Make your shift from New Zealand to Australia as straightforward as possible with this practical checklist: things to do before and after arriving in Australia.
Moving from New Zealand to Australia and need a checklist of small and big life-admin tasks you should think about? We’ve compiled our best practical tips to help guide you.
From finances to healthcare, these are the things you can do to help make leaving New Zealand and setting up life in Australia as easy as possible.
Before you arrive
Tie up any loose ends
Note down all the utilities and monthly bills or ongoing subscriptions you pay and which ones you’ll need to cancel or update. These include things like:
- Utilities and monthly subscriptions: cancel what you’ll no longer need e.g. internet, phone plan, electricity and gym membership.
- Invoices: settle any outstanding invoices.
- Library loans: return library books and any other borrowed items.
- Doctor and dentist: requesting your records from your doctor, dentist and any other relevant medical specialists.
- Mail: redirect your mail to your new address.
- Personal belongings: pack and send your personal belongings that you can’t take on the plane with you.
Sorting out your money
Cash: It’s worth changing some of your New Zealand dollars into Australian dollars for when you arrive.
Banking: You can open an Australian bank account before you arrive. Most banks will typically require you to come into a branch once you arrive with your passport or other ID.
Your important documents
Passport: Check your passport is valid, don’t get caught out by the expiry date! Make sure to also save or print your international COVID-19 Vaccination certificate, or medical exemption.
If you’re a New Zealand citizen you can get a Special Category visa (SCV) on arrival in Australia. If you’re not a New Zealand citizen, check out Australia’s visa finder for your options.
Check the COVID-19 requirements
It’s important you check the latest information on the COVID-19 requirements before you travel.
Australian Government Department of Health
You’ll also have to check the state and territory requirements for international travellers. You can find these here.
Complete a Digital Passenger Declaration within 72 hours of your flight
The Australian Government requires that everyone arriving into Australia must complete a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD). This needs to be done within 72 hours of your flight departure time. You can complete this online
After you arrive
Finding a house to rent or room in a share house
There’s a few main websites which can help with finding long-term accommodation. If you’re wanting your own rental property realestate.com.au or domain.com.au are two of the biggest rental listing sites. If you’re wanting a room in a share house or flat try flatmates.com.au or flatmatefinders.com.au. Facebook Marketplace and local Facebook groups for rentals and accommodation can also be a good way to find listing.
Getting an Australian driver licence
When you arrive in Australia, you can drive using your New Zealand driver licence for up to three months. Before the three months are up, you’ll need to convert your licence to an Australian licence.
The process to get a driver licence is different for each state so we’ve rounded up the relevant links:
Some states require a certificate of particulars from the NZTA. You can request this using contact details available from the link below.
Health Care
New Zealand citizens can enrol in Medicare, Australia’s publicly-funded healthcare system. This can only be done after you arrive in Australia.
To enrol in Medicare you must either:
- Provide proof you’re living in Australia for the next 6 months
- Have lived in Australia for 6 months or more in the last 12 months
- Live in Australia and have applied for permanent residency
Enrol in Medicare as a New Zealand citizen
Under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement you are eligible for some services for free.
Paying Tax in Australia
The Australian Taxation Department (ATO) is the equivalent of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). You’ll need to get a Tax File Number (TFN). You can apply for a TFN online, but only after you arrive in Australia.
Ready to get on with ticking off all the practical tasks for moving from New Zealand to Australia? Get yourself organised and you’ll reap the benefits. Settling into a new life is a whole lot more fun once you know banking, tax and all the other necessities are done and you can get on with exploring your new hometown.
We hope you found this article useful. It’s important to remember that the information in this blog is for general information only and should not be taken as professional advice. You should consider making your own enquiries and seeking independent advice to check how this information relates to your unique circumstances.
