Planning on working on a construction site in Australia? You will need a white card.
Workers on Australian construction sites must have a construction induction card (White Card) before starting work. Workers must show their white card to the PCBU on the site and to any inspectors who ask to see it.
Please note that you must physically be in Australia to sit a White Card course. White cards are recognised Australia-wide.
Moving to Australia and don’t know if you need a visa?
As a New Zealander, you have a unique opportunity if you’re considering a move to Australia. New Zealand and Australia have a Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement that allows their citizens to visit, study, live and work in either NZ or Australia for as long or little as they want.
Australia announced on 22 April 2023 a new direct pathway to citizenship for eligible New Zealand citizens who have lived in Australia for at least 4 years immediately before the day you apply.
The changes will come into effect from July 1 this year and be retrospective.
As an NZ citizen, you will be automatically granted a non-protected Special Category Visa (SCV) when you process through Australian border control, subject to meeting the health and character requirements. There is no mention of this at border control. It all happens electronically. The SCV is automatically cancelled upon departing Australia.
Need a mortgage to buy your new home in Australia? Then you need Australia’s Online Mortgage Broker.
Are you a New Zealander thinking about buying property in Australia? Getting a mortgage in Australia isn’t always easy, and it’s important to trust someone to get you the best deal possible.
UNO Home Loans, Australia’s Online Mortgage Broker, combines Unparalleled Service with technology to streamline the entire process of getting and having a mortgage so you save time, hassle and money for the entire time you have a home loan.
Can New Zealand citizens get a student loan in Australia? Or do you have an NZ student loan and want to know your commitments while living in Australia?
Generally, New Zealanders on an SCV are not able to get an Australia student loan, known as a HELP loan, unless they have been living in Australia for 10 years. Read more below.
Regarding your NZ student loan, if you’re going overseas for 6 months or more, it won’t be interest-free. Below is all the information you need, including repayment amounts and a student loan repayment calculator.
Australian tax file number, tax rates, tax calculator, and finding a tax agent/accountant.
The Australian tax system works pretty similarly to New Zealand. The Australian Tax Office/Department is the equivalent of the IRD in New Zealand.
Your employer will pay the Australian Tax Department/Office tax on your behalf. If you are self-employed, you will need to file your own tax returns, so you will need to get an Australian tax accountant to help you file everything correctly.
Are you a New Zealander moving or living in Australia? Find out how to get the same benefits as an Australian.
New Zealand citizens with a valid New Zealand passport are able to move to Australia from New Zealand without having to apply for a visa. We apply and get granted a Special Category Visa 444 (SCV) simply by processing through border control. You must meet the character requirements, see below.
After you have been living in Australia for four years, you can apply to become an Australian citizen. We no longer need to apply for an Australian permanent visa (permanent resident) first.
Get your pet safely to Australia from New Zealand with trusted international pet movers.
I’ve researched your options for safely taking your beloved pet from New Zealand to Australia. Below is a step-by-step guide outlining the eligibility and requirements for your cat or dog to move to Australia with you.
Find out if and how you can move to Australia from New Zealand with your criminal convictions.
If you are a New Zealander with a criminal history, you will need to get written confirmation from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) before you travel to Australia. If you have been imprisoned for over a year, you will need to apply for an Australian Visa. Read more below.
Are you among the many New Zealanders considering moving to Australia? Find below a general guide to moving from New Zealand to Australia.
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 below ‘To Do List’ to know what you need to do before you leave and what you need to do once you’re there.
Do you need it, how much does it cost and where to compare policies…
If you are making plans to move to Australia, applying for health insurance is an important part of the process. Aside from that, it’s always a good idea to prepare for the unexpected.
In Australia, the public health system Medicare covers most Australian residents’ healthcare needs. However, Medicare does not cover everything, and you can choose to take out private health insurance to get a wider range of healthcare options and more comprehensive coverage.
Are New Zealand citizens eligible for Australia’s First Home Owners Grant (FHOG)?
The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) in Australia is designed to encourage and assist home ownership across the country, and for eligible borrowers, it’s a great start to life as a property owner.
The grant differs in each state and territory; in most places, it applies to new homes only.
The Australian government’s First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) and other benefits are available to permanent residents as if they were citizens. Because NZ citizens are considered to be permanent residents of Australia, they are eligible for the grant.
FHOG does not consider NZ property for eligibility; it considers only property you’ve owned in Australia.
Below is our Moving to Australia Checklist (Pre Move Planner). Let us help you organize and plan your move. You can download a printable version here, ready for you to print and put on your fridge – MTA-MovePlannerChecklist.pdf.
Moving to Australia and want to find a suitable job?
If you are a New Zealand citizen, you are legally able to work in Australia. You may need to apply for a work visa if you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen.
Hunting for jobs in Australia is very similar to looking for a job in New Zealand. The majority of jobs are advertised online, mostly by recruitment companies but also by individual employers.
Are you moving to Australia with little kids? In Australia, every state is slightly different when it comes to schooling.
Preschools, kindergartens, childcare centres, and early learning centres are all options for schooling/childcare before age 6.
The Australian Government provides funding to all states and territories to ensure all children have access to early childhood education, particularly in the year before they start school (4-6 years old). There might still be a fee, especially for kids under four.
As a New Zealand citizen moving to Australia, you will usually automatically receive a Special Category Visa (SCV) when you pass through Australian border control.
This visa gives New Zealanders many of the same rights as Australian citizens. However, you should be aware of a number of exclusions from government assistance.
As a New Zealander, you have a unique opportunity if you’re considering moving to Australia. Australia and New Zealand have a Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement that allows their citizens to visit, study, live and work in either NZ or Australia for as long or little as they want. However, there are exclusions as below.
Should I move to Australia? This is a question hundreds of thousands of people around the world ask themselves each year.
Moving to Australia is a big step, and choosing a city is not easy because Australia has many amazing places to live.
They all have unique opportunities, and the information below will help you choose which city best suits you and your family.
The eight states have individual characteristics and climates. Do you want to live in tropical Queensland, cooler Canberra, laid-back Darwin, or right in the hustle and bustle of Sydney?
Moving to Australia? There are definitely a few things you need to organise regarding money from NZ before you leave.
Whether you’re opening an Australian bank account, moving money into that account, having money ready to spend after you arrive, Australian tax obligations, or BPAY (I was like, what is BPAY?), below is all the information you will need to know about moving money to Australia from New Zealand and banking in Australia in general.
It’s time to make a plan for filing your Australian tax return, with the year ending 30 June!
New Zealand citizens are treated as residents for tax purposes once they complete a stay of six consecutive months (183 days) in Australia. Like in New Zealand with the IRD, you need to complete and file a tax return in Australia with the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
Income tax is applied to an individual’s taxable income and is paid on all forms of income. This includes wages from your job, profits from business and returns from investments (including rental properties in NZ). Income tax can also apply to assets, such as when a house or shares are sold in Australia or New Zealand.
The Australian tax year runs from 1 July to 30 June. When you lodge a tax return, you include how much money you’ve earned (income) and any expenses you can claim as a deduction.
Want to know how much your NZD will get you in AUD?
Our online currency converters are a quick and easy way to see live market exchange rates. Keep more of your hard earned cash by researching the market rates and planning your exchange when you will get the most return.
Check our currency converter now or view our live rate chart to see what the AUD’s been doing.
XE Money Transfer is a quick, easy, and secure way to transfer money around the globe. With competitive exchange rates, you can book international payments 24/7.
Every year, over 330,000 people and 2,000 businesses trust us to make global payments, send funds to families, pay international businesses, and buy foreign real estate. At XE, we’re not just passionate about saving you money, we’re proud of our exceptional service as we connect the world through currency exchange.
If the idea of being surrounded by surreal nature appeals to you, then Tasmania could be your ideal destination to settle.
Indeed, there is no dearth of people who actually came to Tasmania for a holiday but were charmed by its beauty to such an extent that they decided to move permanently to Australia! If you are one of those who are enamoured by Tasmania’s beauty and are contemplating moving to Australia, then you will find the information on this page very helpful. Read on…
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and Australia’s third largest city. It’s humid subtropical climate, has warmer weather than both Sydney and Melbourne.
It has a dynamic economy and attracts a large number of migrants. With its friendly locals and laidback lifestyle, it’s no surprise this city is fast becoming Australia’s top spot to live (watch out, Melbourne).
Darwin is known as the most laid-back city in Australia.
From the sparkling harbour and WWII history to the city’s Asian-influenced food and tropical outdoor lifestyle, Darwin is an outdoor adventures’ paradise.
More than 1500 people move to Western Australia every week, thanks to the increasing global investment in the state and the boost in the demand for skilled professionals in the recent years!
If you are moving to Western Australia from overseas or from within the continent, you must know the following facts about this incredible state, especially as this information will make your move and visit easier and hassle-free. Read on…
Did you find this information helpful? You can help us without any cost to you…
It takes a lot of time to maintain and keep our site up to date. You can help us do that by simply utilizing one of our fantastic partners services.
We personally use/used all our partners services and only recommend the best Australia has to offer. In return for our referrals our partners give us a small commission, which comes out of their pocket, not yours… Win Win!
We have tried to secure a partner for all the areas we provide information on, so you can easily find the best service providers Australia has to offer.
How can you help?
Recommend your friends and family to our site – movingtoaustralia.co.nz.
Get a quote to move your household items from Ausmove. Ausmove is the only NZ specialist mover to Australia. Check them out – Ausmove.co.nz.
Open an Australian bank account with Commonwealth. It is easier to open an account while in NZ because you don’t need the paperwork you do when you get to Australia. Apply online for an Australian bank account now!
Connect your utilities through On The Move. They get you all the best deals for all the utilities you need to connect, in one simple call, without 3 months history paperwork and at no cost to you. Register your interest now!
Thanks for taking the time to read the above.
I hope we can help you and you can help us in return.
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!
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.