Moving to Australia from New Zealand?
Get all information you need to make a successful and stress-free move across the ditch.
The cost of having a baby will vary depending on whether you give birth in the public or private system. In Australia, pregnancy care in a public hospital or birth centre is free because it is covered by Medicare, which covers New Zealanders on an SCV, Australian citizens, and some visitors to Australia. We can also receive some Government payments.
We are eligible for Parental Leave Pay as New Zealand citizens living in Australia on an SCV and don’t have to wait the two-year wait period for newly arrived residents. However, you do need to meet the income and work tests. Read more below.
In Australia, you receive antenatal care from your GP, midwife, or obstetrician, and you will have very similar options for your child’s birth as in New Zealand.
When you are researching and planning your pregnancy and the birth of your baby, remember that as an SCV holder, you have the same rights as an Australian citizen who is covered by Medicare Australia or your private health insurance.
Editors note: I was pregnant when I moved to Australia. I was travelling back to New Zealand regularly, and planned to have my baby NZ, so I was close to my family. I recieved most of my pregnancy and birthcare in New Zealand.
However, on the few occasions that I did need help in Australia, I found my GP easy to register with and get good advice from. I had to take my son to the hospital when he was just over 1 month old and I was so impressed by the service and care I recieved in Brisbane.
In this post you will find information on:
In Australia, Medicare does cover all or some of your costs. Medicare can cover some or all of your expenses during your pregnancy and the birth of your baby. Medicare covers:
Medicare Safety Nets can help to lower your out-of-pocket medical costs for out-of-hospital services.
When you spend over a certain amount in a calendar year, you’ll get you a higher amount back from Medicare. So if you need to see a doctor or get tests regularly, or are part of a family you could save money with Medicare Saftey Nets.
If you’re part of a family or couple, you can combine your costs by registering as a family member and registering for Medicare Safety Nets.
When your baby is born, you can also add them to your Medicare Safety Net family. You can do this when you enrol your baby in Medicare. You do this after the birth of your baby.
So, under Medicare, you get free care and delivery in the public health system, but you won’t be able to choose your doctor or midwife.
In the private system, you can choose your doctor, but you will need to pay for the care or take out private health insurance. Medicare and your health fund will cover some of the costs of a private hospital stay, but you may still have to pay extra fees (known as ‘out-of-pocket’ costs).
Be sure to check that your private health insurance covers maternity care and if there is a waiting time before you can claim.
It can be difficult to understand the costs of different care options. If you are unsure, talk to your doctor, hospital, or health fund, or call Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby.
Families can access health care and financial benefits, including Medicare, newborn payments, child care payments, and parental leave pay.
You can read about the Australian Government payments here: http://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/medicare-and-other-benefits.
Some government payments have a newly arrived resident’s waiting period, and you need to live in Australia for 2 years before you can claim the payments. However, as NZ citizens living in Australia on an SCV, we meet the residence rules and do not need to wait.
You can enrol in Medicare Australia soon after you arrive in Australia. Find out how to apply, what you’re entitled to, and the costs of healthcare in my Medicare Australia post.
Parental Leave Pay is a payment for up to 100 days, or 20 weeks, while you care for a child born or adopted from 1 July 2023. This includes the old Dad and Partner Pay of 2 weeks.
If your child’s birth or entry into care is before 1 July 2023, your family will be assessed under the old rules. This means your family may be able to get up to 18 weeks of Parental Leave Pay and up to 2 weeks of Dad and Partner Pay. This is regardless of when you choose to start your payment.
If your child’s birth or entry into care is on or after 1 July 2023, Parental Leave Pay and Dad and Partner Pay are combined into one payment. It increased from 90 days, or up to 18 weeks, based on a 5-day work week, to 100 days or 20 weeks. We also changed the income test, work requirements and who can get it.
If your child’s birth or adoption is from 1 July 2024, there are more proposed changes to Parental Leave Pay, which are subject to legislation passing. The proposed changes include the total Parental Leave Pay available to families increasing to 26 weeks by 2026. From 1 July 2025, there may also be changes to how you can share your payment with your partner if you have one.
Read more here on the Services Australia website, Paid Parental Leave scheme changes.
Services Australia use your adjusted taxable income to determine your Parental Leave Pay eligibility. You may meet the family income test if you don’t meet the individual income test.
They’ll look at your income from the financial year before either (whichever date is earlier):
To get Parental Leave Pay, you must have an individual adjusted taxable income of either:
You can use a family income test if you don’t meet the individual income test. You can get Parental Leave Pay if your and your partner’s adjusted taxable income is up to $350,000 in the applicable financial year. Your partner is the person you’re in a relationship with on the date you claim. This limit will apply to your income if you don’t have a partner.
If you are unclear on the above, you can read examples of meeting the family income test on the Services Australia website, meeting the income test.
To meet the work test, you need to have worked for both (they count 10 months as 295 days and 13 months as 392 days):
There are many activities that count as work, including paid leave. You can include any periods of time that you worked or did an approved activity in the 10-month period. You can include work for multiple employers and combine approved activities to meet the work test. You can’t have more than a 12-week gap between each work day in that 10-month period.
The Services Australia website, Work requirements, has more about the work test and examples to help you apply it.
The Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement is a lump sum and an increase to your Family Tax Benefit Part A payment when you start caring for a baby or child that’s recently come into your care. Kiwis on an SCV are eligible for this, but you must not be getting Parental Leave Pay for the same child.
You can read more about the Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement on the Services Australia website.
Check if you can get payments. You can submit a claim for some payments as early as 3 months before your baby’s due date through Centrelink.
Parental Leave Pay helps eligible working parents to take time off to care for a newborn or recently adopted child (above).
Dad and Partner Pay helps eligible working dads or partners take time off work for up to 2 weeks. This applies when they’re caring for a newborn or recently adopted child born or adopted before 1 July 2023 (now under parental leave pay above).
Family Tax Benefit (FTB) is a 2-part payment to help with the cost of raising children.
FTB may include a one-off lump sum of Newborn Upfront Payment. FTB may also include Newborn Supplement, which is an increase to your FTB for 13 weeks.
If you’re not eligible for Parental Leave Pay, you may still be able to get both Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement.
I highly recommend the Australian government website Pregnancy, Birth and Babies. Go there for all your questions.
There is great general information on having a healthy pregnancy, keeping fit, you and your baby’s wellbeing, etc. It also contains all the info on checkups, screenings and scans, if you have complications during pregnancy and if things go wrong.
You should discuss your plans for taking leave with your employer before your baby is born. You should give them written notice 10 weeks before you plan to start your leave.
If you plan to get Parental Leave Pay, you need to tell your employer, as they may need to provide the funds.
Use the Supporting Working Parents website to learn about your workplace rights while you’re pregnant, during parental leave, or upon returning to the workplace.
As a New Zealander on an SCV you have the same decisions to make as an Australian citizen.
There is a lot to consider when planning the birth of your baby. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s have information on everything you need to know about the actual birth, including your options, what happens during labour, and what to expect immediately after.
They also have information on what will happen to your baby and the tests that are usually done, plus what can happen if there are complications during birth.
Remember you have the same rights as an Australian citizen covered by either Medicare Australia or private health insurance.
Your baby will not be an Australian citizen if you are both in Australia on a non-protected SCV.
If you were born in Australia, and at least one of your parents was an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident when you were born, you are an Australian citizen by birth.
Your baby will be able to apply for Australian citizenship if they live in Australia until they are age 10: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/certificate/get-a-certificate#Overview.
New Zealanders with a child born in Australia, who is not an Australian citizen at birth, should apply for New Zealand citizenship by descent and a passport for the child as soon as they are born. Do not wait until you have a family emergency requiring you to travel overseas. New Zealand citizenship by descent and passport applications take up to 30 working days to be processed and costs AU$407. Urgent requests take up to 10 working days and cost AU$622.
Life is pretty similar in Australia to NZ for bringing up children. The culture, pre-schools and kindergartens, schooling, and extracurricular activities are similarly organised and available. However, Australia has an advantage over NZ in terms of climate. More life is lived outside, which is only positive.
Schools and the government encourage and support sport. Even some schools offer surfing as a subject. Sport is one of the main reasons some families move to Australia. It gives a talented sporty child many more opportunities for world-class training and competitions.
You will meet families, kids, and people through the same channels as NZ. Antenatal classes, pre-school activities, and free things to do in your city.
Here you can find info and advice on bringing up a baby and child in Australia:
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is funded by the Australian Government and operated by Healthdirect Australia. This is a fantastic resource for New Zealanders living in Australia with a family.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby will help answer all your questions after arriving in Australia. They offer a fantastic helpline. I called them to ask a question on behalf of a visitor and they were amazing.
Here is some useful info you will want to read about having a baby in Australia: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/subjects/having-baby. It covers before your baby is born, when your baby is born, after your baby is born, and tools and information.
The Australian government also supports Raisingchildren.net.au, which provides ad-free parenting videos, articles, and apps backed by Australian experts.
The below posts might interest you:
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.
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!
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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Mark Filmer
January 18, 2021 at 9:02 amHey there,
My partner and i are looking to start a family. I am Australian and She is from New Zealand. She has lived here for 8 years, and recently (August 2020) acquired Australian Residency. She recently changed jobs, 5 years in previous job and started her new job in Nov 2020. We are looking for answers if she is eligible for paid parental leave. is there a waiting period?
JJ Smith
February 4, 2021 at 3:14 amHi Mark,
Thank you for your comment. Sorry for the delay in replying.
As a new Zealander, your wife is eligible for the Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement.
I recommend you call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436, free call 7 days a week. They will be able to answer your questions, based on your individual circumstances.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Thanks
Sarah
March 5, 2021 at 11:02 amHi JJ!
My question is very similar to Mark, but varies ever-so-slightly..
I am a New Zealand citizen who has been in Australia since 2012. My husband in as Australian citizen (we married in 2019). We’re planning on starting a family soon but are wondering what my entitlements are, more specifically, if I am eligible for parental paid leave through Centrelink. I have looked online and know I meet the work requirements, however, am not sure if I meet the residency requirements as (I think) I am on a non-protected SCV (I never applied for a visa when I moved to Australia). This makes it look as though I am not eligible? Am I reading things correctly that only protected SCV holders are eligible? Do you know if the fact that my husband is Australian affects it in anyway?
Thank you in advance, JJ!
JJ Smith
March 22, 2021 at 12:26 amHi Sarah,
Thank you for your comment.
On a non-protected Special Category Visas you are entitled to family payments, including Family Tax Benefit, Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement, Child Care Subsidy and Parental Leave Pay. But you are excluded from the Parenting Payment.
The Parenting Payment is the main income support payment while you’re a young child’s main carer. To get this you must:
– be under the income and asset test limits
– meet principal carer rules
– care for a child under 8 if you’re single or under 6 if you’re partnered
– meet residence rules (protected SCV)
– not have claimed before the birth of the child.
Read the full conditions under who can get it: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/parenting-payment/who-can-get-it.
Therefore I recommend you looking into becoming a Australia PR and then Citizen…
Is there any chance you visited Australia before 1 September 1994? If so, you should apply for the Return Resident Visa: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/become-an-australian-permanent-resident-and-australia-citizen/#Subclasses155and157ResidentReturnvisa.
Another option is the Skilled Independent category of the General Skilled Migration stream. It will not be available to all New Zealanders residing in Australia, but only those who:
– have been resident in Australia for the five years immediately prior to visa application
– can demonstrate, through income tax returns (Notice of Assessment) for the period of residence, taxable income at or above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). This is the salary threshold (currently set at $53,900) applied to applicants for a subclass 457 worker to ensure the position they will fill is skilled and
– satisfy mandatory health, character and security checks.
It will be available to New Zealanders who arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001, but on or before the date of the announcement, 19 February 2016. Thus, it is not a permanent arrangement for all New Zealanders who may come to Australia in the future, but rather appears to be a measure offering an outcome to those who are already in Australia and campaigning for improved rights. More info, eligilbity and how to apply: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/new-zealand-citizens/pathway-to-permanent-resident-and-citizenship.
If you want professional immigration help contact IMMagine for a free preliminary evaluation: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-visa/#professional-immigration-services.
Hope the above helps.
Sarah
April 7, 2021 at 12:12 pmThank you very much for your reply! Unfortunately, I only just found your reply email in my junk box. The timing of this find is uncanny (and a little annoying) as I sat in Centrelink for 1hr30mins TODAY to find out this exact information – and the person I saw didn’t even appear confident in their response.
She did arrive at the same conclusion though, that I would be eligible for Family Tax Benefit and Parental Paid leave, however wouldn’t be eligible for income support payments. (Due to my partners income I would not be eligible for these payments regardless of residency anyway.)
I would be interested to know if there are other benefits to getting PR long term, looking ahead into the future. I think I will contact IMMagine for some more advice and possibly help with my application if I think it’s worth going through the process!
Thank you very much Johanna.
Really appreciate it.
JJ Smith
April 7, 2021 at 9:40 pmHi Sarah,
That is such a shame. Sorry for the late reply.
The main downfalls of living in Australia on an SCV are if you can’t find work or get sick you are on your own. Also your kids won’t be able to get an Australia student loan, which will make it hard to get a qualification if you can’t pay for it up front.
However, your child will be able to apply for Australia citizenship on their 10th birthday if you continue to live in Australia until then. Then you will be able to apply for a parent visa after this, but it is expensive AU$6,415, so maybe not the best option. Here is the details for your child to get evidence of citizenship on their 10th birthday (cost AU$190): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/certificate/get-a-certificate#Eligibility.
Therefore if you are happily employed and don’t go into hardship being a Australian PR or citizen won’t make a lot of difference to you and then your child can get citizenship when they are 10.
Hope the above helps.
Sarah
April 7, 2021 at 11:00 pmAbsolutely no need to apologise! I just need to learn to check my junk folder more frequently. This one made it in, thank you.
Again, more valuable information, thank you! Your responses have been far clearer than anyone I have spoken to at Centrelink or elsewhere.
I have a permanent position as a teacher so am fairly confident I will always have employment and hope to never go into financial hardship, but I guess you never know what’s around the corner. My only other thought was regarding the age pension, if I might need that one day. But I have also heard that the government is trying to phase that out and it may not even be around in 37 years time! Or it will likely to have changed greatly anyway, so maybe it’s not worth worrying about too much at the age of 30.
Just to clarify one more thing if you don’t mind, with regard to children, will they automatically be granted citizenship at birth as my husband is an Australian? Or do they still live in limbo until their 10th birthday as I am not a PR?
The system is all so strange to me!
JJ Smith
April 7, 2021 at 11:02 pmGood point… A baby born in Australia is automatically an Australian citizen if at least one parent was an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time of birth.
If your husband is Australian I wouldn’t worry about gaining citizenship. You will still get the age pension as a New Zealander on an SCV.
It is really hard to get the right information, so glad I could help.
Thanks
Alisha Solai
June 22, 2020 at 6:14 amHi,
Just regarding the Paid Parental Leave IR880 you mention above.
My husband and I are both NZ Citizens. We planned to move to Melbourne in 2020, with my husband coming first in Jan 2020 and I was due to come in April 2020. When the border closures were announced I caught the next flight out of Auckland and my employment was terminated early with my company.
My last day of work was March 19th.
I am trying to understand the part about “worked an average of at least 10 hours a week for any 26 out of the 52 weeks immediately before your due date”.
I was employed by this company for 5 years. Do you think I qualify for this payment? Will I also be eligible for the Newborn Upfront payment and Newborn Supplement?
JJ Smith
June 22, 2020 at 11:38 pmHi Alisha,
Thank you for your comment.
From what you’ve said you will be eligible for the Newborn Upfront payment and Newborn Supplement as you worked more than half of the last year (9 months out of the last 12).
It is quite hard to get your head around, but here is a link to the exemptions to the newly arrived resident’s waiting period (normally two years):
– You may not have to wait to get Family Tax Benefit Part A. This applies if you hold or have held a Special Category Visa subclass 444 – https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/parental-leave-pay/who-can-get-it/meeting-residence-rules/newly-arrived-residents-waiting-period/exemptions-newly-arrived-residents-waiting-period.
– There is no wait period for Family Tax Benefit Part B.
Here is the link to ‘how to claim’ or call Centerlink Families on 136 150 and discuss your circumstances with them: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/family-tax-benefit/how-claim.
Hope the above helps.
Christina
September 1, 2020 at 5:12 amHello, just a question, I am a new Zealand citizen living here in Perth.
My partner is now a permanent resident through a return residency visa application which passed.
Now my question is to make sure this visa my partner is on will allow my child to be an australian citizen? Also do you know of any further visas for parents of citizens, if this is the case, living in perth to apply for permanent residency? I find it so hard to find answers to these questions.
JJ Smith
September 8, 2020 at 1:38 amHi Christina,
Thank you for your comment.
Unfortunately I cannot answer your questions as I am not an immigration specialist.
I recommend you contact IMMagine: http://www.immigration.co.nz/.
You can ask them a question online for a small fee (AUD$15) and an immigration specialist will answer it for you: http://www.immigration.co.nz/ask-us-question/ask-us/.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
Michal
January 13, 2020 at 4:37 pmHi,
I am a NZ citizen, but living in Australia since march 2016. Due to have first baby in June 2020. I have always worked full time, while I lived in nz, and now in Australia. However during 2019 I took some time off for my mental health; I had a 14 week gap between stopping work in June 2019 and starting work with a new employer in sept 2019. We didn’t exactly plan to fall pregnant in sept. Because of this, I will have only worked for my employer for 9 months before baby is due, and also not for 10 out of the 13 months prior to baby due date with a break of no more than 12 weeks… In short, not eligible for paid parental leave from centrelink under the eligibility and work test requirements. My employer is supporting and would love to be able to pay me Ppl, and also willing to allow me maternity leave even though I won’t have worked there for 12 months before giving birth… However it’s not ideal that I won’t be able to get Ppl. I miss out by 1 month or 2 weeks, whichever end of the 13month work test I look at. Even though I work full time and contribute to Australian tax system with my PAYG from earnings. People here can work only day per week for 10 months and be eligible. It doesn’t seem fair. And I’ve seen that in NZ you only have to had worked 26 of the 52 weeks prior to babies birth…
I was looking to see if maybe I could claim Ppl from Nz govt since the Australian one won’t grant it. On all NZ govt and ird communications about eligibility for ppl from nz govt it actually doesn’t seem to specify that you had to be living and working in nz…
Any chance they’d consider if I applied?
Just feeling so let down.
JJ Smith
February 3, 2020 at 11:16 pmHi Michal,
Thank you for your comment and sorry for the delay in replying.
I’m so sorry to hear you aren’t eligible. When I moved to Australia 10 years ago, I didn’t need to have worked in Australia at all to get the Baby Bonus. Even now from my research New Zealanders on an SCV are eligible for the Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement, but that is not Parental Leave Pay.
I am guessing that you have talked to Centerlink and they have assessed your eligibility for Parental Leave Pay and confirmed the below?
When I called the IRD to ask them some questions regarding New Zealanders residing in Australia and believe you are correct about living and working in Australia and still been able to receive paid parental leave from NZ. Here is the application and it states nothing about working in NZ: https://www.ird.govt.nz/-/media/Project/IR/PDF/IR880—2019.pdf.
I recommend you call Centerlink if you haven’t already and the IRD to confirm the above. Can you please let me know how you get on?
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Thanks
Holley
January 4, 2020 at 2:09 amHello, I am 2 months pregnant and am wanting to move to Australia to work untill I give birth and then my partner will support me untill I am back at work, my question is will I receive free public hospital delivery? And do you know how long it takes to get Medicare once I get over there?
JJ Smith
February 4, 2020 at 1:10 amHi Holley,
Thank you for your comment. Sorry for the delay in replying.
Yes as a New Zealander on an SCV we do get free hospital delivery in Australia.
You get a Medicare card when you enroll in Medicare, which you need to do in person in Australia. They’ll usually tell you your Medicare number straight away and send your card in 3 to 4 weeks. They’ll send it to the address you give them. You can use a digital copy of your Medicare card as soon as you enroll.
Please note, on an un-protected SCV New Zealanders aren’t eligible for the Australia Government Paid Parental Leave. However, we can still receive the NZ Government Paid Parental Leave while living in Australia. You will need to arrange this with the IRD.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Katrin
November 25, 2019 at 8:23 amHi I am Mz citizen bu decent and my husband is Italian citizen. We are living in Perth and now Im pregnant but I can’t pass my NZ citizen to my baby if it not born in NZ.
I know the baby will get Australia citizen by the age of 10, but meanwhile what status of citizen or can the baby stay in Australia until the age 10?
Really appreciate your answer, thank you.
JJ Smith
November 26, 2019 at 10:26 pmHi Katrin,
Thank you for your comment.
This is the first time I have come across this and please note I am not an immigration specialist so can only advise from info I can find online. Please find below the information you need if you have your child in Australia.
Here is the article you need to read: https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/get-or-renew-a-new-zealand-passport/get-your-child-a-new-zealand-passport-when-born-overseas/#what-you-need-to-know.
Citizens by descent can’t pass on NZ citizenship to any children they have outside NZ. If you want your child to be a New Zealand citizen, you have 2 options: you can apply to be granted NZ citizenship or you can apply for your child to be granted NZ citizenship.
Citizenship by grant for yourself
You can become a citizen by grant before your child is born outside NZ. You must meet the requirements: https://www.govt.nz/browse/nz-passports-and-citizenship/nz-citizenship/check-your-eligibility-for-citizenship/#1-0.
Citizenship by grant for your child
You can apply for your child to be granted NZ citizenship. Include a letter with the application form that explains why your child should be granted citizenship even though they don’t meet the requirements. You should include any evidence you have.
The letter and evidence could cover:
– if your child can show a link to NZ
– if your child has longstanding family or whakapapa ties to NZ
– if your child has family living in NZ who are NZ citizens
– the circumstances of you being a citizen by descent
– why you want your child to be a New Zealand citizen
– anything else you think is important.
Apply for NZ citizenship: https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/nz-citizenship/how-to-apply-for-nz-citizenship/apply-for-nz-citizenship/.
If you need more information, contact the Citizenship Office either by email: citizenship@dia.govt.nz or phone: +64 4 463 9361 (outside NZ).
The only other option I can see is flying back to NZ and having your baby there. The latest you can fly is in your 36th week so you would need family in NZ that could support you while there.
Hope the above helps.
Aldrich tauro
August 12, 2019 at 9:33 amHi JJ, my wife and I are NZ citizens same as our 2 kids. My wife is a nurse and is 2 months pregnant. We are planning to move to Sydney this October-November. Will she be eligible for new born payments and parental leave eventhough there is only 4-5months before she gives birth?
JJ Smith
August 14, 2019 at 12:16 amHi Aldrich,
Thank you for your comment.
There is no waiting period when it comes to New Zealanders getting new born payments and paid parental leave. You get Medicare almost straight away, you just need to wait processing time as you need to apply when you are in Australia (https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/medicare-australia/).
This will help you find a good school for your kids: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/schools-in-australia/.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Brittany
August 7, 2019 at 6:35 amHi there,
My partner and I are NZ citizens but have only been in Australia a max of 5 years (me, 3 years for him).
Our first baby is due in September and I am wondering when he is born if he will be an AUS citizen or what exactly happens? As he isn’t born in NZ we would need to apply for his citizenship there which is no problem but I’m wondering in the interim what happens for baby? Thanks so much in advance!
JJ Smith
August 20, 2019 at 12:57 amHi Brittany,
Thanks for your comment.
Your baby will not be an Australian citizen if you are both in Australia on a non-protected SCV.
If you were born in Australia, and at least one of your parents was an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident when you were born, you are an Australian citizen by birth.
Your baby will be able to apply for Australian citizenship if they live in Australia until they are age 10: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/certificate/get-a-certificate#Overview.
New Zealanders with a child born in Australia, who is not Australian citizen at birth, should apply for New Zealand citizenship by descent and a passport for the child as soon as they are born. Do not wait until you have a family emergency requiring you to travel overseas. New Zealand citizenship by descent and passport applications take up to 30 working days to be processed and costs AU$407. Urgent requests take up to 10 working days and cost AU$622.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Anna
June 24, 2019 at 9:57 pmHi Johanna,
Exciting, we have officially sold our home in New Zealand so we are starting to plan.
I read through our emails and I have asked about maternity leave. I am now concerned about my c-section and what this might cost me in Australia. I read through a link but it’s still a bit vague. Do you have a contact number I can call or another link?
I might have to consider staying in nz if this is going to cost too much.
Kind Regards,
Anna
JJ Smith
June 24, 2019 at 9:59 pmHi Anna,
If your C-section isn’t elective and you need one then Medicare will cover your costs.
If you give birth using the public hospital system, your costs will be covered by Medicare. Read this article: https://www.finder.com.au/health-insurance-cesarean-section.
From all the info I’ve read online, the main downside of going public is that you will probably end up sharing a room, rather than private, getting your own room.
You can get a no obligation private health insurance quote here: https://migration.bupa.com.au/.
I would recommend you to call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to speak to a maternal child health nurse, but they aren’t funded to talk to people outside. If you have family over there, they might be able to call on your behalf. Their website is pretty good: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/caesarean, but did not cover costs.
Congratulations on the sale of your home! Make sure you read this article on foreign exchange, as you will want to keep as much of your money as possible when transferring it to Australia: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/foreign-exchange-money-transfer/.
Please let me know if I can help in any other way.
Thanks
Anna
June 24, 2019 at 10:00 pmHi Johanna,
Do you know of a contact number that I can call regarding paid maternity leave? I can’t seem to find anywhere to call online, and it is proving difficult to apply for anything online, or is this something that I can’t do until arriving to Australia?
Kind Regards,
Anna
JJ Smith
June 24, 2019 at 10:01 pmHi Anna,
You need to call CenterLink on 0061 136 150. I don’t know if they can help you until you get to Australia, but worth a try.
Can you please let me know how you get on with CenterLink so I can add the info onto movingtoaustralia.co.nz.
Thanks
Misty
March 17, 2019 at 11:20 pmHiya, I am a 23 year old single mother and I’m planning on moving to Perth with my 2 year daughter some time this year. I have family in Perth so we can stay with them until I find us a place for our own. I just have a few questions I was hoping you could help me with. If I apply for a rental property is it okay to use my references from the places I have lived in in New Zealand? Will I be able to receive any childcare subsidy at all? I have a part time job at the moment with a company who is based in Australia and they say I can continue working for them in Australia. I don’t have set hours though so I’m not sure how many hours/days I will need for daycare yet. I think I will be selling all our possessions before we leave so I’m not too worried about bringing much over with us. I think I had some more questions but this is all I can think of right now. Thanks!
JJ Smith
March 17, 2019 at 11:22 pmHi Misty,
Thank you for your message.
Regarding applying for a rental property in Australia. The rental managers definitely accept rental references from NZ. In the post below I go through what you will need. Make sure you turn up to a viewing with all the paperwork and photocopies of documents required to meet 100 points of identification The Australian rental market is more competitive than NZ: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-real-estate/.
You may be able to get some kind of childcare subsidy, depending on your individual circumstances. New Zealanders on a SCV are eligible to receive the benefit. Here is more info: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/child-care-subsidy.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Good luck with your move.
MJ
February 25, 2019 at 1:08 amHi,
I am due to receive my paid maternity leave but planning to give birth in Australia. Will I continue to receive my Parental leave payments?
Cheers
JJ Smith
February 26, 2019 at 1:10 amHi,
Thanks for your comment.
I believe you get one or the other depending on which country you are living in.
Where are you planning on living after giving birth?
Thanks,
JJ Smith
MJ
February 26, 2019 at 1:51 amHi Johanna,
Thanks for your email.
Planning to spend sometime in Australia (at least for 6 months) and then evaluate.
Cheers
JJ Smith
February 26, 2019 at 3:44 amYes you will still receive your paid parental leave.
I have spoken to the IRD and there is nothing stating that if you have a child in Australia you will not receive these payments.
You would be entitled to the Australian equivalent of this, since you are giving birth in Australia.
As you will be transferring these payments to Australia I recommend that you read my foreign exchange page, as this will save you international transfer fees through your bank and you will get a better rate: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/money/foreign-exchange.
Good luck with your move.
Ethan
February 2, 2019 at 11:17 amHey JJ
My partner is a German citizen on a bridging visa, in the process of a nz partnership visa in Australia and we are expecting our first in late September…
Phew, how many times I have said this sentence….
Just wondering what our situation is with the birth here and if we(she) will receive any support from the Australian govt.
-If you can answer this, I think we will name our child after you.
Cheers, Ethan.
JJ Smith
March 20, 2019 at 10:26 pmHi Ethan,
Sorry for the delay in replaying. For some strange reason your enquiry wasn’t emailed to me.
This is a hard one… Have you got anywhere since you emailed me?
I know that New Zealanders on an SCV get support from the Australian Government and you still should depending on when you move over after the birth.
However, I am not sure about your partner.
But you should be able to find some answers through this ‘Payment and Service Finder’ widget: https://www.centrelink.gov.au/custsite_pfe/pymtfinderest/paymentFinderEstimatorPage.jsf?wec-appid=pymtfinderest&wec-locale=en_US#stay. Helping you find, estimate and compare payments and services you may be eligible for.
Let me know how you get on and come back to me if you need further help.
Brendan
January 5, 2019 at 8:36 amHi i am a nz cirtzen and worked in aus for 12 of my 13 months pregnant but gave birth in aus do a qualify for parental leave if i come back to aus a month after the birth
JJ Smith
March 20, 2019 at 11:12 pmHi Brendan,
Thank you for your comment. Sorry for the delay in replaying. Your enquiry got lost over the school holidays.
If you haven’t sorted your paid parental leave can you please explain again? I’m not sure what you are asking. Which country you are living in?
I do know that New Zealanders are entitled to paid parental leave in both Australia or New Zealand depending on what country you are living in.
Thanks
Kareshma Kumar
November 20, 2018 at 1:29 pmHi
My husband is new Zealand and I have Fiji passport. Since dad has media care card not mum. Just want to ask will I get free midwife services and other maternity/child delivery services in Australia? Since dad is New Zealanders, are we eligible for that or we have to pay?
JJ Smith
December 3, 2018 at 1:12 amHi Kareshma,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Sorry but I don’t have a yes or no answer because there are different circumstances that get taken into account.
Are you living in Australia? Have you applied for a Medicare card?
Here is the link to the Australia government website outlining who is eligible to get a Medicare card: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/medicare-card/eligibility/who-can-get-it.
Through the above link you will find all the info you need including where your closest Medicare office is so you can apply.
Thanks,
JJ Smith
JJ Smith
August 20, 2018 at 1:27 amHi Ravneet,
Thanks for your enquiry.
Unfortunately there isn’t a yes or no answer to your question, it depends on your circumstances and what options you choose to go for. You will receive antenatal care from your GP, midwife or obstetrician.
In Australia, Medicare can cover some or all of your expenses during your pregnancy and the birth of your baby. Medicare covers:
– free treatment and accommodation for public patients in a public hospital
– free or subsidised treatment from health care professionals, including obstetricians, doctors and eligible midwives
– 75% of the Medicare schedule fee if you are a private patient in a public or private hospital – this does not include hospital accommodation, theatre fees or medicines
Being a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia qualifies you for enrollment in the Medicare program, so you will want to make sure you do this soon after arriving in Australia: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/medicare-australia/.
Here is the info you will want to read about having a baby in Australia: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/subjects/having-baby.
The Baby Bonus is no longer available. It has been replaced by Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement.
I recommend reading through this Australia Government website: http://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/. They also offer a help line and will be able to answer all your questions after you arrive in Australia. I called them but they unfortunately can’t talk to people outside Australia.
Good luck with your move!
Thanks,
JJ Smith
Ravneet
August 20, 2018 at 1:25 amHi
I am NZ citizen looking to move in Oct. I am 3 months pregnant and one 5 year old boy. I just want to ask will I get free midwife services and other maternity/child delivery services in Australia? Are New Zealanders eligible for that or they have to pay?
Thanks