Are you one of the thousands of Kiwis considering moving to Australia for a better quality of life?

New Zealanders have been moving to Australia forever, but the exodus has been considerably higher since mid-2022 and into early 2023. With the New Zealand housing market being the slowest it’s been in 40 years, New Zealanders aren’t waiting to sell their homes before they make the move.

With higher wages, lower rents, and only four years until Australian citizenship, Australia’s grass is definitely looking greener!

The new direct pathway to Australian citizenship has been motivation for a lot of these Kiwis moving to OZ. You can read more about the new direct pathway to Australian citizenship in my post.

New Zealanders moving to Australia

New data from Statistics New Zealand confirms that 2022 saw the largest annual net migration loss to Australia in nearly a decade.

Since July 2023, the number of New Zealanders moving to Australia and those applying to become citizens has increased.

The new direct pathway to Australian citizenship was introduced on July 1, making it easier for Kiwis to apply for citizenship. I’m hearing the same from all my partners, and everyone knows someone who is moving to or considering moving to Australia.

Kiwi migrants arriving in Australia within a three-month period

The Australian Bureau recorded 12,650 New Zealanders arrived with the intention to stay during the first three months of 2023 – a 42% increase on the three months before.

There are plenty of things to tempt Kiwis across the ditch, including higher average wages. In NZ, an average full-time worker earns $1506 a week, while in Australia, that figure is $1970.

Comparatively lower rents are also a draw for New Zealanders.

Whether a new citizenship pathway for Kiwis announced in April has contributed to a large-scale brain drain is up for debate. Under the new rules, New Zealanders have access to Australian citizenship and its benefits after four years.

For a lot of Kiwis, it’s been the clincher, hence the increase.

One-third of NZ workers are considering the move to Australia

According to a new study, roughly one-third of the Kiwi workforce is thinking of quitting their jobs and moving to Australia.

Researchers from Massey and Otago universities found 34% of workers were “either strongly or moderately thinking of quitting” their jobs to move to Australia – and were 2.6 times more likely to do so after recent changes giving New Zealanders an easier pathway to Australian citizenship.

When asked if they would consider moving to Australia, given recent reports about gaining Australian citizenship, 9.5% of respondents said “yes”, 26.0% said “maybe” and 64.5% said “no”.

NZ General Election

With the general election in October, many New Zealanders wait to see what the outcome will be before making life-changing decisions. This happens every year.

The election’s main focus in 2023 will be on the state of the economy and the rising cost of living.

In New Zealand, moves taken earlier this year to soften the impact of the rising cost of living on households (the public transport subsidy, the cut in fuel excise tax, and the one-off $350 payment) are all coming to an end shortly. But the cost of living is still rising and is likely to do so well into 2024.

However, the impact of the election has not discouraged New Zealanders from moving to Australia like in previous elections. Many Kiwis are over NZ politics and want a change.

Australian firms actively enticing New Zealanders to Australia

Australian firms are working hard to attract New Zealand workers across the Tasman, with lucrative offers and promises of a better quality of life.

Companies are offering relocation packages of between $10,000 and $20,000 and of course, you also get a considerably higher salary.

At a time when New Zealanders are grappling with the high cost of living, these are all powerful incentives for some to pack up their bags and move their family abroad.

Sunshine Migration

Let’s not forget about Australia’s beautiful weather. Sunshine migration is a real thing! It occurs inside New Zealand, with places like Nelson and Tauranga benefitting. You can also see it between us and Australia, with migrants who go to Brisbane or the Gold Coast. It is a fact.

For people who have conditions that worsen in the cold, Australia is extremely attractive, and of course, you can do a lot more activities in the sun, which equals a better quality of life.

Current NZ property market

CoreLogic NZ’s new Housing Chart Pack indicated that 60,859 properties were sold in the year to February, the lowest 12-month total since October 1983.

There were about 4,100 sales in February, the lowest number for that month since 1981, and there were 16% more listings than at the same time last year.

CoreLogic NZ chief property economist Kelvin Davidson said the figures reflected recent interest rate hikes and tighter lending rules.

More homes/properties on the market and tougher lending requirements/costs equals fewer properties being sold.

Wait to sell your home? Or move now and start your new life in Australia while decreasing the delay to Australian citizenship.

Current News

If you Google ‘moving to Australia news,’ you will find article after article saying the same thing with different headings and examples: New Zealand citizens are moving to Australia for better wages, a better lifestyle, lower taxes, and warm weather.

Check it out: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-e&q=moving+to+australia+news.

I’ve written the above post with the help of the reliable sources below:

‘Leaving on a jet plane’: The house sellers who have given up on New Zealand

OneRoof – Nikki Preston
15 Aug 2023

How worried should we be about Kiwis leaving for Australia?

NZ Herald – Damien Venuto
06:43 pm, 1 Aug 2023

One-third of Kiwi workers think of quitting and moving to Australia – study

Stuff – Shilpy Arora
10:56, Aug 01 2023

‘Brain drain’ to Australia increases 42% in three months

Stuff – Geraden Cann
09:44, Jun 06 2023

Housing market sees biggest sales slump in 40 years

RNZ
12:02 am, 23 March 2023

You might also be interested in…

The below posts might interest you:

• Moving to Australia process
• Australian Visa
• Buying a house in Australia

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