Moving to Australia from New Zealand?
Get all information you need to make a successful and stress-free move across the ditch.
Medicare is a publicly funded universal health care scheme in Australia. Operated by the government authority Medicare Australia, Medicare is the primary funder of health care in Australia, funding primary health care for Australian citizens and permanent residents (except for those on Norfolk Island).
Residents are entitled to subsidised treatment from medical practitioners, eligible midwives, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals who have been issued a Medicare provider number and can also obtain free treatment in public hospitals.
As an NZ Citizen, you are eligible for Medicare Australia. However, you need to either live in Australia for 6 months or provide proof that you’ll be living there for the next 6 months.
I’ve been advised by mutliple visitors that there is a 2 to 3 months wait for Medicare applications to be processed. This is inconsistant with their website, which states 16 calendar days to process an application from the date they recieve it.
They do state that, some applications may take longer if the Department of Health and Aged Care need to assess them.
Therefore, get your application ready to go before you leave NZ and apply asap when you arrive in Australia. However, make sure you application is complete (see below).
The info you will find below in this post:
To enroll in Medicare Australia, you must first demonstrate that you are either living in Australia or have moved there permanently. The requirements for enrollment are as follows:
You can enroll within 6 months of arriving in Australia.
It’s recommended to wait at least one week after your arrival before applying. This gives Medicare time to receive your visa details from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.
Once your application is accepted, you will be sent a Medicare card, though it may take a few weeks to arrive. In the meantime, you can use a digital version of your Medicare card as soon as your application is processed.
To access your digital Medicare card, download the Express Plus Medicare app and log in. You’ll need a myGov account linked to your Medicare online account to use the app. If you don’t have these accounts, you can set them up and then download the app.
You can enrol in Medicare either:
You can enrol in Medicare online as either an individual or a family through your myGov account and easily track the progress of your application.
To enrol online, you and your family members must meet the following requirements:
For family enrolment:
If you already have a myGov account, simply sign in and follow the steps to enrol in Medicare. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create an account first.
If your application is approved, they’ll contact you with your next steps. They’ll also send you your Medicare card in the mail to the address you gave them.
If you’re unable to enrol online, you can complete a Medicare enrolment form and submit it by mail or email, along with your supporting documents, to Medicare Enrolment Services.
If submitting by email, include “Medicare enrolment” in the subject line to ensure faster processing.
As a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia, you need to provide two residency documents from the below (2 documents from Australia, or 1 document from Australia and 1 from NZ).
Documents from another country:
Documents from Australia:
As you can see from the above, these documents support the fact that you have moved to Australia and plan to live there for the foreseeable future, not just on holiday and wish to get cheap healthcare while there. Most rental agreements in Australia are for a minimum of one year, or if you moved your furniture over, you are not going to move it back in a hurry, etc.
You can read more on the Medicare Australia website, about the documents you need if you’re a New Zealand citizen to prove your identity and residency.
When submitting your documents, make sure they:
If you are visiting Australia, you may be eligible for care under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, which covers essential treatment in a public hospital. However, you cannot enrol in Medicare or receive a Medicare card until you provide proof that you live in Australia.
You can read more in my Australian Health Care System post.
You can find the below information on the Medicare’s eligibility criteria webpage.
You can enrol in Medicare if you live in Australia and you’re any of these:
You can also enrol if you’re a citizen or permanent resident of any of these: Norfolk Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island or Lord Howe Island. You may be able to enrol if you’re visiting from a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement country.
The PBS rebate is deducted before being sold to you. From 1 January 2024, you may pay up to $31.60 for most PBS medicines or $7.70 if you have a concession card. The Australian Government pays the remaining cost (except brand premiums and certain other allowable charges).
The PBS Schedule lists all of the medicines available to be dispensed to patients at a Government-subsidised price. The Schedule is part of the wider Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme managed by the Department of Health and Aged Care and administered by Services Australia.
Find out exactly how much your medication will cost in my costs of medication and operations in Australia post.
If your doctor has Bulk Bills (rather hard to find but more common for concession card holders), you should not have to pay anything for an appointment with your doctor.
If they do not bulk bill, you will need to pay the ‘gap’ between the Medicare rebate and the fee if the surgery will do the rebate on the spot, or the entire amount (most common). If you pay the entire amount you need to apply to Medicare for the rebate, in person or via the post.
The Medicare scheduled fee for a standard appointment is approximately $29.45 and the doctor’s fee can be around $40. Your out-of-pocket expenses are what is taken into account if you register for the Medicare Safety Net.
The Australian Government Department of Health website has a tool for finding and understanding the costs of medical specialist services across Australia, including operations. You can search for a procedure or service or browse by category.
Find out how much your operational or specalist will cost in my costs of medication and operations in Australia post.
Under the PBS, the government subsidises the cost of medicine for most medical conditions. Most of the listed medicines are dispensed by pharmacists, and used by patients at home. Some medicines are dangerous to administer and need medical supervision (such as chemotherapy drugs) and are only accessible at specialised medical services, usually hospitals.
The PBS Schedule lists all of the medicines available to be dispensed to patients at a Government-subsidised price. The Schedule is part of the wider Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme managed by the Department of Health and Aged Care and administered by Services Australia.
They now have the schedule online and it is updated every month. This online searchable version contains:
The Scheme is available to all Australian residents who hold a current Medicare card. Overseas visitors from countries with which Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) are also eligible to access the Scheme (New Zealand).
You will need to provide your Medicare card every time you present your script to the pharmacist to receive subsidised medication.
You can read more about PBS on their website and search the PBS schedule to see if your medication is covered and what you can expect to pay.
In Australia, the government has a Continence Aids Payment Scheme, which is a yearly non-taxable payment to assist eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the cost of their continence products.
As a New Zealand citizen who holds a Special Category Visa (SCV), you have permanent residency rights under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007, therefore you are eligible for the scheme.
You should be able to find everything you need to know on the Continence Foundation of Australia website.
For more information on Medicare visit: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/contact-us.
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. 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.
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 20 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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Russ
October 13, 2020 at 8:17 pmHi there, great site.
Just wondering if our Medicare cards/ membership would still be valid as we haven’t been living in Aus for about 20 years, (NZ Citizens) although have been back for numerous holidays sine we left.
JJ Smith
October 15, 2020 at 3:01 amHi Russ,
Thank you for your comment.
Medicare cards are valid for 5 years. However, I believe your Medicare number will remain the same.
You will need request a new card. You can do this by using your Medicare online account (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/medicare-online-accounts) through myGov (https://my.gov.au/) or by calling the Medicare general enquiries line (+61 2 8633 3284).
Please note, you may need to wait until your in Australia and call 132 011 to request a new card.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Amy
July 20, 2020 at 7:10 amHi, I understand Medicare subsidises doctors etc and you need to pay a portion of the doctors fees per visit. My query is, on top of this, is there also a monthly/yearly fee? We are a NZ family living in Australia and currently have private insurance. I haven’t signed up to Medicare as I thought there were also a yearly fee.
JJ Smith
July 20, 2020 at 11:20 pmHi Amy,
Thanks for your comment.
Medicare is free if you are eligible.
You can enrol in Medicare at no cost if you’re a New Zealand citizen. You’ll need to provide both the below:
– a New Zealand passport for each person you want to enrol
– 2 documents per family that prove you live in Australia.
Here is the link for the documents – https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/how-enrol-and-get-started-medicare/enrolling-medicare/how-enrol-medicare-if-youre-new-zealand-citizen/documents-enrol-medicare-if-youre-new-zealand-citizen.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Sarah
February 17, 2020 at 8:16 pmHi there,
Do you know if you have to leave the Medicare Scheme once you return to New Zealand and if so how to go about doing this?
Thanks
JJ Smith
February 26, 2020 at 1:03 amHi Sarah,
Thanks for your comment.
When you return to NZ you do not have to inform Medicare or anything else. You will just stop using their services.
Have a lovely day.
Jay
February 4, 2020 at 1:45 amHi JJ, it’s a great website you’ve made here! Appreciate the info. My partner, my 6 month old baby and I are moving to Melbourne soon, and I’m trying to find out if we are all eligible for Medicare. We’re all New Zealand citizens with NZ passports. From what I can tell we would get visa on arrival? and then should be eligible to apply for Medicare?
Thanks!
Jay
JJ Smith
February 4, 2020 at 11:12 pmHi Jay,
Thank you for your comment.
Yes you will get automatically granted the digital SCV on arrival and with that are eligible to apply for Medicare.
You will need to apply in person at a Medicare office after you arrive. There is no delay in utilizing Medicare once you’ve applied.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Vanessa
January 20, 2020 at 5:01 amHi thank you for this informative webpage!
I am about to go to Melbourne to commence my uni study and I have a few questions.
Do you pay for medicare card as a uni student, and if you do how much will it cost?
JJ Smith
February 3, 2020 at 10:13 pmHi Vanessa,
Thank you for your comment and sorry for the delay in replying.
If you are moving to Australia on a SCV you are able to apply for a Medicare for free. You will need to apply in person in a Medicare Office. Please remember to take your passport.
You can fill out this form before you go into the Medicare Office to save time: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/3101-1306en.pdf.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Shoibvan
November 4, 2019 at 11:45 pmHi there to get my Medicare card and other things am I able to use my Nz birth certificate? As the only identifications that I have is my passport and birth certificate.
JJ Smith
November 4, 2019 at 11:49 pmHi Shoibvan,
Thanks for your message.
To apply for Medicare Australia card you need to satisfy to 100 Point Identification Check (https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/art/Documents/100-point-id-check.pdf)
Primary documents: 70 points
– Birth Certificate
– Birth card issued by the NSW Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages
– Citizenship Certificate
– Current Australia Passport
– Expired Australian Passport which has not been cancelled and was current within the preceding two years
– Current passport from another country or diplomatic documents
Secondary documents –must have a photograph and a name. The first item from this list is worth 40 points. Any additional items used are worth only 25 points each:
– Current driver photo licence issued by an Australia state of territory
– Identification card issued to a public employee
– Identification card issued by the Australian or any state government as evidence of a person’s entitlement to a financial benefit
– Identification card issued to a student at a tertiary education institution
Document – must have name and address: 35 points
– Document held by a cash dealer giving security over property
– A mortgage or other instrument of security held by a financial body
– Council rates notice
– Document from current employer or previous employer within the last two years
– Land Titles Office record
– Document form the Credit Reference Association of Australia
Document – must have name: 25 points
– Current credit card of account card from a bank, building society or credit union
– Current telephone, water, gas or electricity bill
– Foreign driver’s licence
– Medicare card
– Electoral roll compiled by the Australian electoral Commission
– Lease / rent agreement
– Current rent receipt from a licensed real estate agent
– Records of a primary, secondary or tertiary education institution attended by the applicant within the last 10 years
– Records of a professional or trade association of which the applicant is a member
According to the above you can use your passport, birth certificate and utility bill.
If you are still unsure you can contact Medicare: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/contact-us.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Gina Barrell
October 23, 2019 at 9:45 pmHi there
Firstly, thank you for your website…it’s sooo helpful.
My son and I are moving to GC in January.
Just an enquiry about Medicare…does that cover dentists do you know?
JJ Smith
October 23, 2019 at 10:39 pmHi Gina,
Thank you for your comment.
Children in New Zealand who meet the eligibility criteria for publicly funded health and disability services are entitled to free basic oral health services from birth to 17 years of age (until their 18th birthday).
You have to pay privately for the majority of adult dental services. A limited range of dental services are funded for some adults:
– People with disabilities or medical conditions such as mouth cancer may be referred to a hospital for their dental treatment by their usual dental practitioner or GP.
– People on low incomes who have a Community Services Card may be able to get emergency dental care, such as pain relief or extractions.
Here is a good article to read: https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/visiting-dentist/publicly-funded-dental-care.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Karu
October 1, 2019 at 8:30 pmYou are r dong an excellent service. The advice to open an account with a exchange company to transfer money helped me a lot to save a substantial amount of money.
Now we are on the next step of the process.
JJ Smith
October 9, 2019 at 12:11 amHi Karu,
Thank you for your comment.
I’m so glad to hear you took the advice and saved your hard earned cash!
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Fawzan
September 10, 2019 at 6:33 amHi,
I’m a Kiwi looking to move to Melbourne and wife is in Melbourne on student Visa (Sri Lankan). We want to have a baby soon. I am wondering if she will be eligible when she gets pregnant as I’m Kiwi.
Cheers!
JJ Smith
September 11, 2019 at 12:31 amHi Fawzan,
Thanks for your comment, but unfortunately I am not an immigration specialist and can’t help.
You can find an immigration specialist on the Australian Government website, Migration Agents Registration Authority (https://www.mara.gov.au/). Search Auckland for advisers specialising in Australia.
However, you may be able to find the answer on the Australian Government – Department of Immigration and Citizenship website (http://www.immi.gov.au).
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Sorry I could not be of more help.
Catrina Rooseboom deVries
July 26, 2019 at 6:56 pmHi i am moving to brisbane from nz and i wanted to know, do i need a medicare card before i get a job? I hope to set a job up for me before i leave. I am a qualified healthcare assistant. Is there anything else i may need before i get a job also?
JJ Smith
August 12, 2019 at 1:15 amHi Catrina,
Thank you for your comment. Sorry for the delay in replying.
You don’t need a Medicare card before you start work. You will need to apply in person at a Medicare office in Australia. It is recommended you wait one week after your arrival in Australia before applying, to allow time for Medicare to receive your visa details from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. Make sure you take your passport with you.
You should apply for a tax file number as soon as you arrive in Australia. You are not able to apply from New Zealand. You can apply online here: https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/tax-file-number/apply-for-a-tfn/foreign-passport-holders,-permanent-migrants-and-temporary-visitors—tfn-application/.
You can apply for a tax file number online if you meet these three conditions:
– You are a foreign passport holder, permanent migrant or temporary visitor.
– You are already in Australia.
– Your visa is one of the following:
– a permanent migrant visa
– a visa with work rights
– an overseas student visa
– a visa allowing you to stay in Australian indefinitely (including New Zealanders automatically granted a visa on arrival).
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Chris
June 26, 2019 at 10:52 pmHi there we are looking to move to Queensland from Christchurch. My wife is under the care of the neurosurgery department at our local hospital. She has a large high grade spetzler martin avm in her brain and requires multiple procedures on her brain over a period of years, she is otherwise healthy can work but is unable to drive. I’m wondering if she would qualify for Medicare and be able to have these procedures in Australia. Thank you for any help you can offer. Thanks, Chris
JJ Smith
June 26, 2019 at 10:59 pmHi Chris,
Thank you for your email.
I have read all info regarding eligibility for applying for a Medicare card and it doesn’t state anywhere about existing conditions getting taken into consideration. So you will be able to apply when you arrive in Australia.
I can’t find any information regarding treatment of high grade spetzler martin avm in Australia.
I recommend you talk to the neurosurgery department at your local hospital and see what they think.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Cara
May 7, 2019 at 11:45 pmHi there
My family and I are moving to Cairns in the next few months. I am currently looking into a few things and wonder if you could help me, or point me in the right direction.
We have a baby girl who is currently 8 weeks old, and I’m wondering if there is any equivalent of Plunket in Australia? Or, if not, who I would talk to about what vaccinations she would need in Australia, and who to go to for questions about raising children and tracking her development.
I have read the information about Medicare on your website, so that’s good at least.
Thanks
Cara
JJ Smith
May 7, 2019 at 11:47 pmHi Cara,
Thank you for your comment.
Have a read of this post – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/new-zealanders-having-a-baby-in-australia/. It covers having a baby, the newborn supplement and bringing up children in Australia.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is the closest thing to Plunket in Australia. It is a fantastic resource for New Zealanders living in Australia with a family: http://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/.
Regarding vaccinations, here is a link to information on immunisations on the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/immunisation-for-babies. It covers, how, when, why and costs.
Here is another site that lists the Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule: https://www.mydr.com.au/kids-teens-health/vaccination-australian-standard-vaccination-schedule.
Please feel free to ask me any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Cara
June 5, 2019 at 11:26 pmHi Johanna
Thanks so much for your email, it’s a great help.
It looks like we now could be moving to Yeppoon – were waiting on confirmation of my partners job still. I have tried to have a look to see if I could find information on living in Yeppoon, but cannot find a lot. One of the posts I found mentions crime and unemployment, however I can’t find anything else to back that up. All of the other posts are mostly positive, but they are from a few years back. As well as trying to find information on living there I’d also like to look at what types of jobs could be available for myself. Do you have any suggestions on where to look for information on living and working in Yeppoon?
Also, if you had any information on moving belongings from NZ to Aus that would also be appreciated.
Thanks again
JJ Smith
June 5, 2019 at 11:28 pmHi Cara,
I did some research online regarding Yeppoon and found the below.
Yeppoon is a small town with only 18,107 (2016 census). It is largely a tourist town, which means you may be able to get a job in hospitality until something came up in your area. However, there are 608 jobs listed on Seek in Yeppoon, so check them out: https://www.seek.com.au/jobs/in-yeppoon. Mind you, with an 12 week old, you may be able to get some financial help from the Australia Government, as we are entitled to family payments (https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/parenting-payment). Contact CenterLink with further questions.
Have you seen this info, a little insight into Yeppoon life:
– https://www.google.com/destination?q=Yeppoon&client=firefox-b-d&output=search&dest_mid=/m/02vmd4&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi4iszotdPiAhXaiHAKHXeeBA8Qri4wH3oECAwQAw#dest_mid=/m/02vmd4&tcfs=EhQKCS9tLzAydm1kNBIHWWVwcG9vbg
– https://littlegreybox.net/2017/06/12/23-awesome-things-you-absolutely-must-do-in-yeppoon/
Regarding moving your household goods to Australia, I recommend you contact Grace Removals. They are Australia’s largest removals company and offer very competitive rates, as well as having extremely good service. Here is more info on them: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/grace-removals/.
My first recommendation would have been to get on a plane and visit Yeppoon to see if you liked it, but this isn’t as easy with a 12 week old. If you don’t mind living in a small town, then Yeppoon might work for you and your family.
Hope the above helps.
Cara
June 6, 2019 at 10:03 pmThanks JJ, I really appreciate your help with this!!
I agree – visiting first would have been preferable but we’re not able to with timing. My partner has visited it briefly so I’m trusting him! He needs to be close to Rosslyn bay for work, hence the reason.
Thanks again – I may be in touch with more questions!! Your service is really helpful.
Cara
Rob
February 21, 2019 at 12:51 amHi there,
first off thank you for such an awesome site!.My 23yr old son is moving to Brisbane early March and I just want to know how he can get his monthly prescriptions tranferred to Australia?
Will he need to find a Doctor in his area in Oz first?,also transfer of medical records.
Can you advise me on what he has to do please,
Kind regards
Rob 🙂
JJ Smith
February 21, 2019 at 12:54 amHi Rob,
Thank you for your email.
Your son will need to request a copy of his medical records from his doctor and give them to his new doctor in Australia. It should be quite a straight forward process and he shouldn’t hit any hurdles, as long as he has his records.
However, before he visits his new doctor he should obtain a Medicare card. He will need to apply in person in a Medicare Office. He will need to take his passport. He can fill out this form before he goes into the Medicare Office to save time: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/3101-1306en.pdf.
Here is all the information he will need for Medicare enrollment for New Zealand Citizens: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/enablers/medicare-enrolment-new-zealand-citizens.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Rob
February 21, 2019 at 2:50 amThanks Johanna much appreciated. Keep up the great work and thanks for your time.
Cheers
Sharon
January 4, 2018 at 8:21 pmHi. I have lived in Adelaide for 15 years moved back to NZ just over 2 years ago.still own property in Adelaide. My older daughter now has a head injury since returning to NZ. what medical help can she get when we return or is there a stand down period ? She cant work yet but is recovering slowly.
Sharon
JJ Smith
January 4, 2018 at 8:24 pmHi Sharon,
Thank you for your enquiry.
This is not really me field and I recommend you contact Medicare direct. However, as you have only been in NZ for two years and I’m guessing are still Australian Citizens, you should get the same care as you would have before moving.
I wish your daughter a speedy recovery.
Michelle
June 29, 2017 at 3:08 amWe are Kiwis moving to Brisbane Australia in November. Myself and my four teenagers. what is the appropriate and fastest way to apply for this?
Many thanks
Michelle
JJ Smith
September 26, 2017 at 10:58 pmHi Michelle,
Thank you for your comment. Sorry for the delay in replying.
Here is all the information you will need for Medicare enrolment for New Zealand Citizens: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/enablers/medicare-enrolment-new-zealand-citizens.
You will need to apply in person in a Medicare Office. Please remember to take your passport.
You can fill out this form before you go into the Medicare Office to save time: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/3101-1306en.pdf.
Good luck with your move.
Steve
May 6, 2022 at 1:30 amHi am looking to move to brisbane from Auckland I have a partner and a 2 year old son we are all citizens
Our intention is to move there get jobs find a rental and then buy a house my question is are houses cheaper in Brisbane than Auckland we don’t mind townhouses either I am a taxi driver in Auckland and my wife just graduated management degree in Auckland would getting jobs be difficult ? Any help appreciated steve
JJ Smith
May 6, 2022 at 3:41 amHi Steve,
Thanks for your comment.
Brisbane is a lovely city to live in.
The average net salary (after tax) in Brisbane is $5633.79/mth and $4433.29/mth in Auckland. Over $1200 more. You should both definitely earn more in Australia.
Rent is 18.68% lower in Brisbane and it is cheaper to buy a home.
Visit Budget Direct to compare all the costs of living: https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/interactives/costofliving/compare/auckland-vs-brisbane/.
Regarding employment, there is a skill shortage in Australia, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding a job if you are organised. Make sure you have all your documentation ready. Including your CV’s: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/jobs-in-australia/.
As NZ citizen’s we are eligible for FTB Part B without a stand down period, if you meet the eligibility and income test. The maximum rate for FTB Part B depends on the age of your youngest child. You should be eligible for $162.54 (youngest child is 0 to 5 years). Once you have your Medicare card you can apply: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/family-tax-benefit-part-b-eligibility?context=22151 and https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/family-tax-benefit-part-b-payment-rates?context=22151.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.