Moving to Australia from New Zealand?
Get all information you need to make a successful and stress-free move across the ditch.
Below are a list of frequently asked questions we get regularly. If there is something you want to know please use the comment form at the bottom of the page.
YES… Under the SCV (Special Category Visa), New Zealanders are allowed to work and live in Australia permanently. They can live, work, study, purchase property and enjoy beautiful Australia.
And with the direct pathway to citizenship, New Zealanders (lovingly known as Kiwis, our national bird) can now apply for Australian citizenship after living in Australia for four years! Read more in my direct pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders in Australia post.
Yes! New Zealand citizens are allowed to work in Australia without restrictions. When entering Australia, NZ citizens are granted an SCV (Special Category Visa); this allows us to live, work, or study as long as we remain NZ citizens, subject to health or character considerations.
As an SCV is not a permanent visa, visa holders do not have the same rights and benefits as Australian citizens or permanent residents, so you should apply for Australian citizenship after living in Australia for four consecutive years. Read more about SCV Visa Exclusions or becoming an Australian citizen.
New Zealand citizens can study in Australia at an Australian tertiary institution and are eligible to pay domestic fees instead of international fees.
However, most New Zealand citizens are not eligible for a student loan, known in Australia as a Help loan, to pay university fees or a student allowance for living costs. You will need to get Australian citizenship to get a student loan.
For more information, read my student loans post or the section applying to study at Australian universities in my schools in Australia post.
The good news is that there is no age limit for New Zealand citizens moving to Australia, even 60+! You can move to Australia at any age as a NZ citizen, which is very fortunate, as the rest of the world is not.
If you are not an NZ citizen, you typically need to qualify for a Parent or Partner visa or have at least AUD $5 million to invest in approved investments (excluding real estate). For more detailed information, consult the official Australian immigration resources or seek advice from a migration specialist.
Unfortunately, New Zealand permanent residency does not entitle you to an SCV (Special Category Visa), which NZ citizens automatically get granted when they enter Australia. If you are a New Zealand permanent resident, you must apply for a visa to live and work in Australia.
Yes, New Zealanders with permanent residency need a visa to work, study and live in Australia. Most New Zealand citizens can visit, live and work in Australia without applying for a tourist or work visa.
Permanent residents in NZ need to apply for a visa. For more detailed information, consult the official Australian immigration resources or seek advice from a migration specialist.
Flip yeah! Australian citizens are able to live, work or study in New Zealand.
Australian citizens do not need a work visa to work in New Zealand. This is also the case if you hold a current Australian permanent residence visa, including a current Australian resident return visa.
To be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship, you must have lived in Australia on a valid visa for four years and not been absent from Australia for more than one year or have been living in Australia for 12 months as a permanent resident.
Read my direct pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders in Australia post for more information.
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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claire stronge
June 23, 2024 at 1:43 pmHi JJ thank you for creating and sharing so much helpful content. I wonder if you have any insight into our barrier? My husband is Kiwi from birth, we have lived in Australia since 2018 on (scv 444). Then in 2022 he was encouraged to become a PR and secured a Resident Return visa (very simple process online) this was all before the new pathway was announced in 2023. Now he urgently needs to become a citizen so that our son can access NDIS funding. The online “application by conferral “ says he cannot proceed with the application as he has not met the residency requirements. We have been here for almost 7 years non stop so absolutely meet the time in Oz requirement. What are we doing wrong?
Our son is also a nz citizen on a scv 444, immigration told us on the phone he cannot become a PR anymore and must become a citizen as part of my husbands application.
With very best wishes StrongeUK
JJ Smith
June 24, 2024 at 12:23 pmHi Claire,
Thanks for your comment and compliment.
Unfortunately, I am not an immigration specialist and cannot recommend the best citizenship path for your husband or son.
I’ve done some research but cannot find anything helpful. Therefore I recommend you ask the same question to IMMagine: https://immigration.co.nz/ask-us-question/. I have done this process myself and found the advice fantastic.
For a small fee (AUD$15.00), you can post your question online, and one of the IMMagine team will contact you with your answer within 24 hours (usually same-day response). This service is designed for people who need quick access to accurate information but don’t want to trawl the internet to find the answers or commit to anything just yet. Most importantly, your questions are answered by licensed advisers living in New Zealand or Australia.
I hope the above helps.
Ruth Foley
June 22, 2024 at 4:39 pmHello
I am an Australian citizen (born in NZ) and want to move my mum over from NZ to live with me in Australia . She is 79 and has alzheimers. I know there is no age restriction, but will her alzheimers be an issue? I see some medical reasons however she won’t be working so won’t need any special visa?
JJ Smith
June 25, 2024 at 12:21 pmHi Ruth,
Thanks for your comment and compliment.
Unfortunately, I am not an immigration specialist and can only give recommendations from what I can find online.
As an NZ citizen, your Mum will not need a special visa to move to Australia to live with you. She will be electronically given a Special Category Visa (SCV) when she processes through border control. Her Alzheimers will not change this.
The two eligibility restrictions for an SCV are whether you have any criminal convictions or untreated tuberculosis. These may restrict you from being allowed to enter Australia.
I’ve done some research on living in Australia with Alzheimer’s and living in your care.
Her medication is subsidized by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). I had to search for an example medication, but you can check for the actual one on the following link: https://www.pbs.gov.au/medicine/item/1956Y-2492E-2513G-9306T.
Therefore, you will need to apply for Medicare as soon as she arrives: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/medicare-australia/. There is a delay in Medicare applications at the moment, so I suggest you get three months’ supply of any medication from NZ and make sure you have all the info for the application from her doctor, etc.
My costs of medication and operations in Australia post covers the requirements for travelling with medication: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/costs-of-medication-and-operations-in-australia/.
Here are a few resources that might help you regarding caring for a person living with Alzheimers:
– Caring for someone living with dementia – https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/caring-someone-living-dementia
– Dementia Australia – https://www.dementia.org.au/
– Overview of dementia support services and initiatives – https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dementia/dementia-in-aus/contents/aged-care-and-support-services-used-by-people-with/overview-of-dementia-support-services-and-initiati
I hope the above answers your question and that the resources will help you care for your mum. What a wonderful thing to do.
Rhooky
June 17, 2024 at 4:27 pmHi JJ, I am an Aussie living in NZ. My wife is English but now has her NZ passport. Was wondering if you knew if there was an age limit on moving to Aussie? Our UK friends down the road are looking as well. They have just applied for NZ citizenship.
Thank you for your time.
JJ Smith
June 20, 2024 at 12:11 pmHi Rhooky,
Thank you for your email.
The good news is that there is no age limit for New Zealand citizens moving to Australia!
I just researched UK citizens moving to Australia and the main cut off is 45. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t realize how lucky we are.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.