If you are planning on moving to Australia from New Zealand please keep an eye on the travel restrictions between NZ and Australia. Travel status can change at any time.
Important information for travel to Australia
Fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible visa holders can travel to and from Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption.
Immediate family members of Australian citizens, permanent residents or New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia who do not hold an eligible visa must provide proof of relationship before travel by submitting an exemption request through the Travel Exemption Portal.
All other temporary visa holders seeking to travel to Australia must apply for a travel exemption.
Source: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions.Travel to New Zealand
New Zealand’s phased border reopening will be delayed to the end of February 2022. Until then, travellers from Australia will need to book a place in managed isolation (MIQ) to travel to New Zealand.
These changes will help keep Omicron out of our community. By delaying our border opening to the end of February, more New Zealanders will become eligible for a booster dose, and our tamariki (children) aged 5 to 11 years old will have started to get vaccinated.
We will update this page when more information is available.
Source: https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/international-travel-and-transit/quarantine-free-travel/travel-with-australia/
Information in this post:
With the constantly changing states of both the New Zealand and Australia borders you need to make sure you are eligible to travel before you book everything in.
Here are the links to check if you are wanting to travel between Australia and New Zealand:
One-way quarantine-free travel is available to New Zealand passport holders and eligible travellers from New Zealand travelling to participating Australian states and territories.
To be eligible, you must meet the requirements for Travelling from New Zealand to Australia quarantine-free.
If you meet the eligibility requirements you do not need to apply for a travel exemption.
You must meet all other entry requirements for Australia, including immigration, customs and biosecurity clearance.
Quarantine arrangements are managed by individual states and territories. All travellers are advised to check the arrangements in both their place of arrival and final destination before they travel.
To find out about quarantine arrangements check State and Territory Information for travellers.
Further travel advice is available at Smartraveller.
For more information, see the Australian Government’s Department of Health: Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for international travellers
Note: Any change in the COVID-19 situation in Australia and New Zealand could lead to pausing or suspending quarantine-free travel arrangements without notice. You are responsible for managing any disruption to your travel plans, including if your return to Australia is delayed.
You can participate in quarantine-free travel from New Zealand to Australia if you meet the eligibility requirements.
To be eligible, you must:
You must also meet the health, immigration and other standard border clearance requirements in each country.
States and territories are responsible for determining and managing quarantine arrangements. Before you travel, check quarantine arrangements with the relevant state or territory.
You do not need to be a New Zealand citizen to travel to Australia from New Zealand quarantine-free if you meet the above criteria, but you will need a valid visa to enter Australia. New Zealand citizens do not need to apply for a visa before coming to Australia. If eligible, they will be granted a Special Category visa (subclass 444) (SCV) on arrival.
Before you travel to Australia, you should complete the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) at least 72 hours before departure. The ATD collects your contact details in Australia, flight details, quarantine requirements and your health status.
This information helps the Australian Government determine your quarantine arrangements (if required) and allows the relevant health departments to contact you if someone you travelled with tests positive for COVID-19.
Penalties will apply for giving false and misleading information, including potential criminal prosecution for providing false or misleading information. This is set out in s137.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Travel exemption requirements
You will only need to apply for a travel exemption before you travel to Australia if:
A list of New Zealand’s COVID-19 outbreak locations are available at Ministry of Health NZ. If you have been to any of these locations during the times specified, you will need to identify this on your Australia Travel Declaration (ATD).
If you arrive in Australia on a quarantine-free flight, you may be guided through a separate pathway for quarantine-free travellers. These arrangements are determined by the state/territory in which you arrive.
For further information for travellers arriving on quarantine-free flights is available at Department of Health.
Source: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/new-zealand.
Source: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/pacific/new-zealand.
You can see if you are eligible to enter Australia on the Australia Government Department of Home Affairs website: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/coming-australia.
International travel has changed. There are extra steps to take before you fly to your destination and before your return journey. You can get prepared and find the updated requirements for your trip here: https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/covid19-international-travel.
Air New Zealand has created a very useful tool for checking the travel requirements for your destination, transit points and return journey. Please check the travel regulations carefully before you travel to understand the visa, entry, testing and quarantine requirements for each person you are booking to fly.
The information reflects current requirements which may change at short notice and therefore the information contained is guidance only. You should independently check all relevant travel, health and entry requirements before you travel.
Visit their Travel Alerts page for travel updates and news about travel restrictions.
I completed the form using NZ as my depart point, Australia as my destination, nationality as NZ and residency as NZ and this is the information supplied:
Border Restrictions
Passengers are not allowed to enter.
Soruce: https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/covid19-international-travel.
The biggest vaccination campaign in history is well under way. Delivering billions of doses is one of the greatest logistical challenges ever undertaken.
Last updated 16 January 2022 (https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/covid-19-data-and-statistics/)
3,988,847 First dose administered | 3,895,725 Second dose administered | 35,481 Third dose administered |
95% Eligible population with 1 dose | 93% Eligible population with 2 doses | 742,123 Booster doses administered |
Last updated 14 January 2022 (https://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2021/coronavirus/vaccine-tracker/)
20,891,525 First dose administered | 20,006,998 Second dose administered | 4,864,238 Third dose administered as booster |
94% Eligible population with 1 dose |
One of the main problems facing New Zealanders traveling to Australia is getting hold of a RAT (Rapid Antigen Tests), so they can complete their 24 hour Covid-19 test and get out of quarantine. However, their have been major problems getting a hold of one.
Therefore I highly recommend you plan for this before you leave NZ and get it delivered to your quarantine location.
A new website is helping desperate people get their hands on rapid antigen tests (RATs) as demand for the DIY kits soars during the Omicron surge.
The website ‘Find a RAT’ launched on Monday the 3rd January and acts as a testing kit locator, helping people across the country find testing kits in their area. You can purchase a RAT online through Finder.com.au.
I will continue to search Australia and New Zealand news websites and keep the information on this page up to date.
As soon as there are an major announcements on when the Trans-Tasman Bubble will happen I will email the newsletter database, so make sure you subscribe to our monthly newsletter (right side or bottom of screen).
Hi… I’m JJ Smith.
I’m the creator and editor of Moving to Australia and have been for 10 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!
© 2008 - 2020 Copyright Cybersmith Ltd. All content is copyright.
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Jason
October 20, 2021 at 11:55 amHey there!
I’ve come across your website while reading a recent Stuff article – just thought I’d get in touch as I am wondering if you have any up-to-date info re: moving to Aus from NZ presently? Are they still taking kiwis? I know we will still have to do/pay for the 2 week hotel miq. But if we are okay with that – is it still possible to move?
I have applied and interviewed for a job based in Sydney – and I’m in Auckland. So just wanting to check I could actually get into Sydney if I’m successful.
Any response/help very greatly appreciated 🙂
Cheers
Jason
JJ Smith
October 20, 2021 at 2:14 pmHi Jason,
Yes you can travel to Sydney if you get the job. However, because you are in Auckland you will have to quarantine:
Arriving into NSW
All travellers arriving from New Zealand are required to complete an Australian Traveller Declaration form (ADT) providing their name and contact details.
Quarantine requirements
Provided there are no risks and there are no New Zealand hotspots, travellers from New Zealand do not need to quarantine if:
– They and people on their flight have only been in Australia or New Zealand in the 14 days prior to arrival
– They do not have COVID-19 symptoms
– They have completed the ATD
– They have not been to a New Zealand COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days
New Zealand COVID-19 hotspots are declared by the NSW Chief Health Officer and published on the NSW Health website as a Notice and a Determination. If a person arriving into NSW has been to a New Zealand COVID-19 hotspot, they must either immediately leave Australia or go into quarantine.
Information regarding the rules about travelling into NSW from Zealand is available on the NSW Government website.
All persons on a flight will need to quarantine if one person on board has been to a country other than Australia or New Zealand in the previous 14 days. Should there have been a traveller on the flight who has been in the Cook Islands in the previous 14 days, this requirement is waived. In this case, however, the person(s) who has been to the Cook Islands in the previous 14 days is required to quarantine.
If you arrive in NSW form overseas and are instructed to quarantine in a hotel, you will be charged a fixed fee.
Soruce: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/travellers-nz.aspx.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with the job.
Deon
August 5, 2021 at 11:37 pmHi there,
My fiancé and I have been discussing moving to Australia for around 2 years, COVID made us abandon the thoughts temporarily, I’m now starting to do a little research hence finding your site.
I’m a signwriter and play baseball and my fiancé is a teacher and plays softball we both love the Gold Coast area particularly around Robina/surfers/Burleigh heads is where we have been looking at houses and such. A question we had is when we swap KiwiSaver to the Australian super do we have the ability to use that for a house deposit?
Likelyhood would be planning a move over the next 12-24 months, is there a particular way you recommend planning?
Regards,
Deon
JJ Smith
August 15, 2021 at 11:40 pmHi Deon,
Thanks for your comment. Lovely area you’re looking at moving to.
You are able to use your KiwiSaver as a deposit for a home in Australia. You must have been in KiwiSaver for at least 3 years before you withdraw funds for your first home. You must leave $1,000 in your account. You will need to provide all of the necessary documents (for example, sale and purchase agreement) and ensure your solicitor is New Zealand licensed. You need to get in touch with your KiwiSaver provider as early as possible to discuss their requirements.
You can withdraw from your KiwiSaver: your contributions, your employer’s contributions, the government contribution, interest you have earned and fee subsidies (if you got these). Funds transferred from an Australian Complying Superannuation scheme cannot be withdrawn.
Unfortunately I cannot give you any further advice regarding using your Kiwisaver as a deposit on a house in Australia.
Here is a link to my post Buying a house in Australia: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/buying-a-house-in-australia/.
Here is my moving to Australia process post: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/moving-to-australia-process/.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Chloe
July 30, 2021 at 2:39 amhi there,
i have checked the Australian government site but it hasnt been updated recently, i dont suppose you know if new Zealanders are still allowed to enter perth without quarantine in the current conditions. we were hoping to book our tickets this week for late September as we are planning on moving to perth.
kind regards
chloe
JJ Smith
July 30, 2021 at 2:40 amHi Chloe,
Thank you for your comment.
New Zealand is part of WA’s controlled border arrangement (https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/covid-communications/covid-19-coronavirus-controlled-border). Visit the Travelling to WA from New Zealand page for information about how this works (info is from 19 April): https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/covid-communications/covid-19-coronavirus-travelling-western-australia-new-zealand.
When travelling into WA, ensure you have a face mask, as they are mandatory on aircraft and at airports in WA unless you are under 12 or approved.
You must complete a mandatory G2G PASS registration and declaration prior to travel. You need to scan your G2G PASS to exit Perth Airport, following a health screening: https://www.g2gpass.com.au/apply.
Source: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-travel-wa#fromos (updated 20 July 2021)
The below should fill in any gaps from the above: travelling to Australia advise from Air New Zealand – https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/covid19-international-travel.
Therefore it looks like you can book and travel to Perth Australia quarantine free. However, I advise you call Air NZ to book, as they will be able to confirm the above. You can currently buy flights to Perth on Webjet, but I still recommend calling Air NZ.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Thanks
Vagisha
October 14, 2020 at 9:33 amHi,
I have been planning to move to Australia, Queensland, Brisbane as my whole family lives there, and i am finishing my studies in NewZealand and planning to move to Brisbane by the end of year. I am asking related to Trans-Tasman Bubble. Do we need to quarantine at a facility or self quarantine at home for 14 days related to Queensland border. If so what is documentation need before flying out from New Zealand?
Carmen
September 8, 2020 at 1:53 amHi I would like to move to Perth, and am in contact with someone who is keen to employ me from summer (so that’s the end of the year). I will basically just sell up what I have here and move (no furniture, etc.). How do I go about moving to Australia for a new job if the covid travel restrictions are still active?
JJ Smith
October 13, 2020 at 11:24 pmHi Carmen,
Thank you for your comment and sorry for the delay in replying.
Unfortunately Western Australia has a ‘hard border’ restriction in place, which will not lift it until phase 6 of the COVID-19 WA roadmap, they are currently at phase 4: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-wa-roadmap.
A tentative date for the removal of WA’s hard border was planned to be included as part of Phase 6, however, this was put on hold due to the rapidly evolving situation in Victoria.
When an indicative date is set in the future, it will be contingent on locally acquired infection rates in the eastern states.
The WA hard border will only be removed when the WA Chief Health Officer is confident the spread of infection is controlled in the eastern states.
The best place to find out when WA’s borders will reopen is the above site.
I will also be keeping my newsletter subscribers up to date with any major changes in travel between NZ and Australia.
Sorry I could not be of more help.
Shawna
June 15, 2020 at 10:43 pmHi there
I wanted your assistance with information regarding moving from Auckland to Sydney, hopefully by end of July, with a dog (whippet staffy cross) and probably about a half container worth of belongings.
What am I able to do during this Covid time?
Many thanks
I’m very stupid when it comes to this so any help would be great
I have accomodation lined up already
Shawna
JJ Smith
June 17, 2020 at 1:08 amHi Shawna,
Thank you for your comment.
Currently Australia’s borders are closed. Only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia.
You can see if you are eligible to enter Australia on the Australia Government Department of Home Affairs website: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/coming-australia.
If you are eligible you may need to undergo enhanced health screening on arrival in Australia and then all arrivals will be quarantined for 14 days and state and territory travel restrictions may also apply.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for international travellers: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-international-travellers.
Hope the above helps. Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Karen
June 3, 2020 at 9:24 amAny news on when we might see the trans tasman bubble happen?
JJ Smith
June 3, 2020 at 9:25 pmHi Karen,
Thanks for your comment.
I’ve heard September from one source and July from another. We won’t know until the Government makes the announcement.
As soon as it is confirmed I will email the newsletter database.
Thanks
John
May 22, 2020 at 5:59 pmWe sold our home in Auckland and were cashed up ready to go on 26th April 2020…then COVID stopped everything. We are ready to fly when trans Tasman bubble allows flights to Queensland.
Question… can you throw any light on the recent RBA meeting / announcement re the $50,000 offer to new immigrants to buy / build new homes, to assist the building industry get going again.
JJ Smith
May 25, 2020 at 2:22 amHi John,
Thank you for your email.
Unfortunately I have heard from a few people in the same boat as you. Let’s hope the Trans-Tasman bubble opens sooner than later.
I’ve read up on the proposed ‘New home boost’, $50k to home builders. At this stage is still under discussion – https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/plan-to-give-new-homebuyers-50000-to-kickstart-economy/news-story/d310cada98c23f314f9b44e5a7391ea3.
However, you would still be able to apply for a First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) if you brought a new home – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/are-new-zealand-citizens-eligible-for-australias-first-home-owners-grant/.
Make sure you register with either XE or OFX to transfer your money to Australia, as they will save hundreds to thousands with rates that the banks will never match – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/foreign-exchange-money-transfer/.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move, when you can move.
Marcel
May 22, 2020 at 2:50 amHow can this happens so quickly when some states like WA and SA are still not opening their interstate borders?
JJ Smith
May 22, 2020 at 3:52 amHi Marcel,
Thanks for your comment.
We still don’t know when the Trans-Tasman bubble will happen. It’s more the that they are getting ready for it.
Thanks
Marcel
May 25, 2020 at 12:59 amHi JJ,
Thanks for your quick response. I am hoping for this T-T bubble to happen soonest and get on the plane : – )
Will keep looking out for the latest update.
Stay safe and well,
Marcel