Moving to Australia from New Zealand?
Get all information you need to make a successful and stress-free move across the ditch.
I was interviewed this morning by the lovely Ruth Evans, from Ruth Evans Productions, a BBC content producer. She is visiting NZ all the way from her home in London. She had just spent a month in Australia!
She’s working on a documentary about why so many New Zealanders are moving to Australia right now, what some call a “brain drain,” as many of those leaving are highly skilled workers. She’s also exploring the cultural impact of inbound immigration on New Zealand.
Editor’s note: Are you thinking about moving to Australia?
If you’re considering the move, or if you’ve already made it, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your motivation or experience in the comments section below.
The podcast will come out in late August, and of course, I will share it with you all, so make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter or watching my socials (Facebook, Instagram).
From my perspective, the reasons haven’t changed much in the last 16 years, though a few new factors have come into play (thanks cost of living crisis).
Interestingly, the number one question Ruth keeps getting from the experts she interviews is:
“Why is the BBC making a documentary about New Zealanders moving to Australia?”
And honestly, I found her answer so intriguing.
From the outside, New Zealand looks like a dream destination: clean, green, and full of opportunities. So why are so many skilled workers packing up and heading across the ditch?
This is one of the first questions Ruth asked me.
Historically, there is always a spike in migration to Australia after a big change in NZ, especially a new Prime Minister! Throughout COVID-19, there was a big spike in website traffic, and it was a real discussion many Kiwi families were having and the movement when the borders opened was real.
It seems different at the moment. Everyone is talking about moving to Australia. Everyone knows someone who is moving to Australia.
The short answer? Better pay, better weather, and a better shot at home ownership. Despite the rising cost of living in Australia, many Kiwis still find it more affordable than home. And because we can!
Then we get to the current motivation, the main crisis currently facing New Zealand families, and likely the top reason so many are making the move to Australia, the cost of living crisis. And let’s be real—things aren’t exactly cheap on either side of the Tasman.
In New Zealand, the cost of essentials—housing, groceries, fuel, and utilities—has skyrocketed in recent years. Wages, on the other hand, haven’t kept up. Many families are feeling squeezed, struggling to save, and finding it harder to get ahead.
Housing: New Zealand has some of the most expensive housing relative to income in the world. Whether you’re renting or trying to buy, it’s a challenge.
Power & Fuel: With rising electricity and fuel costs, just keeping the lights on and commuting to work is getting more expensive.
For many Kiwis, it’s becoming harder to justify staying when a better financial future seems possible just across the ditch.
Let’s be honest, Australia isn’t cheap either. The cost of living has been rising, particularly in cities like Sydney and Melbourne. But here’s the key difference: higher wages and better job opportunities make it easier to keep up.
Higher Wages: Even with a higher cost of living, Australians generally earn more, which means there’s still room to save, invest, or afford a better lifestyle.
Housing: While some parts of Australia are just as expensive as NZ (looking at you, Sydney!), there are still many cities where homeownership is more achievable.
Groceries & Fuel: While prices have increased, grocery competition is stronger in Australia, which helps keep costs lower than in NZ. Fuel is also generally cheaper.
For many Kiwis, yes. Even though Australia has its own cost of living pressures, the ability to earn more, afford a home, and enjoy a better lifestyle makes the move worth it.
Ruth’s podcast will educate us on why migration from New Zealand to Australia is so high at the moment and provide us with additional information on how our culture might have changed with the high level of migration into NZ.
So will the world get a surprising answer? Is there something about New Zealand they don’t know? Is it not as impressive as it looks from the outside?
Personally, I think it NZ is as amazing as it seems, but that doesn’t change the facts. We live in an expensive world where you need to make good money to live a comfortable life. And even more if you have unforeseen health issues and no insurance, family members with special needs, or if you want to eat out in restaurants, drink in a pub, or travel, just to name a few.
Keep an eye out for Ruth Evan’s podcast through my newsletter or socials (Facebook, Instagram).
If you’re considering the move, or if you’ve already made it, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your motivation or experience in the comments section below.
I know moving to Australia is a huge decision, and it’s not easy. Moving countries means uprooting your life, finding a new job, a home, building a new social circle, sorting out paperwork. But with record numbers making the move, the world is watching and wondering… why?
Thanks for reading!
JJ Smith x
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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Mark
April 6, 2025 at 9:17 amMy wife and I are 70 and 72. We go to Queensland every year last 40 years for holidays every year say we must live here. At our age and very independent if we did go see out our years in Australia what we not be entitled to ie pension health etc..,nz health system we pay anyway because of huge wait times. I believe that you get means tested on your wealth. How this work,
Lynda
April 5, 2025 at 2:55 pmBetter more accessible urgent healthcare… huge factor
Annie
April 5, 2025 at 12:53 pmNZers have always moved to Australia; I don’t think this era is much different. I do think there should be a standdown time for new immigrants into both countries who have gained citizenship, because NZ, in particular, has always been used as a door to Australia.
My reason for eventually moving will be to have more places to explore. I have travelled extensively in Australia and want to do more.
There are parallels in the cost of living and housing shortage in both countries. It’s not a bed of roses in either country, however, Australia probably has more opportunities and a better education.
Jeanene Barclay
April 5, 2025 at 9:38 amIt has always been my dream to move to the Gold Coast and I would move in a heartbeat if I could. We will be looking at purchasing an apartment in the next couple of years over there and keep our house in New Zealand as my husband doesn’t want to move yet. The reason I want to move is because people are happy over there, they have a great sense of humour and the sun makes a difference. When the kids and I are on the Gold Coast I’m in my happy place ❤️
Tiffany A
April 5, 2025 at 1:17 amI moved to Australia 3 years ago due to the economic opportunities – higher average salaries, more job opportunities, and easier access to the housing market.
So far it’s been better than I’ve expected. I’ve enjoyed my jobs, built good relationships with my colleagues, and my jobs have all paid well and better than NZ. And we got into the housing market and built a lovely family home. There is more government support available in Australia for first home buyers (including for New Zealanders) – grants are available, stamp duties are waived, and lending policies are not as strict (a 20% deposit isn’t mandatory). All of these helped us. In NZ, there never seemed to be much support.
Matthew Morris
April 4, 2025 at 11:38 pmI’m a kiwi moving to Australia at the end of the year. I’ve lived in the Netherlands for the last 27 years so I feel its time to move back home, however my brother, father and sister all live in Australia and Australia feels a lot more attractive an option than New Zealand. There are more high paying jobs available to me, I really like the Australian culture, I find it extremely polite, respectful and friendly and the weather of course is a big draw. I can’t wait to spend most of my time in shorts and tshirts instead of trousers and jumpers. I am worried that if Dutton got back in, he could pull the plug on the New Zealand citizen pathway options which would be gutting. I can’t wait to become an Australian citizen so I can finally vote. I haven’t been able to vote in any country in the world since the 90’s as I have lived in Europe for a long time so I have been completely disenfranchised living as an expat.
Tina Stringer
April 4, 2025 at 8:17 pmIt’s been really interesting reading your article and the responses so far.. my entire family live in Australia and I thank God they made their decisions when they did because there is no way they would have what they have if they had stayed in NZ… IM 76 and often think about moving to be closer to them but I couldn’t afford to buy a house now so I’d have to Rent which is an ominous thought. Then I think well it’s only a 3 1/2 hr flight to see them but you know that’s not going to be easy for me in time to come. It makes more sense for me to go there because I can see all of them in one visit. It’s quite upsetting sometimes thinking about it all..
Sharon Wilkinson
April 4, 2025 at 6:42 pmOne of the main reasons for moving to Australia was because of the very poor public education system. My children had to sit in these “modern learning environments” of up to 90 students. They cannot be taught this way. My youngest was getting lost in the system. When I moved to Australia, the state school my children are attending, have been super supportive giving free support during class time and doing thorough tests to evaluate why grades are low. My other child is in Scholars class and excels. She wasn’t even noticed in her previous school in NZ. No one seems to mention education, but for me, it was one of the biggest reasons as to why I left.
Leiana
April 5, 2025 at 12:10 pmYes and if I can add to that theres a shortage of teachers in NZ..they are bringing in immigrants who cant speak the english language very well and giving them jobs teaching…now my son only understands alf of what he is saying…and kids are afraid to ask the teacher to repeat what they have said, as they are made to feel like they cant ask or the teacher will make a spectacle of them….
Denise
April 4, 2025 at 5:41 pmI will be moving to Australia towards the end of this year for various reasons.
Since my husband passed away 3 years ago I have no family here in Auckland but I do have family in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. I have secured a place in a retirement village on the Sunshine Coast which is much better value than I could find in Auckland.
I will miss my friends and I will miss my view which I have had for 47 years and I will be slightly worse off financially, but I have given it considerable thought and think it is the right move. My friends think it will be a lovely place to come for a holiday.
Hattie
April 4, 2025 at 5:36 pmHi JJ.
We moved here from NZ just over two years ago. We are a family of five, two teenagers, one son in his twenties and two professional adults.
We moved for all of the reasons you have stated as well as the following:
– Our teens now have access to more opportunities in the larger cities and Better, less ‘woke’ universities. We live near Melbourne.
– Our twenty-something son can earn more here too. It’s better for his career.
Regarding our decision to sell up and move our entire lives, I think there are two questions here. One is about leaving NZ and the other is about moving to Australia.
As relatively high earners and tax payers we did not feel we had a voice in NZ. We were not indigenous and we had no control or influence. No one in authority appeared to care about us or show any interest in our concerns. We seemed to be paying more and more taxes and levies for things we didn’t agree with.
We also found people becoming increasingly racist, an issue that did not exist a few years ago.
Essentially, our values did not align with NZ values, so we gave up and left.
We asked a lot of people what Australia would like before we moved over here. Obviously we visited a lot too. Generally, we were told that Australia is a lot like New Zealand but a lot better.
We love it here, for more reasons than you have stated. It’s not perfect of course, but it is much, much better.
Kirsty Bouwstra
April 4, 2025 at 5:10 pmWe are definitely interested in the idea of moving to Aussie from NZ. We are currently travelling Australia full time in a caravan with our two kids, a way of seeing the country, having an adventure and seeing if we could see ourselves living here. So far we are loving it. Not just the lifestyle but the cheaper costs, especially food and fuel, two of our biggest costs on the road. We are always looking at property as we travel and have certainly found the towns cheaper than NZ. The cities are still up there in price but after realising how easy it is to fly back across the ditch to visit family it sure is appealing to stay here longer term. We will certainly be weighing it all up, especially what’s best for our children’s future opportunity wise and economically.