In 2023, over 15,000 Kiwis made the trans-Tasman transition, and with proper planning, you can too.
Make your family’s move from New Zealand to Australia as smooth as possible with the help of our Allied moving experts. There is a lot to consider when relocating internationally with family, and we want to help relieve some of that burden. With so much to gain from moving to Australia, from the better job market to the diverse lifestyles. Here, we have compiled some of the key information you need to know to help you prepare everyone in your family for the move, and for life in the land down under.
Before You Leave
Visas
Luckily for Kiwis, most New Zealand citizens can move to, study, and work in Australia with a Special Category Visa. As this is technically a temporary visa, you won’t have all the same rights and benefits as an Australian citizen or permanent resident (PR), but you will have the opportunity to apply for PR after a set time period has elapsed. This visa, subclass 444, is granted upon entry, so you don’t need to prepare anything in advance other than your passports.
Find Temporary Housing
We recommend that you find temporary housing for when you first arrive in Aus so that your family has a place to call home, even if only for a short time. This will give you the opportunity to shop around for a more permanent residence without committing to a property before you get a chance to view it. While you are staying in your temporary accommodation, you can explore different areas of your new location, and find where has everything you need, from schools and clubs to public transport connections. Organise an Airbnb, short-term rental, or sublet before you leave New Zealand, so that when you move from NZ to Aus, you have a place locked in. For more tips, read our guide on how to rent a house when you’re moving from New Zealand to Australia.
Schooling
When moving with children, you’ll need to give some thought to the different schooling options available to you when you land in Australia. To enrol your little ones, all you need to do is verify their NZ citizenship by providing a passport, along with proof of your kid’s visa subclass 444. This is in addition to the usual enrolment steps, like providing medical information and immunisation statements, proof of age, etc.
There are some small variations between systems depending on the state, as each Australian state manages its own education system. Take some time to look into the specifics relating to your destination.
For the most part, schooling is organised similarly in Aus to NZ, with both free government schools, as well as private schools. If you opt to enrol your kids in a free government school, you may still be required to pay voluntary contributions, as well as cover uniform costs.
Packing Up
A lot of the time, when we think about moving, what we’re really envisioning is the actual moving process. This goes from packing your home into boxes, loading it up for transport, awaiting its arrival at your new home, and finally, unpacking and settling in. At Allied, our expert movers can handle all of the heavy lifting at this stage, so you can focus on preparing your family for the move from New Zealand to Australia. Our team offers a full range of packing services, as well as storage for items that you haven’t quite decided what to do with yet.
The Paperwork
Along with preparing the necessary documentation when moving from NZ to Australia as well as working through your moving to Australia checklist, there are a few things to take care of after your arrival in Australia.
Tax File Number
There are a few things that you can get out of the way as soon as you touch down in Australia. Applying for your Tax File Number (TFN) is one of these. While you can technically begin working without it, you will be taxed at a higher rate until you can provide your employer with your TFN.
Medicare
As a Special Category Visa holder, you will be eligible to apply for Medicare. This can be done either by filling out a form, or through your myGov account. For this, you’ll need to provide proof that you plan to live in Australia for at least 6 months, or have applied for PR. Once you have applied for this, you can get started on finding a family GP who you and your kids will be comfortable with for however long you stay.
Drivers Licence
When you first move from NZ to Aus with your family, you’ll be able to drive with your New Zealand drivers licence in most states for a maximum of 3 months. Then, you’ll need to arrange an appointment with the relevant authority to get an Australian licence.
You can transport your car from NZ to Aus, or if you choose to buy a new one in Australia, you may also be eligible to receive a car loan.
Preparing to Move with Children
The checklists, packing, and paperwork may seem like the most important parts of the move, but oftentimes, especially when moving with family, it’s getting everyone settled in that really makes a difference. Your children are used to their life and routine in New Zealand, so when you relocate to Australia, there may be a few hurdles to overcome as they adjust. Luckily, there are some easy ways to get ahead of this before your flight even takes off.
Get Everyone Involved
For older children and teenagers, involvement in the process can often be the key to success. Keep them in the loop on plans and timelines, and where possible, give them the opportunity to have input, or ask questions and air their concerns.
Little ones can be talked through the whole process at an age-appropriate level. You can even point out any moving vans that you see on the roads, helping to familiarise them before the van pulls up outside your house.
When it’s time to get packing, you can also let your children pack their own rooms, giving them a job to help them feel involved. This can take a little longer than usual, and may not be done exactly how you’d like it to be, especially with younger children, but the benefits far outweigh the pitfalls.
In-Flight Entertainment
Depending on where in New Zealand you jet off from, and where in Australia you land, your flight could be anywhere from a couple of hours to half a day. Even if your children are usually good flyers, there can be a lot of big emotions on moving day, so be prepared for a slightly bumpier ride. Bring snacks on board to keep everyone happy, as well as toys and games that small kids can play in their seats. Make sure that iPads and other electronics are fully charged, and can be put into flight-mode for use during the journey.
Friendships
If your kids aren’t on any social media platforms themselves, you could also make arrangements with their friends' parents to keep the kids in touch through messaging, or whatever means works for your family. This way, moving from NZ doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to friendships.
Making friends can be tricky for some children, so be sure to give your kids plenty of opportunities to socialise with other children their age. Whether this is through neighbourhood activities, after school clubs, extracurricular activities, or just spending time in the park or playground, this will no doubt help them to settle in more smoothly.
When the time comes for you and your family to make the move from New Zealand to Australia, contact our experienced Allied movers who can help to lighten the load.