How Much Does It Cost to Move from New Zealand to Australia?

Why This Move Is So Affordable

Three things make the New Zealand-to-Australia move uniquely cheap compared to other migration pathways.

First, there are zero visa costs. The SCV 444 is free and automatic. Compare that to a UK skilled worker who might spend AUD 4,640+ just on visa fees, or an Indian applicant who needs AUD 1,000+ in skills assessments on top of that.

Second, the flight is short and cheap. Auckland to Sydney is 3 hours. Even a last-minute one-way ticket rarely costs more than NZD 500.

Third, there's no bureaucratic pre-move spending. No English language tests, no skills assessments, no police clearance requirements for the initial move. You just book a flight and go.

The challenge isn't the move itself — it's having enough cash to cover your first few weeks in Australia while you get established.

Visa and Documentation Costs

SCV 444: NZD 0. Automatic on arrival.

Subclass 461 (for non-NZ family members): AUD 415 (≈NZD 455) per person. If your partner or dependents aren't NZ citizens, this is your cost.

NZ stream 189 (permanent residency, after 4 years): AUD 0. Free when you eventually apply.

Police clearance from NZ (if needed later for PR): NZD 30 from the Ministry of Justice. Not needed for the initial move but worth getting before you leave NZ — it's easier to obtain while you're still in the country.

Medical exam (if needed for PR): AUD 350-500 (≈NZD 385-550) per person. Required when you apply for the 189 NZ stream, not for the initial SCV arrival.

Total documentation costs for initial move: NZD 0-500 depending on your family situation.

Flights

One-way flights from New Zealand to major Australian cities:

Auckland to Sydney: NZD 200-500 (booked 2-4 weeks ahead). Budget airlines like Jetstar can be as low as NZD 150 during sales.

Auckland to Melbourne: NZD 200-500.

Auckland to Brisbane: NZD 200-450.

Auckland to Perth: NZD 300-600. Less competition on this route keeps prices slightly higher.

Christchurch or Wellington departures: Add NZD 50-150 compared to Auckland, or take a domestic connection.

Checked luggage: Most budget fares don't include checked bags. Add NZD 40-80 per bag (up to 23kg). Full-service carriers like Air New Zealand and Qantas include luggage on most international fares.

Excess baggage: NZD 100-200 per additional bag at the airport. If you're packing your life into suitcases, book extra bags online in advance — it's 30-50% cheaper than paying at check-in.

Practical tip: Many Kiwis fly with 2-3 large suitcases instead of shipping anything. At NZD 40-80 per bag, taking three bags of clothes and essentials costs NZD 120-240 — far less than any shipping option.

Shipping and Moving Your Belongings

### Option 1: Extra Luggage Only (Cheapest)

Take 2-4 suitcases on the plane. Buy everything else in Australia. Total cost: NZD 100-300 in extra baggage fees.

This works best for single people or couples without children. You can furnish an Australian apartment from Kmart, Ikea, and Facebook Marketplace for NZD 1,500-3,000.

### Option 2: Send Boxes by Post or Courier

Ship 5-15 boxes of personal items by sea freight. Cost: NZD 500-2,000 depending on volume and speed. Transit time: 2-4 weeks.

Good for sentimental items, books, kitchen gadgets, and things that are expensive to replace. NZ Post and private couriers like Pack & Send handle this.

### Option 3: Shared Container (Groupage)

Share a shipping container with other people's goods. Cost: NZD 2,000-5,000 for a partial load. Transit time: 4-8 weeks.

Good if you want to bring some furniture but not a full household.

### Option 4: Full Container

A 20-foot container from Auckland to Sydney or Melbourne costs NZD 4,000-10,000 including door-to-door delivery. Transit time: 2-4 weeks for the sea crossing, plus 1-2 weeks for customs and delivery.

Only worth it if you're moving a full household and your furniture is high-value. For most Kiwis, it's cheaper to sell and rebuy.

### Customs and Quarantine

Australia has strict biosecurity rules. Wooden items may need treatment. Outdoor equipment (tents, camping gear, garden tools) must be clean and free of soil. Declare everything — fines for undeclared items are severe.

Budget NZD 200-500 for customs clearance fees if you're shipping containers or large consignments.

First-Month Settlement Costs

This is your biggest expense category. Australian cities require significant upfront cash for housing.

### Rent and Bond

Australian rentals typically require four weeks' payment upfront: two weeks' bond (security deposit) plus two weeks' rent in advance.

Sydney: NZD 850-1,200 per week for a two-bedroom apartment in a reasonable area. Upfront cost: NZD 3,400-4,800.

Melbourne: NZD 650-950 per week. Upfront: NZD 2,600-3,800.

Brisbane: NZD 600-850 per week. Upfront: NZD 2,400-3,400.

Perth: NZD 600-800 per week. Upfront: NZD 2,400-3,200.

Regional cities (Gold Coast, Newcastle, Geelong): NZD 450-700 per week. Upfront: NZD 1,800-2,800.

### Temporary Accommodation

You'll likely need 2-4 weeks in temporary accommodation while you search for a rental. Options:

Hostel: NZD 40-70 per night (NZD 560-980 for two weeks). Basic but cheap.

Airbnb room: NZD 80-150 per night (NZD 1,120-2,100 for two weeks).

Airbnb apartment: NZD 150-300 per night (NZD 2,100-4,200 for two weeks). Better for families.

Serviced apartment: NZD 200-350 per night. Weekly rates are cheaper. Good for the first week while you orient yourself.

### Groceries and Household Basics

First big grocery shop: AUD 200-350 (≈NZD 220-385). Australian grocery prices are similar to NZ, though some items (dairy, bread) are slightly cheaper and others (fresh produce in some areas) are slightly more expensive.

Household setup (if buying new): NZD 500-2,000 for basic items — sheets, towels, pillows, kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies. Kmart and Target are your friends here.

Furniture (if needed): NZD 1,000-5,000 from Ikea, Facebook Marketplace, or Gumtree. Many furnished or semi-furnished rentals are available if you want to avoid this cost entirely.

### Transport

Public transport (monthly pass): NZD 170-220 in Sydney/Melbourne. NZD 130-170 in Brisbane/Perth.

Used car: NZD 5,000-15,000 if you need one. Less essential in Sydney and Melbourne than in Perth or regional areas. Your NZ licence is valid for 3-6 months (varies by state).

Fuel: Comparable to NZ prices. Budget NZD 60-100 per week if you're driving regularly.

### Phone and Internet

Prepaid SIM: NZD 15-35 for your first month. Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone all have prepaid options. You can buy a SIM at the airport.

Home internet: NZD 70-100 per month. You'll set this up when you sign a lease. NBN (Australia's broadband network) is the standard connection.

Financial Logistics

### Currency Exchange and Money Transfers

The NZD and AUD are close in value (typically NZD 1 = AUD 0.90-0.95), which makes mental math easier. But don't assume they're the same — the 5-10% difference adds up on larger amounts.

Bank transfer: Your NZ bank will charge a margin on the exchange rate plus a fee (typically NZD 15-30 per transfer). On a NZD 10,000 transfer, the total cost including the margin might be NZD 200-400.

Specialist transfer services (Wise, OFX, etc.): Generally offer better exchange rates and lower fees than banks. On a NZD 10,000 transfer, you might save NZD 100-200 compared to your bank.

Practical tip: Open an Australian bank account before you move (some banks allow this online for NZ citizens) and transfer your settlement funds before you arrive. Alternatively, bring a debit card with low foreign transaction fees for the first few days.

### KiwiSaver Transfer

You can transfer your KiwiSaver balance to an Australian super fund. The process:

1. Join an Australian super fund (happens automatically when you start a job)
2. Contact your KiwiSaver provider and request a Trans-Tasman transfer
3. The money moves from KiwiSaver to your Australian super, tax-free
4. It's then locked under Australian preservation rules (you can't withdraw until age 60)

Don't leave KiwiSaver sitting in NZ indefinitely. Transferring consolidates your retirement savings and means you're not paying fees on two separate accounts.

### NZ Student Loan

If you have an NZ student loan, it doesn't pause when you move to Australia. IRD considers you an "overseas-based borrower," and interest accrues on your loan.

Repayment obligations: You must make repayments based on your income. The amount depends on your loan balance. Set up automatic payments through myIR before you leave.

Penalties: Late payments attract penalties and additional interest. Many Kiwis in Australia have been caught out by this — set up payments and forget about it.

Total Budget Summary

### Single Person — Tight Budget

| Category | Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Visa | $0 |
| Flights + luggage | $300-500 |
| Temporary accommodation (2 weeks) | $800-1,500 |
| Rental bond + advance | $1,800-3,200 |
| Groceries + household basics | $500-1,000 |
| Phone SIM | $20-35 |
| Transport (first month) | $170-300 |
| Total | $3,590-6,535 |

### Single Person — Comfortable Budget

| Category | Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Visa | $0 |
| Flights + luggage | $400-600 |
| Temporary accommodation (3 weeks) | $1,500-3,000 |
| Rental bond + advance | $2,400-4,000 |
| Groceries + household setup | $1,000-2,500 |
| Phone SIM + internet setup | $100-150 |
| Transport (first month) | $200-400 |
| Furniture basics | $500-1,500 |
| Buffer fund | $1,000-2,000 |
| Total | $7,100-14,150 |

### Family of Four

| Category | Cost (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Visa (461 for non-NZ members if applicable) | $0-910 |
| Flights + luggage (4 people) | $1,200-2,500 |
| Temporary accommodation (3 weeks, apartment) | $3,000-6,000 |
| Rental bond + advance (3-bed house) | $3,200-5,600 |
| Groceries + household setup | $1,500-3,500 |
| Phone, internet, utilities setup | $200-400 |
| Transport + car purchase | $5,000-15,000 |
| Furniture and kids' gear | $1,000-3,000 |
| Buffer fund | $2,000-4,000 |
| Total | $17,100-40,910 |

How to Reduce Costs

Have a job before you arrive. Apply for Australian jobs from NZ. Many employers hire Kiwis remotely because there's no visa paperwork. Having income from day one reduces the savings buffer you need.

Use the NZ to Australia networks. Facebook groups like "Kiwis in Melbourne" or "NZ to Oz" often have people selling furniture, offering spare rooms, or sharing tips on cheap setup options.

Fly midweek. Tuesday and Wednesday flights are typically 20-40% cheaper than Friday or Sunday.

Skip the shipping. Unless you have genuinely irreplaceable items, sell in NZ and buy in Australia. The cost difference between shipping and rebuying is usually NZD 2,000-5,000 in your favour.

Choose a cheaper city. Brisbane and Perth are 20-30% cheaper than Sydney for rent. Regional cities are cheaper again. If your occupation doesn't require you to be in a specific city, your dollar goes further outside Sydney.

Next Steps

Read our settling in Australia from New Zealand guide for practical details on your first weeks — bank accounts, Medicare, rentals, and transport.

If you need to bring non-NZ family members, review the visa options guide for details on the subclass 461 and partner visas.

For document preparation, our NZ document authentication guide covers what paperwork you'll need.

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Related Resources

- New Zealand to Australia: Complete 2026 Guide
- New Zealand to Australia Visa Options
- Document Authentication for New Zealanders
- Settling in Australia from New Zealand
- Best Way to Transfer Money to Australia
- How Much Money Should I Bring to Australia?
- Compare International Removalists
- First Week in Australia Checklist

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Do I need to pay for a visa to move to Australia from NZ?

No. New Zealand citizens receive the Special Category Visa (subclass 444) automatically and free of charge when arriving in Australia. There are no visa application fees.

How much should I save before moving to Australia?

A single person should have at least NZD 8,000-12,000 in accessible savings for the move. This covers flights, temporary accommodation, rental bond and advance rent, and basic living costs while you get set up. Having a job lined up reduces the amount you need.

Is it cheaper to ship my stuff or buy new in Australia?

For most people, it's cheaper to sell in NZ and buy second-hand in Australia — especially for furniture. Shipping a full container costs NZD 4,000-10,000+. Many Kiwis just take extra luggage on the plane and buy the rest in Australia.

Can I transfer my KiwiSaver to Australia?

Yes. You can transfer your KiwiSaver balance to a complying Australian superannuation fund under the Trans-Tasman portability arrangement. The transfer is tax-free between the two systems, but the money stays locked until you reach preservation age.