Money – What You Need to Know by JJ Smith 3 March 2026 written by JJ Smith 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. Continue Reading
Documentation needed when moving to Australia by JJ Smith 11 April 2025 written by JJ Smith Don’t get caught out arriving in Australia without the documentation/paperwork you need! It will cause you a whole lot of stress, time, and worry! Australia can be really competitive when it comes to jobs, apartments, and rentals. You might end up in a position where everyone wants the apartment you want, and you need to stand out (references). You will need to prove your identity when applying for a property rental, driver’s licence, a white card or Medicare card, or setting up a mobile or superannuation account. Continue Reading
Open an Australian Bank Account by JJ Smith 3 March 2026 written by JJ Smith Moving to Australia? Start your new life today with Australia’s leading bank. Say hello to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. We’d like to introduce you to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, which is known to Aussies as CommBank. Meet the bank more new arrivals choose. Continue Reading
Foreign Exchange/Money Transfer by JJ Smith 6 November 2024 written by JJ Smith Transferring money to Australia from New Zealand is something we all do when moving there, so why not make sure you get the best exchange rate on your money transfer? Money transfer/foreign exchange is a big deal, and it’s important to use a trusted foreign exchange company to ensure you get a great exchange rate without a huge margin and little to no fees. From my research, online money transfer companies offer the best rates, with a lower margin compared to banks and no fees. I’ve learnt a thing or two from my mistakes, so do the research now, register with XE and save yourself some cash! Continue Reading
$19,000 exchange fee shocks family by JJ Smith 14 January 2025 written by JJ Smith A Kiwi dad is stunned and struggling to sleep over what he describes as the “outrageous” exchange rates imposed by a major bank for transferring money to Australia. The NZ Herald published an article after speaking with Carl Halvorsen, who revealed that ANZ Australia charged his family a staggering $19,600 above the official wholesale exchange rates during a transfer of NZ$780,000 to his daughter in Perth. When the funds arrived in his daughter’s account, only A$687,012 was deposited—far less than the nearly A$700,000 (NZ$774,000) they had anticipated. Continue Reading
Need to transfer money for Christmas? by JJ Smith 14 November 2025 written by JJ Smith Planning to send money overseas for Christmas or heading back to NZ for the holidays? Before going straight to your bank, take a moment to compare; you might be surprised at how much you can save with XE. If you’re lucky enough to be returning to NZ for a family Christmas, enjoy! I love Christmas with my family. However, we all know that Christmas is an expensive time of year, so I just wanted to check in and make sure none of you are using your bank to transfer money between NZ and Australia. I’ve been using XE for over 15 years, and you’d be surprised how much you save with every transfer. That extra money could go toward your flights, because wow, they are pricey this time of year. Continue Reading
Australian Tax by JJ Smith 15 October 2025 written by JJ Smith Australian tax file number, tax rates, tax calculator, and finding a tax agent/accountant. The Australian tax system works pretty similarly to New Zealand’s. The Australian Tax Office/Department (ATO) 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. And the first thing you should do when you arrive in Australia is apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)! Continue Reading
Getting Your Tax File Number (TFN) by JJ Smith 15 October 2025 written by JJ Smith If you’re moving to Australia from New Zealand, one of the most important tasks to tick off once you arrive is getting your Tax File Number (TFN). This should be the first thing you do when you arrive in Australia! Your TFN is your unique number in Australia’s tax and superannuation system. You’ll need it for working, lodging tax returns, and even earning interest from your bank account. It’s free to apply, and once you have one, it’s yours for life, even if you change jobs, move interstate, or leave and return to Australia years later. Here’s everything you need to know about applying for your TFN as a Kiwi, including the step-by-step process and insider tips. Continue Reading
Buying a house in Australia by JJ Smith 4 September 2025 written by JJ Smith Are you a New Zealander wanting to buy a house in Australia? Yes, you can! If you’re an NZ citizen buying property in Australia, everything works the same as if you were an Australian citizen buying property in Australia. You may even be eligible for the first homeowner’s grant. However, if you are not an NZ citizen, depending on your visa and residence status, there are some restrictions for foreigners wanting to buy property in Australia. Find below some advice on buying your dream home in Australia and some smart tips to avoid paying more than you need in fees and charges. Continue Reading
Australian Mortgage by JJ Smith 4 September 2025 written by JJ Smith Looking to secure a mortgage for your new home in Australia? UNO Australia’s Online Mortgage Broker is here to guide you As a New Zealand citizen, securing a mortgage in Australia can be particularly challenging, especially for newly arrived residents. That’s why it’s crucial to work with someone you can trust to find you the best mortgage for your individual circumstances. 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. Continue Reading
KiwiSaver for your Home Deposit by JJ Smith 8 August 2025 written by JJ Smith Use your KiwiSaver towards your home deposit for your first Australian home with First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)! The Australia Government First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) – lets you withdraw some of your KiwiSaver to help buy your first Australian home. Yes, you read right… There is quite a history with this, but once again New Zealanders moving to Australia can transfer their KiwiSaver to Australia and use some of it as a deposit for their first home. You must meet the criteria the ATO set and ensure you set up the right account with the right super fund provider. Continue Reading
How to secure a car loan as a new arrival to Australia by JJ Smith 28 May 2024 written by JJ Smith Let’s face it: life is easier with a car… Moving across the ditch permanently? Though Australia’s capital cities are pretty well covered with public transport, you really need a set of wheels to get around effectively. Doing the weekly grocery shop and catching trains and buses isn’t any fun! That and the cost of taxis or Uber can add up pretty quickly. Even though you can hit the ground running when it comes to work in Australia, it’s not the same with loans and finance. Find below the process of car ownership in Australia from whoa to go. That means a smooth experience with no hassles, and you get to explore the land down under quicker than you can say g’day, mate! Continue Reading
Australian Age Pension for New Zealanders (2026 Guide) by JJ Smith 28 March 2026 written by JJ Smith Can New Zealanders get the Australian Age Pension? Yes — New Zealanders living in Australia may be eligible for the Australian Age Pension, but the rules are slightly different from the NZ pension and those for Australian citizens. Eligibility depends on: your age how long you have lived in Australia and/or New Zealand your income your assets Australia and New Zealand have a social security agreement, which allows periods of residence in both countries to be counted when assessing eligibility. Because of this agreement, many New Zealanders who move to Australia later in life can qualify for an Australian pension, even if they haven’t lived in Australia for their entire working life. However, there are a few important rules and deadlines, especially if you are already receiving NZ Superannuation when you move. Continue Reading
XE Money Transfer by JJ Smith 21 November 2024 written by JJ Smith 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. XE is the world’s most trusted FX company! Register free here and find out how much money XE can save/make you! Continue Reading
Australian Super by JJ Smith 21 November 2024 written by JJ Smith Australia Super is a retirement savings account available to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens. It is a mandatory contribution that is made by employers on behalf of their employees, and it is designed to help individuals save for their retirement. Continue Reading
Single parent moving to Australia from New Zealand by JJ Smith 28 May 2024 written by JJ Smith If you are a single parent wanting to move to Australia and are unsure of your options, the below will hopefully help. If you are wondering what government support you can receive when you arrive in Australia as a single parent, you should be eligible for these payments: Family Tax Benefit, Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement, Single Income Family Supplement, Child Care Subsidy, Double Orphan Pension and Health Care Card. Continue Reading
Delay in processing pension applications by JJ Smith 30 May 2024 written by JJ Smith Australian Age Pension applications taking months to be processed, reports claim. Multiple New Zealanders who have moved to Australia have advised me that there is a backlog of pension applications. If you pass the income and asset tests, it’s important to apply as soon as you arrive. You can lodge an Age Pension application up to 13 weeks before you reach eligibility age (between 66.5 and 67). A claim for the age pension is meant to have a “timeliness standard” of 49 days, but in December last year, the average processing time was 91 days, up from 61 in August and 35 days in the 2021-22 financial year. Your application will be backdated to the date of your application. However, the NZ pension is way more generous and has not been income- and asset-tested. Therefore if you are not eligible for the full Australian Age Pension, you are best to wait until you have received your NZ pension for 26 weeks and then apply for the Australian Age Pension. Continue Reading
Australia Buyers Agents by JJ Smith 28 May 2024 written by JJ Smith What is a buyer’s agent, and why should you consider using one? In Australia, a lot of home purchases use a buyer agent (also known as a buyer’s advocate) to help them through the purchasing process. If you are planning on purchasing from New Zealand, you will probably need one. Whether you’re a time-poor buyer or unfamiliar with the local market, a professional buyer’s agent will help make your property journey smooth and stress-free. Continue Reading
Australia’s First Home Owners Grant? by JJ Smith 29 May 2024 written by JJ Smith 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. Continue Reading
Filing your Australia Tax Return by JJ Smith 7 March 2025 written by JJ Smith 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. Continue Reading
Currency Converter – NZD to AUD by JJ Smith 14 September 2023 written by JJ Smith 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. Continue Reading
