If you're a New Zealand citizen living in Australia you may be eligible to get Centrelink payments or concession cards.
The immigration status of New Zealanders determines whether they can get financial help from Australian social security (Centrelink). For example, whether they are an Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen, or on a visa affects what financial help they can receive while living in Australia.
For example, a person who lived in New Zealand for four years before turning 65, may be eligible for Australian Age Pension under the Agreement if they entered Australia on a New Zealand passport and they have lived in Australia for six years or more.
To be eligible to receive a payment, you must be an Australian Resident. An Australian resident (as defined by the Social Security Act 1991) is a person who lives in Australia on a permanent basis and is one of the following: an Australian citizen. the holder of a permanent visa.
When you hold a permanent residence visa. A permanent residence visa lets you live in Australia and will allow you to claim any Centrelink payment or concession card.
Eligibility rules
you're between 22 and Age Pension age. you meet residence rules. you meet the income and assets tests.
Can I get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension? You may be able to get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension in Australia if: you meet the New Zealand eligibility criteria (except being ordinarily resident in New Zealand)
Currently, to get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension, you must have lived in NZ for at least 10 years since you turned 20. The 10 or more years must include 5 years since you turned 50. When we say 'have lived in NZ', we mean you were: resident in NZ, i.e. you permanently made your home in NZ, and.
have lived in New Zealand for at least 10 years since you turned 20. These 10 years must include 5 years since you turned 50. If you haven't lived in NZ the whole time, you may be able to use other countries to meet this criteria.
Medicare is Australia's publicly-funded healthcare system. New Zealand citizens living permanently in Australia are eligible for Medicare if they: can prove they have entered Australia long-term or permanently. enrol with Medicare.
New Zealand citizens must meet the general residence requirement of being lawfully present in Australia for four years, including 12 months as a permanent resident, immediately before the date of citizenship application.
Apply for Australian citizenship
From 1 July 2023, New Zealand citizens who have been living in Australia for four years or more will be eligible to apply directly for Australian citizenship.
Summary of NZ Super Rates
If you're aged 65 and over and meet the qualifying criteria, you will receive up to $25,811.24 per year after tax.
NZ Super is a pension for those aged 65. It is a cash payment that is not means-tested and has some residency-based eligibility criteria.
New Zealand has reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom (UK). Under each, certain services may be publicly funded for people covered by the agreements. Those services may be funded to the same extent as for a national of the country they're visiting or staying in temporarily.
Ending employment
In employment law, there is no set age for retirement. The common age for retirement is 65, as this is the superannuation qualification age. The retirement process is generally the same as for resignation.
An eligible New Zealand citizen means a New Zealand citizen who is a protected SCV holder within the meaning of section 7 of the Social Security Act 1991 (SSA). You are a protected SCV holder at a particular time, if you: were in Australia on 26 February 2001 as the holder of an SCV.
To get Age Pension you generally need to have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years in total. For at least 5 of these years, there must be no break in your residence. We may need more information to establish your Australian residence history.
If you're a New Zealand citizen living in Australia you may be eligible to get Centrelink payments or concession cards.
Latest Age Pension changes (from 20 March 2023)
Single: $1,064.00 per fortnight (approximately $27,664 per year) Couple (each): $802.00 per fortnight (approximately $20,852 per year) Couple (combined): $1,604.00 per fortnight (approximately $41,704 per year)
The Work Bonus income bank is useful for pensioners who wish to work, particularly those who undertake intermittent or occasional work. Note: from 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2023, a one-off, temporary credit of $4,000 applies to Work Bonus income bank balances.
This is a Services Australia payment for people who are looking for work. You can also get this payment if you can't work or study for a short time. To get this payment, you must be between 22 and Age Pension age.
Age Pension age
65 years and 6 months, if you were born between 1 July 1952 and 31 December 1953. 66 years, if you were born between 1 January 1954 and 30 June 1955. 66 years and 6 months, if you were born between 1 July 1955 and 31 December 1956. 67 years, if you were born on or after 1 January 1957.