Did you know that approximately 650,000 New Zealand citizens live in Australia today? This made us wonder, what draws so many kiwis away from the beautiful scenery of their island to set up a life in Australia.

So we asked them!

Based on feedback from the NZ expat community in Australia, the following are a few of the most common reasons why kiwis make the move down under.

6 Reasons to Move from New Zealand to Australia

Employment and Money

Of the differences between living in Australia vs New Zealand, there are a lot more jobs on offer in Australia than there are in NZ, and the wage is often better too. Kiwis find it quite easy to find jobs in Australia when they move.

That’s not to say that there aren’t adequate work opportunities in NZ – there are – but the diversity of industry is much greater in Australia, and the size of the countries comes into play too; 24.6 million people in Australia vs 4.7 million people in NZ.

The gap in pay isn’t as steep as it used to be between the two countries (neither is the dollar conversion), however, the salary down under is still a substantial step up in some regions.

The other draw to Australia is that most NZ citizens can visit, live and work in Australia without applying for a tourist or work visa.

Cost of Living

The bigger cities in Australia are equally as expensive as New Zealand, however the overall cost of living down under is cheaper. And this is because Australia is less isolated than NZ, so on common items there are less taxes and tariffs.

The bigger population scales the economy to fit your style of living. Higher rent is often found in cities, but you can find moderately priced options, and your higher salary will cover these expenses.

Staples such as petrol, fruits, and vegetables are considerably cheaper.

Weather

The climate in Australia and New Zealand are similar in that they lean towards warmer weather. However, the weather in Australia tends to be hotter, sunnier, and less temperamental.

New Zealand’s weather is cooler, and the country experiences a lot more rainfall; the weather here is largely affected by ocean conditions, while Australia has a continental climate and is generally more self-regulating when it comes to weather conditions.

Australia also has varying climate zones, while New Zealand is generally temperate. If you’re someone who’s looking to experience warmer weather or a variety of weather somewhere else in the country, Australia could be a good fit.

There are tropical regions in the north, dry, arid desert in the center, and mild coastal weather on the East Coast, where most cities lie. For anyone truly homesick for NZ weather, Tasmania is very similar.

Lifestyle

Both Australia and New Zealand offer a very chilled, laid back lifestyle, but if you’re someone who craves adventure or you’re simply looking for a lifestyle change, Australia is a huge country that offers many lifestyle options.

For instance, Sydney is filled with nightlife like no place else, Melbourne hosts a vibrant art and music scene, the Gold Coast has theme parks galore for thrill-seekers, and Tasmania offers options for those looking to enjoy the quieter side of life.

Tasmania is also a wonderful spot for those looking for a lively food culture. When it comes to Australia, there’s always a place to fit in.

Staying Close to Family

Moving overseas is incredibly exciting, but moving to the other side of the world can feel quite isolating, and restrict the ease of traveling back home for important events, and to spend time with family.

Moving to Australia offers an exciting sea-change without being too far away from family; it’s very easy to jump on a cheap flight back to NZ for a wedding, or to surprise your mother for her birthday.

So most expats quoted this as a reason they chose Australia.

It’s a Super Easy Move

Moving as Kiwi to Australia is super easy. As we outlined above, you don’t need a visa. You can simply go through customs and are entitled to work and live there for as long as you want.

Once you’ve arrived, it’s easy to become a permanent resident to get the rights of other Australians. And it’s very easy for you to transfer your superannuation from New Zealand to Australia to get a pension.

The actual process of moving your stuff from your home in New Zealand to Australia is easy as well. There are plenty of companies, like New Zealand Van Lines, that help you with the packing and transportation of your belongings.

You also don’t have to fear any culture shock as the two cultures are similar. It’s one of the safest and easiest moves you can make to change things up.