Moving to Australia from New Zealand?
Get all information you need to make a successful and stress-free move across the ditch.
Australia is one of the main destinations for New Zealanders looking for a change of scenery, a better climate, job opportunities, to earn more, to be closer to family and friends, to have a new lifestyle, or simply a change because we can move to Australia so easily from NZ.
Check out the ‘To Do List’ below to learn what you need to do before you leave New Zealand and what you need to do once you arrive in Australia.
Below is a general list of areas you will need to address when weighing up your potential move to Australia. It covers the big stuff you’ll need to organise when you are thinking/planning an international move.
Good luck with your move, and please feel free to ask any questions you have in the comment section at the bottom of each post.
I think I’ve written a post about everything moving to Australia related. So, if you’re looking for something in particular, use the search field (scroll) and type in a keyword or two.
In the list of posts, you should easily be able to find the answers to what you’re looking for. If you don’t, ask me a question in the comment field at the bottom of each post, and I’ll get back to you with the answer or the research I’ve done to help you out.
Below are my top 20 most visited posts:
Good luck with your move to the lucky country. Remember, I’m here to help.
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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Ella
May 11, 2025 at 10:10 pmHi, I’m moving back to Aus from Nz and don’t know what to do about my IrD account as I will not be moving back to NZ to work at all in the future. How do I go about closing down my account permanently
JJ Smith
May 22, 2025 at 1:17 pmHi Ella,
Thanks for your comment and sorry for the delay in replying.
If want to close your IRD account permanently, because you will be a tax resident of Australia and don’t plan on earning any income from NZ for the foreseeable further, then you should inform the IRD that you are moving to Australia and becoming an Australian tax resident.
Your change in tax residency is backdated to when you left New Zealand. If you know you’re making a permanent move and you’ve earned income in the current financial year, you will need to file an Individual tax return – IR3 before the end of the tax year. Show the income you earned between 1 April and the date you left.
Complete my individual income tax return – IR3: https://www.ird.govt.nz/income-tax/income-tax-for-individuals/what-happens-at-the-end-of-the-tax-year/individual-income-tax-return—ir3/complete-my-individual-income-tax-return—ir3.
You can read more on the IRD website, in their leaving New Zealand article.
Hope the above helps.
Christine
April 4, 2025 at 8:59 amHi, I am moving to Australia near the end of May. I have secured a job and already have somewhere to live. I know I have to sort bank account, TFN number, NSW driver license and maybe some other things when I arrive, but if I can come prepared with starting online applications and bringing completed documents how long will it take to get sorted? I need to give my new employer a start date and at this stage won’t arrive till 7 weeks time due to finish date at my job in NZ. Do I need to allow a week or could I be organized and get things done in a couple of days??
Your thoughts on this would be appreciated.
JJ Smith
April 8, 2025 at 1:10 pmHi Christine,
Thanks for your comment and sorry for the delay getting back to you.
It sounds like you’ve done your research, so well done! Here is a breakdown of time-frames.
Before you go:
– Bank account – two weeks before you go (online), then after you arrive pop into your local branch to collect your eftpos card and sign documents. Remember to ask for a printed out statement, which you will use for ID (https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/open-an-australian-bank-account/).
– XE account – if you don’t already have a foreign exchange account. I highly recommend XE (https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/foreign-exchange-money-transfer/).
ASAP after you arrive in Australia:
– Tax File Number (TFN) – Through the ATO – https://www.ato.gov.au/single-page-applications/iar#beforeStart. Proof of ID documents (three of the below)
– Passport
– Account statement from an Australian bank
– Australian driver’s licence
– Medicare card
– Drivers Licence NSW (this is good to do asap as you will need it for ID, you can book ahead):
– Application Form (https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-08/45070018-licence-application.pdf)
– Proof of identity (https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/driver-and-rider-licences/proof-of-identity/proving-your-identity):
– Passport
– Bank account statement or card with your name and signature on it.
Not as urgent as above, but may as well get it done:
– myGov account (https://my.gov.au/en/create-account/):
– Go to myGov and select Create account.
– Select Continue with email.
– Read the privacy notice and Terms of use. Next.
– Enter an Email address and select Next.
– Enter the Code sent to your email, then select Next.
– Enter your Mobile number (optional) and select Next.
– Enter the Code sent to your mobile phone and select Next.
– Enter a Password and then Re-enter password.
– Create your 3 Secret questions and answers. Choose from the list or create your own.
– Medicare – Medicare enrolment form (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/ms004) – you can do it online once you’ve setup a myGov account:
– ID: a New Zealand passport, and 2 residency documents:
– Documents from another country
– proof you sold your property
– proof you ended your lease
– proof you ended your employment
– proof you moved household goods or furniture
– proof you closed your bank account
– proof you cancelled health, property or contents insurance.
Documents from Australia
– proof of purchase of property, and gas or electricity account in the same name
– proof of rental or lease agreement, and gas or electricity account in the same name
– proof of your employment
– proof your child is enrolled in childcare, school or university
– proof you have a current bank account in Australia
– proof of health, property or contents insurance.
I recently created the above for my son who moved to Sydney earlier this year, hence the detailed list (he was never going to read my site, just use my brain).
It’s hard to recommend how long you will need before you start work. Different people, different time-frames. Hopefully the above will help you make an educated decision. A week will remove any stress, but you’ve got so much sorted already.
Hope the above helps.
Christine
April 8, 2025 at 4:04 pmHi JJ,
Thank you so much for your reply and information.
This will be super helpful to keep me organised and sorted for my arrival next month.
Thanks,
Christine
Dave
March 6, 2025 at 9:51 amYes, hi, it’s Dave here. I have looked up your website to investigate the ins and outs of moving to Australia as a retiree. Could you please advise on requirements and proviso to do so. Thanks
JJ Smith
March 6, 2025 at 11:35 amHi Dave,
Most of the content on my website will be relevant to you, including general information on moving to Australia, setting up bank accounts, finding accommodation, and more. Be sure to check out the newsletters when they arrive and click through for additional details as needed.
I wanted to highlight a couple of resources that might be particularly helpful for you as a retiree:
1. Australian Age Pension – This post covers everything you need to know about the Age Pension (eligibility starts at 67 years and older). You can find all the details here: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-age-pension/.
2. KiwiSaver for your Home Deposit – While this post is primarily about using your KiwiSaver for a home deposit, it also explains how to transfer your KiwiSaver to Australia. It’s a great resource if you’re planning to make that move: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/kiwisaver-for-your-home-deposit/.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email me, and I’d be happy to help!
Mo
September 25, 2024 at 1:16 amHi there,
Following up on an earlier comment, I’ve got the job in commbank lined up, but I am unable to make a Tax File Number while I am here in New Zealand. I am confused as to how I will be paid and how my taxes will be deducted, considering I cannot open an Australian bank account until 2 weeks before I leave.
Do you have any advise regarding this?
Thank you,
Mo
JJ Smith
October 16, 2024 at 5:28 pmHi Mo,
Thank you for your comment. Sorry for the delay in replying, I’ve been on holiday with my family.
No, you cannot apply for a TFN while living in NZ, you need to apply as soon as you arrive in Australia: https://www.ato.gov.au/single-page-applications/iar#beforeStart.
You should receive your TFN within 28 days after they’ve received your completed application and required documents. To prevent delays don’t lodge another application. You can read here all the information you will need to apply, so you can be prepared: https://www.ato.gov.au/forms-and-instructions/tfn-application-or-enquiry-for-individuals-instructions.
You will need to ask your employer how they will calculate your salary until you receive your TFN, as it is up to them.
Make sure you apply for a bank account through my link so you won’t need to supply extra paperwork: https://www.commbank.com.au/MAP127.
I hope the above helps.
Sandra Lyons
July 7, 2024 at 6:31 pmHi, my partner is 68 and I am 62 and we are looking to relocate to Melbourne next year to be close to our Australian based grandchildren. I intend to start job hunting early next year. My question is, we hope to rent our family home initially to ensure we are comfortable with the relocation before selling. Do you know how this will affect my partners age pension application? The rent will offset our rent we pay in Melbourne
JJ Smith
July 24, 2024 at 9:28 amHi Sandra,
Thanks for your comment. Sorry for the delay, I’ve been on holiday with my family.
Keeping your home in NZ will definitely affect your husbands Australia pension. It will be considered an asset.
Your earnings will also affect the amount of age pension he will receive in Australia.
You can work out how much pension he will receive by using the age pension calculator on SuperGuide’s website (it’s very simple to use): https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-calculator.
Unfortunately I am not a financial adviser and are only offering advice from information I have been able to find online.
Firstly I recommend you read of my Australian Age Pension post. This contains all the information I have been able to find out over the last few years: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-age-pension/#age-pension-calculator.
Secondly, I recommend he talks to Work and Income and enquirers if he is eligible to receive any NZ pension when you move to Australia.
Sorry I couldn’t give you more positive news. I understand you wanting to hold onto your NZ home for the security of moving back if it doesn’t feel right for you.
Please note, he has 26 weeks of receiving the NZ pension while in Australia, but he then applies and you still have your home, you might be sent a bill. More information is in my Australian age pension post.
Hope the above helps.