Moving to Australia from New Zealand?

Get all information you need to make a successful and stress-free move across the ditch.

Moving to Australia and want to find a suitable job?

If you are a New Zealand citizen, you are legally able to work in Australia. If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a work visa.

Hunting for jobs in Australia is very similar to looking for a job in New Zealand. The majority of jobs are advertised online, mostly by recruitment companies but also by individual employers.

On this page you will find the below helpful information:

Looking for a job in Australia from NZ

In the past, it has been quite hard to land a job in Australia from New Zealand, but since Covid-19 it has become more common for New Zealanders to get employed by an Australian company while still living in NZ.

You need to have a thorough CV and be realistic about your move to Australia.

So get to know Seek.com.au and regularly check back to view the latest listings in your industry.

You can gain a lot of knowledge from job listing websites, e.g. the size of your industry, opportunities, current wages, and the process of how to apply. Searching will give you a realistic view of the current Australian job market and can give you a lot of hope for what your future may look like.

Depending on your industry, it can be worth searching Google Australia companies in your industry and approaching them direct. New Zealanders have a great reputation in Australia and around the world as being hard workers. Combine that with the fact that we can’t fall back on government support, we are known as being very reliable. 

Current skill shortages in Australia

A significant shortage in skilled labour across Australia is negatively impacting production, services, and supply chains. And while the latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem, it has been an issue since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue to be one when the effects of the virus wane.

Some industries that have major shortages at the moment are hospitality, the health sector, engineers, trades, technicians, truck drivers and digital. Australia has always relied upon skilled migrant workers, e.g. skilled migrants, international students and backpackers, which haven’t been able to get into Australia due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

It’s likely that the skilled worker shortage in Australia will worsen before it gets better. With many of the industries affected it takes on average three to four years to qualify and that is before developing proficiency. You can read more on the skill shortage in Australia here.

As a result, I’ve heard from a lot more New Zealanders who have already secured jobs from New Zealand, before they move to Australia.

This leaves a lot of opportunities for New Zealanders looking at moving to Australia! 

Australian Tax and getting an Australian Tax File Number (TFN)

If you want to know your tax obligations in Australia you should read our Australian Tax – what you need to know page. On this page, you can find out the current Australian tax rates and how to get a TFN.

You need to apply for a TFN number after you’ve arrived in Australia. You are not able to apply from New Zealand. Find out how to get a TFN here

Documentation needed when moving to Australia

Don’t get caught out arriving in Australia without the documentation/paperwork you need. It will cause you a whole lot of stress, time and worry!

Especially when it comes to the competitive Australian job market. Be prepared and get a better-paid job in Australia.

Read more in my documentation needed when moving to Australia post.

 

Main Australian job-hunting websites

These are the top Australian job listing websites:

For general information on employment in Australia, career advice, resume templates, salary surveys and more visit http://www.employmentguide.com.au

Increase Your Success in the Australian Job Market

When it comes to moving overseas and finding work, many things will determine your success, but we think the greatest factor is preparation. Read the full post here.

Things you shouldn’t put on your resume if you want to get the job

Australian recruiters are astounded at how many mistakes job seekers make with their resumes. Here are the key things to avoid. Read the full post here.

Recruitment Agencies for Jobs In Australia

Like New Zealand, it is extremely worthwhile registering with a recruitment agency. They will help you find a new job and can even find you a job while you are still in New Zealand. I recommend you search Google the recruitment agencies in Australia that specialise in your industry. Whether it be:

  • Healthcare Recruitment
  • Accounting Recruitment Agencies
  • Information Technology (IT) Recruitment Agencies
  • Executive Recruitment Agencies.

 

You might be interested in…

The below posts might interest you:

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. Please note, if the answer to your question is in the content above, I will not reply. Sorry, I just get too many questions these days and I can’t keep up.

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!

85 Comments

  1. JM

    March 13, 2024 at 8:28 pm

    Hi JJ,

    I am moving to AU end of May and looking at transferring with my current employer to the AU business. The NZ and AU businesses essentially work as two different businesses (AU business and NZ business) despite being the same company. The AU business wants me to start earlier in April – before my official arrival in May. For me to sign the contract, I’m assuming I will need to have the right to work for an AU business, and that will require me to already have the subclass 444 visa. I am thinking that I will fly to AU in early April to set up a bank account and tax number and go into the office for a week or so. Entering into AU, I will receive my subclass visa. I am thinking I will stay for two weeks and return to NZ until we officially move in May and continue to work for the AU business remotely. My concern is that I will leave AU and the visa will no longer stand and technically I will not have the right to keep working for an AU business. Do you have any guidance on my situation? Cheers

    Reply
    • JJ Smith

      March 14, 2024 at 2:09 pm

      Hi JM,
      You can work for a Australian company from NZ. It is not dependent on your visa.
      You are doing the right thing by going to Australia to sign the contract and you may as well set up a bank account and TFN while you are there.
      The only thing to be aware of is when you do your tax returns, as you will need to make sure you aren’t taxed twice for the period you are working from NZ. You can read more on the Inland Revenue website on Double tax agreements (DTAs), or speak to your accountant. Here is the link to IRD: https://www.ird.govt.nz/international-tax/double-tax-agreements.
      Hope the above helps.

      Reply
  2. Ryan

    February 10, 2024 at 10:29 am

    Kia Ora JJ

    Thanks for the incredible resources you’ve pulled together on this website!

    My partner has just been accepted and started with the Queensland Police Service after 9 years policing in NZ. I’m looking to make the move over shortly after her as I have to get my property ready to be rented out. I still need to secure a job as well. I have ten years experience in the NZ Public Service/Sector, mostly in Senior Advisor roles. Do you have any advice for looking for roles in Brisbane?
    – Would the Queensland public service been a good option?
    – Is going through recruitment agencies the best approach to weed through all the listings to find the ones that best match my skills and experience?

    I’ve always found looking for a new role somewhat overwhelming

    Huge thanks!
    Ryan

    Reply
    • JJ Smith

      February 14, 2024 at 11:54 am

      Hi Ryan,
      Thanks for your comment.
      That’s awesome that your partner has been employed by the Queensland Police. They were offering a good recruitment package.
      Here are two sites to check out for a job in the Queensland public service sector:
      – Queensland Government Smart Jobs – https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobtools/jncustomsearch.jobsearch?in_organid=14904
      – Seek.com.au – these are the results searching public sector, but you will be able to narrow this down more and re-search with better keywords – https://www.seek.com.au/public-sector-jobs/in-brisbane
      When looking through the results on Seek you can see what recruitment company are recruiting for a particular position. I recommend you make list and contact them directly with your CV.
      Hope the above helps.

      Reply
  3. Michael

    February 1, 2024 at 12:44 am

    Hello, just wanted to know if there is entry level jobs in Australia where accommodation is what is offered as part of moving over there. I am looking for entry level jobs in the trades or any type of hands on work, I would even be interested in driving and transporting goods or freight, as I do have experience driving and do have the licences, if you could point me in the right direction that will be much appreciated. Thanks

    Reply
  4. Parma

    October 16, 2023 at 1:38 am

    I am planning to move to Australia in near future as the next phase of my career. I have got a PhD in Artificial Intelligence a am looking fora role in Data Science. I am happy to work in any part of Australia.

    Reply
  5. Ali Ubed

    October 14, 2023 at 4:13 am

    Hi JJ I’m a Truckee in NewZealand and was wondering which is better to move to Adelaide; Melbourne or Sydney and how hard is it to land a job in Australia

    Reply
    • JJ Smith

      October 16, 2023 at 1:42 pm

      Hi Ali,
      I recommend you search the Australia job hunting websites and see for yourself.
      I did a quick search on Seek.com.au for ‘truck driver’ keyword, in ‘Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics’ category, ‘Road Transport’ sub category in Adelaide SA that 169 jobs came up. Same search in Melbourne – 370 jobs and 372 jobs came up in Sydney.
      There are obviously a lot of different licenses and you will need to see what is applicable to you.
      When you have a search you will see sign on bonus’s and immediate starts, so I don’t think it will be hard for you to find a job as a truck driver in Australia.
      Truck drivers are listed as having shortages in the industry in all states (https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/skills-priority-list?code=733111). This means employers are unable to fill or have considerable difficulty filling vacancies.
      I recommend you get your CV up to date and start applying.
      Hope the above helps.

      Reply
  6. Caitlin Nicol

    September 17, 2023 at 6:04 pm

    Hi JJ

    What a great website you have!

    I’m considering moving to Sydney temporarily (up to 18 months) to make some extra money.

    My background is in customer service. Is it difficult to try to find a job from New Zealand? I would want to secure this before I considered moving.

    I currently live in Hamilton and don’t pay for accommodation as I live with my mother. I’ve heard the living costs in Australia are higher than here. The tax system is different too. Would I still be better off financially taking this into consideration?

    As a New Zealand citizen born in Sydney am I eligible for citizenship or do I need to wait 4 years like other New Zealanders?

    Sorry, I know I’ve asked a lot of questions!

    If you can help or direct me to where I could find more information, I would really appreciate it.

    Thank you!

    Caitlin Nicol

    Reply
    • JJ Smith

      September 19, 2023 at 2:00 pm

      Hi Caitlin,
      Thanks for your comment.
      There is a lot of cross-Tasman recruitment happening at the moment, so you have a good chance of securing a job before you leave NZ.
      You would need around NZ$11,045.5 in Sydney to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with NZ$7,200.0 in Hamilton (assuming you rent in both cities). This calculation uses our Cost of Living Plus Rent Index to compare the cost of living and assume net earnings (after income tax). Source: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=New+Zealand&city1=Hamilton&country2=Australia&city2=Sydney.
      You have chosen an expensive city to move to, but you should also earn a lot more.
      The above link compares Hamilton to Sydney costs of living really well, with price differences for restaurants, markets, transportation, utilities, sports and leisure, rent, etc. Here is another good comparison website that compares the cost of living in NZ to Australia, but unfortunately does not include Hamilton: https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/interactives/costofliving/compare/auckland-vs-sydney/.
      However, as you do not currently pay rent, you will need to be earning a lot more money in Australia to make it financially worth it. This could be the case with the average monthly net salary (after tax) being NZ$3,893.95 in Hamilton and NZ$6,334.72 in Sydney (+62.7%).
      Therefore I recommend you do some research on SEEK to see how much you would possibly earn and then work out your monthly expenses. The numbers will speak for themselves.
      Here is a good post to read to find out how much accommodation will cost you in Sydney depending on how to where you chose to live: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/renting-and-accommodation-in-australia/.
      Regarding citizenship, you may be able to apply for Australian citizenship by birth, if one of your parents was an Australian citizen: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/new-zealand-citizens/your-family. Otherwise you will need to be living in Australia for four years immediately before the day you apply.
      Hope the above helps.

      Reply
  7. Tyler King

    July 6, 2022 at 11:57 am

    Hi, I am a qualified realestate agent from Auckland, I am moving to Queensland, where do I go to be ab le to transfer my licence over to a Queensland one?

    Reply
    • JJ Smith

      July 7, 2022 at 10:52 am

      Hi Tyler,
      Thank you for your comment. First time I’ve been asked this.
      You need to apply to have the licence you gained in NZ recognised in Queensland. By completing a Mutual Recognition Form which can be found on the Office of Fair Trading website Queensland, and paying the fee, you are legally allowed to work from that point on.
      Have a read of this post, which includes the links you need: https://www.completepropertytraining.com.au/2016/03/22/applying-for-mutual-recognition-of-your-real-estate-licence/.
      Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
      Good luck with your move.

      Reply
  8. Justine

    June 20, 2022 at 1:33 pm

    Hi JJ,
    I came across your website about moving to Australia, it was very helpful and informative. However, I have some questions and need some advice before making the move. I am Justine, I am a Registered Nurse, my current visa is Permanent Resident of NZ. Are there any chances of employers being willing to support and provide a work visa for me? And also, this is my important question, are NZ, PR Visa and AU Work Visa holders eligible for free delivery? In case in the future I gave birth while on that visa? Thank you so much, hope to hear from you soon.
    Regards,
    Justine

    Reply
  9. C D

    May 4, 2022 at 1:05 am

    Hi JJ,

    I’m a police officer with 9 years experience and looking at moving my young family over the ditch. My wife has 5 years experience in administrative work/payroll. Would love to see what jobs would be on offer either in policing or other jobs that would take into account my experience. Preferably in the Perth area but open to any options. Thanks

    Reply
  10. Aria

    March 23, 2022 at 1:57 am

    Hi JJ,
    I have couple of questions about the blue card – Currently, I’m living in NZ and have a Diploma in ECE level 5 and over 4 years of experience. Now, planning on moving to Gold coast in mid/end of May 2022. Will I be able to apply for the blue card online from NZ? If so, How soon do I need to start applying before arriving to Aus.? I also have a Australian address to send card once applied for.

    Thank you in advance

    Reply
  11. Swetha

    February 24, 2022 at 12:00 am

    Hi ,
    This is Swetha. I am working as Early Childhood Teacher in Auckland. Iam a qualified and registered teacher. I am planning to relocate to Melbourne Victoria as my partner has got a job opportunity. I would like to know the job opportunities in Early childhood sector.

    Reply
    • JJ Smith

      February 24, 2022 at 11:25 pm

      Hi Swetha,
      Thank you for your comment.
      You will need to search for a job like you would in New Zealand. Here is a link to the Google search I did: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Early+Childhood+jobs+in+melbourne.
      As you will see from the above there are not only 1877 jobs listed on Seek for early childhood, but there are also a number of companies offering early childhood teacher jobs.
      I recommend you look through both the specialised websites and Seek so you know what the employment rate is in your sector. Then get your CV up to date and start applying.
      Unfortunately people usually don’t get a response from Seek general listings, as it is easier to have an interview with someone based in Australia, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth investing some time into it.
      Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
      Good luck with your move.

      Reply
  12. Ant

    May 5, 2021 at 6:43 am

    Hi JJ
    Is there an option for NZ citizens to gain Australian permanent residency before moving over there. As I study through a university of Australia online from here, and looking and heading over there to finish the papers. Thank you
    Ant

    Reply
    • JJ Smith

      May 5, 2021 at 9:48 pm

      Hi Ant,
      Thank you for your comment.
      I’m not sure if that is possible. I recommend you check out IMMagine and complete their free preliminary evaluation: http://www.immigration.co.nz/.
      Their free preliminary evaluation (http://www.immigration.co.nz/assessments/free-evaluation/) will establish which Visa category may suit you and whether it’s worth your while ordering a comprehensive full assessment. Not many immigration companies do this. Next step is a full assessment (http://www.immigration.co.nz/assessments/full-assessment/) where IMMagine will develop your detailed strategy, timeline and pricing structure in-person or on Skype. Naturally, a small cost applies for this full and comprehensive assessment.
      You can also post your question online and one of the IMMagine team will be in touch with your answer within 24 hours (usually same day response) for a small fee (AUD$15.00): http://www.immigration.co.nz/ask-us-question/ask-us/.
      Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.

      Reply

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