New Zealand citizens have a special status in Australian superannuation — they hold permanent resident-equivalent rights under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, which affects their super entitlements significantly.
Super Entitlements for NZ Citizens in Australia
NZ citizens working in Australia on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) — the visa automatically issued to NZ citizens on arrival — are treated similarly to Australian permanent residents for most purposes.
Key point: NZ citizens are NOT classified as temporary visa holders for DASP purposes. This means:
- They cannot claim DASP when leaving Australia
- Their Australian super is preserved until they reach preservation age
- Employer SG is payable in the same way as for Australian citizens
The Trans-Tasman Super Transfer Agreement
The Trans-Tasman retirement savings portability arrangement allows NZ citizens (and Australian citizens) to transfer super between Australia and New Zealand in specific circumstances.
Transferring Australian super to KiwiSaver (when leaving for NZ)
NZ citizens who are leaving Australia to live in New Zealand can transfer their Australian super to their KiwiSaver account:
- The transfer must go to an approved KiwiSaver provider
- Transferable amounts include both employer and personal contributions
- The transfer is treated as a rollover — no tax at the time of transfer
- KiwiSaver rules then apply to the transferred funds (including NZ withdrawal conditions)
Transferring KiwiSaver to Australian super
An Australian super fund can receive a KiwiSaver transfer if it is a complying Australian super fund and accepts the transfer. The transferred amount is treated as a rollover.
This is useful for NZ citizens who have KiwiSaver contributions and are now living and working in Australia long-term.
Who Is Eligible for Trans-Tasman Transfer?
To transfer Australian super to KiwiSaver:
- You are an NZ citizen (or Australian citizen) permanently moving to New Zealand
- You have reached age 60 or have met the KiwiSaver first home withdrawal criteria (or other conditions)
- You are not eligible to access your Australian super (i.e., you haven’t met a condition of release like age 65)
Transfer conditions are based on both Australian and NZ preservation/access rules.
KiwiSaver and Australian Tax
When Australian super is transferred to KiwiSaver:
- The transfer is generally not assessable income in Australia
- KiwiSaver contributions made in NZ are subject to NZ tax rules
- The fund notifies the ATO of the transfer
DASP for NZ Citizens
NZ citizens cannot claim DASP. Because they are not classified as temporary visa holders, their Australian super is preserved under Australian law until they meet a condition of release.
This means NZ citizens who work in Australia and return to NZ must:
- Wait until preservation age (60–65) to access Australian super, OR
- Use the Trans-Tasman transfer to move the super to KiwiSaver
For more: DASP — Departing Australia Super, Super for Temporary Residents, Super for Expats. For advice on your situation, speak with a licensed financial adviser via MoneySmart.