Bring Your Australian Super Home
If you worked in Australia and have moved permanently to New Zealand, the trans-Tasman retirement savings portability scheme lets you transfer your Australian super into a KiwiSaver scheme. Your retirement savings then sit in one place, in New Zealand dollars, under one plan.
The Rules
- Permanent move. You must have permanently emigrated to New Zealand. You sign a statutory declaration confirming this.
- Whole balance. Each Australian account transfers in full. Part transfers aren’t allowed.
- Regulated funds only. The money must come from an APRA regulated super fund. Self managed super funds can’t use the scheme. Super held by the ATO can also transfer.
- Both sides must accept. Transfers are voluntary for Australian funds and KiwiSaver providers, so both must accept the transfer.
- No tax on the transfer. Once in KiwiSaver, the money is invested and taxed at your PIR like the rest of your KiwiSaver.
- Held separately. The Australian money is tracked separately in your KiwiSaver account. It can’t be used for a first home and can’t be moved on to a third country.
- Access. Australian sourced money can generally be withdrawn from age 60 once you meet the Australian definition of retirement. New Zealand savings follow the usual KiwiSaver rules from age 65.
How We Work With You
Every transfer runs in two stages.
- Stage 1: KiwiSaver review. The whole Australian balance will be invested in your KiwiSaver fund, so we review your KiwiSaver first. We check your provider accepts Australian transfers and recommend a fund that suits your goals, your timeframe and the combined balance.
- Stage 2: The transfer. We request the acceptance letter from your KiwiSaver provider, source and prefill the current forms for your Australian fund, and explain exactly what to sign and who witnesses and certifies each document. We check everything before it is submitted and follow up with the fund until the money lands.
- Ongoing advice. Your KiwiSaver stays in our annual review, with advice across your investments, insurance and lending.
Before You Transfer
- Check any insurance held inside your Australian super. Cover ends when the account is closed.
- First home buyers can only use their New Zealand KiwiSaver savings for a first home withdrawal.
- Transfers can take up to three months. Super held by the ATO is paid in batches, generally in February and August.
Our Fee
Our transfer fee is $250 + GST or $500 + GST, depending on how complex the transfer is. We agree it with you before the transfer starts and invoice it only once the funds are confirmed in your KiwiSaver account.
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FAQs
Yes, if you have permanently moved to New Zealand. Australian super can only come into a KiwiSaver scheme, the whole balance of each account moves, and both the Australian fund and the KiwiSaver provider must accept the transfer.
We review your KiwiSaver first so the money lands in the right fund. We then request the acceptance letter from your KiwiSaver provider, prefill your Australian fund’s forms, guide you through signing and certification with a JP, submit everything and follow up until the money arrives.
Allow up to three months once the forms are with the Australian fund. Super held by the ATO is paid in batches, generally in February and August.
The transfer itself isn’t taxed. Once the money is in KiwiSaver, investment earnings are taxed at your Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR) like the rest of your KiwiSaver.
Most APRA regulated funds, including AustralianSuper, Australian Retirement Trust, Rest, HESTA, Cbus and Mercer. Each fund has its own form and requirements, and some only accept original documents by post. Self managed super funds can’t transfer under the scheme.
Yes. Each account is a separate transfer with its own form, and they can all go into your one KiwiSaver account.
Our transfer fee is $250 + GST or $500 + GST, depending on how complex the transfer is. We agree it with you before we start and invoice it only once the funds are confirmed in your KiwiSaver account.
No. Australian sourced money in KiwiSaver can’t be used for a first home withdrawal. Your New Zealand KiwiSaver savings can still be used if you are eligible.
Generally from age 60, once you meet the Australian definition of retirement. Your New Zealand KiwiSaver savings follow the usual rules from age 65.
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