PensionOutcome: Selling or downsizing a home, or restructuring assets, can increase the pension entitlement.Example 3: Working retiree over pension ageWorks part-time while receiving the Age PensionOutcome: 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 AustraliaIf 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 fundJoin the fundComplete the KiwiSaver transfer formArrange the transfer through your providerFor more information, read my Australian Super or KiwiSaver for your Home Deposit posts. Keeping Centrelink up to dateOnce you receive a pension, you must inform Centrelink if:your income changesyour assets changeyou travel overseas or move overseas permanentlyyou receive an inheritance or a large financial giftIf you're planning to leave Australia, check how your trip may affect your Age Pension before you go. Your Pension Supplement stops after 12 weeks of temporary overseas travel, or immediately if you leave Australia to live overseas permanently.Your Age Pension itself may also be affected depending on where you're going, how long you'll be away and how long you've lived in Australia.Keeping your details up to date helps avoid overpayments or repayment obligations. Where to get help and adviceSeveral organisations offer free help with retirement planning.Helpful resources include:Financial Information Service (FIS)MoneySmartNational Debt HelplineFor 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 pensionswhat happens if your partner is under pension ageDisability Support Pension eligibilityreceiving NZ benefits in AustraliaVisit: 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 AustraliaMedicare AustraliaStill, 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. 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