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Government services for Australians in New Zealand
Find out which government services you may be eligible for when you move to New Zealand.
Superannuation
The social security agreement between Australia and New Zealand allows former residents of one country access to certain benefits and pensions under the other country's social security system.
It allows you to use your periods of Australian working age residence between the age of 20 and the qualifying age for the Australian Age Pension to meet the residence criteria for getting New Zealand Superannuation. Most people need to be aged 67 to use time spent living in Australia to meet the residence criteria.
Overseas pensions - Work and Income
Social security agreement with Australia - Work and Income
Australian pensions in New Zealand - Work and Income
KiwiSaver
KiwiSaver is a voluntary, work-based savings initiative to help with long-term saving for retirement. It's designed to be hassle-free so it's easy to maintain a regular savings pattern. Contributions paid to your KiwiSaver are made up of Government, employer and your own contributions.
Australian citizens and permanent residents are usually eligible for KiwiSaver if they normally live in New Zealand. When you start a new job, if you're not already a member and are eligible, your employer will automatically enrol you in KiwiSaver. It is possible to transfer savings from an approved Australian retirement savings scheme to some KiwiSaver schemes in New Zealand. This varies between schemes, so it is best to check with the provider before you sign up.
Healthcare
There are two different eligibility classes for Australians.
Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents who have migrated to New Zealand are eligible for the full range of publicly funded health care, provided they have lived or can demonstrate an intention to stay, in New Zealand for at least two years continually. New Zealand doesn’t have a national Medicare system like Australia. Instead, once you are living in New Zealand, you should register with the local Primary Health Organisation (PHO) to receive subsidised healthcare.
Australian residents who are not intending to stay for two years or longer are only eligible for immediately necessary hospital and maternity services and pharmaceuticals. They’ll need to pay the full cost of primary health care consultations (e.g. with a local doctor or nurse), often called the ‘casual’ rate. This is what New Zealanders pay if they choose not to enrol.
Eligibility for public health care | Ministry of Health
Australian access to public health services
Accidents
Most of the costs of injuries from accidents are covered by New Zealand’s unique personal accident compensation scheme which is run by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).
ACC provides no-fault insurance cover to everyone in New Zealand for injuries resulting from accidents - everything from car crashes to injuries at work, slips, trips and falls at home or breaking your arm skiing, even if the person who is injured caused the accident.
ACC helps cover medical and treatment fees and rehabilitation costs such as physiotherapy or residential care, although there are part-charges for some treatments. They will also make a payment to families in the case of accidental death, even if the family live outside of New Zealand.
You pay for your ACC cover through a levy on your income and also charges for running your motorcar.
Under New Zealand’s ACC system, you don’t have the right to sue anyone for injuries from an accident.
ACC’s website has more information about what is and isn’t covered, and what happens if you injure yourself.
Education
Australian citizens and permanent residents are classified as domestic students in New Zealand and do not require student visas.
As Australians are classified as domestic students, they pay local fees for tertiary education. To be eligible for a Student Loans or the Student Allowance however, they need to have lived in New Zealand for at least three years.
Housing and land ownership
An Australian who is ordinarily resident in New Zealand may rent or purchase land and property under the same conditions as New Zealanders. No restrictions apply to land value or size.
An Australian who is not actually residing in New Zealand may be classed as an “overseas person" and must obtain consent under New Zealand’s Overseas Investment Regulations to acquire or take control of significant assets in New Zealand.
Income tax
Australian citizens and permanent residents visiting and living in New Zealand are liable for New Zealand income tax on all income derived from New Zealand.
New Zealand tax rates and codes | IRD
Getting a tax number
You should apply for an IR number through Inland Revenue Department (IRD) when you arrive in New Zealand, particularly if you will be working here. You can find the form on the IRD website.
If you do not have an IRD number, tax will be deducted at a no-declaration rate, which is higher than the normal deduction rate.
Working for families
If your children are Australian citizens or permanent residents, you may be eligible for Working for Families Tax Credits when you arrive in New Zealand.
Working for Families Tax Credits are an entitlement for families with dependent children aged 18 or younger. It includes four different types of payments (tax credits).
The types of payment and the amounts you can get depend on:
- how many dependent children you care for
- your total family income
- where your family income comes from
- the age of the children in your care, and
- any children you share care for.
Finding out if you are eligible | IRD
Voting
Legally, in New Zealand you must be enrolled on the electoral roll. You must enrol if you:
- are 18 years or older, and
- have lived in New Zealand for more than one year continuously at some time in your life, and
- are a New Zealand citizen, or
- are permanently residing in New Zealand.
Only those who are enrolled can vote, take part in a referendum, or sign a referendum petition.
Enrolling for the first time | Elections
Citizenship options
A minimum of five years residence in New Zealand is required and certain criteria must be met, including satisfactory character and language references, to become a New Zealand citizen by grant.
About Citizenship in New Zealand | DIA