Moving to Gold Coast from New Zealand: The Complete Checklist

We didn't know what we didn't know.

When Caitlyn and I decided to move to the Gold Coast from New Zealand, we thought it would be relatively straightforward. Same language, similar culture, short flight. How hard could it be?

Turns out, pretty hard if you're not organised. There's a lot that falls through the cracks between "we're moving" and "we're actually settled." The paperwork, the timing, the things no one tells you about until you're standing at a Queensland Transport office wondering why you didn't just sort your licence conversion earlier.

This post is the checklist we wish we'd had. If you're moving to Gold Coast from New Zealand, save this. Bookmark it. Screenshot it. Share it with whoever else is making the move with you.

If you want the story behind why we made this decision, read We're Moving to the Gold Coast (And Here's Why).

The Visa Situation (Less Complicated Than You Think)

Here's the good news: as a New Zealand citizen, you don't apply for a visa before you get on the plane.

When you arrive in Australia, you're automatically granted a Special Category Visa (SCV, subclass 444), which allows you to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely as long as you remain a New Zealand citizen. It kicks in when you clear Australian border control. That's it.

From July 2023, SCV holders who've lived in Australia for at least four years and meet standard character and residence requirements can apply directly for Australian citizenship — without needing to first become a permanent resident. That's a big deal if citizenship is on your radar.

The catch? SCV holders still can't access all Australian welfare payments. You're not treated the same as a permanent resident for Centrelink purposes. If you're moving with family members who are not New Zealand citizens, their visa situation is different and worth checking with a migration agent before you book flights.

Your checklist:

Get Your Finances Sorted Before You Land

The financial side of moving to Gold Coast from New Zealand is where a lot of people get caught out. The more you can sort before you arrive, the less stress you'll face in those first messy weeks.

Open an Australian Bank Account Early

The easiest option for Kiwis moving to Australia is ANZ Plus — ANZ's fully digital bank account that you can open entirely from New Zealand before you leave, with no Australian address required. Identity verification is done via the app. It's a full transaction account with a linked savings account, and it's ready to use as soon as you land.

If you want additional flexibility managing the currency juggle in those early weeks, Wise is also worth setting up. It supports both NZD and AUD and can be opened fully online from anywhere in the world.

Tax File Number (TFN)

Apply for your Australian TFN as soon as you arrive — online through the ATO website. Without it, your employer is required to withhold tax at the highest rate, which no one wants.

KiwiSaver and Superannuation

The Trans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability Scheme allows you to transfer your KiwiSaver balance to an Australian superannuation fund when you move. Not all Australian super funds accept KiwiSaver transfers — out of more than 100 super funds in Australia, only a handful participate in the scheme. Do your research before choosing a super fund.

A transfer from a New Zealand KiwiSaver scheme to a participating Australian super fund is not taxed. One thing people often miss: notify IRD of your departure via the myIR online portal. Also ensure you sell or lease your NZ home before you leave — this is what formally ends your NZ tax residency, as it removes your permanent place of abode from New Zealand.

Transferring Money Across the Tasman

Avoid using your regular bank for large transfers. The exchange rate markups and international fees add up fast. Services like Wise, OFX, or Currencies Direct typically offer significantly better rates than the big banks.

Your checklist:

Finding a Place to Live on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast rental market moves fast. If you're arriving without a place locked in, expect to compete.

Prepare your rental application before you land — references, employment history, and ID documents ready as a PDF package before you touch down. Families often choose suburbs like Palm Beach or Burleigh Heads for their schools and lifestyle, while singles and those just starting out often rent in Southport or Broadbeach for convenience and affordability.

If you're looking to buy: NZ citizens can buy a home in Australia without FIRB approval and without Foreign Acquirer Duty, as long as they are physically in Australia and hold a Special Category Visa at the time they sign the contract. If you sign a purchase contract while still living in New Zealand, you are treated as a foreign buyer. Timing matters here.

We're working on a full Gold Coast suburbs guide — covering lifestyle, school catchments, and what different areas are actually like to live in. We'll link it here when it's live.

Your checklist:

Healthcare and Medicare

This one's genuinely great for Kiwis. New Zealand citizens living in Australia are eligible for Medicare without needing to apply for permanent residency. Head to a Services Australia (Centrelink) office with your passport and you'll have Medicare sorted quickly.

Medicare covers GP visits, public hospital treatment, and a range of specialist services at low or no cost. It doesn't cover dental, ambulance, or most optical. Private health insurance is worth considering, particularly if you want to skip public hospital waiting lists or have existing health conditions.

Your checklist:

Schooling on the Gold Coast

If you're moving with kids, the school system in Queensland has one important difference from New Zealand: catchment zones are strict.

Catchments matter more than in NZ. State schools operate strict catchment boundaries — your local state school is the school closest to your home, measured by the shortest road route to the main entrance. This means where you choose to live directly determines which state school your children can attend. Research school catchments before you sign a lease.

The Queensland Government's EdMap tool lets you search any address and see exactly which schools you'd be zoned for. You can apply for enrolment outside your catchment area, but enrolment is not guaranteed and you'll be placed on a waiting list.

Private and Catholic schools are another option and don't operate on the same catchment system, though they have their own enrolment criteria and fees.

Note: Queensland primary school runs Prep to Year 6, and Year 7 is the first year of high school — different from NZ.

Your checklist:

Shipping Your Belongings

Start planning your shipment 8–10 weeks before your move date. The logistics take longer than most people expect.

You have two main options: sea freight or air freight.

Sea freight gives you two container options. Shared containers mean your belongings travel with other families' shipments, which keeps costs down. Sole use containers are better if you're moving an entire household and want faster delivery and more control. Air freight is faster but significantly more expensive — better suited to valuables or things you need immediately.

One recent quote for a move from Kaiapoi to the Gold Coast worked out to roughly $465 per cubic metre, including shipping, delivery, and quarantine inspection, with a transit time of around 10–16 weeks. Get multiple quotes and check exactly what's included.

Australian Biosecurity Is No Joke

Australia's biosecurity measures are strict. Fines can reach AUD $420,000 for undeclared items. That's not a typo.

Items that may carry soil, seeds, or pests — garden tools, outdoor furniture, bicycles, shoes — will be carefully inspected. Clean everything thoroughly before it goes in the container. Fresh food, plants, and wood products require special attention. Any fresh fruits or vegetables, homemade food, or food from the airplane is strictly forbidden.

Your checklist:

Converting Your New Zealand Driver Licence

Good news: New Zealand licence holders get a relatively easy ride in Queensland. You won't need to pass a road rules test or a practical driving test if you hold (or have held within the last 5 years) a NZ driver licence corresponding to a Class C, RE, or R licence.

If you stay in Australia for more than 3 months, you'll need to apply for an Australian driver's licence. Don't leave it too long — head to a Queensland Transport and Motoring Service Centre with your NZ licence, proof of identity, and proof of Queensland residency.

Your checklist:

Mobile, Utilities, and the Admin You'll Forget

Mobile phone: Keep your NZ SIM active for a period if you need it for two-factor authentication on NZ accounts. Port your number or get a new Australian SIM early. Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone all have good coverage on the Gold Coast.

Utilities: Set up electricity and internet before or on arrival. Origin Energy, AGL, and Alinta Energy are the main electricity providers in Queensland. For internet, Aussie Broadband, Superloop, and TPG are all worth comparing. NBN connection timelines vary depending on the property, so check availability early.

Your checklist:

Things People Forget (From People Who've Been There)

Rental history doesn't transfer. Your NZ rental history means nothing to a Gold Coast property manager. Get reference letters from your NZ landlord or property manager before you leave.

NZ qualifications need checking. Some NZ trade and professional qualifications need to be assessed or reregistered in Australia. This varies by profession — check with the relevant Australian professional body before you move if your job requires a licence or registration.

Pets take planning. Moving a dog or cat from NZ to Australia involves health certificates, vet checks, and timing around Australian biosecurity requirements. Start the process at least 3–4 months out.

Short-term accommodation costs add up. Budget more than you think you'll need for the first month. Holding two phone plans, eating out more, buying items you didn't pack — it all stacks up fast.

The weather is different. Gold Coast summers are genuinely hot and humid in a way most of New Zealand isn't. If you're moving in summer, pack accordingly. Air conditioning isn't optional.

Your Moving to Gold Coast Checklist: A Summary

3+ months out

6–8 weeks out

Week of the move

First week in Australia

First month

Moving to Gold Coast from New Zealand is one of the better decisions you can make. The lifestyle, the weather, the job market, the proximity to Brisbane — it's hard to fault. But the smoother you make the logistics, the more quickly you can stop thinking about admin and start actually living there.

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Have a question about the move we didn't cover? Drop it in the comments and we'll answer it.

Read next: We're Moving to the Gold Coast (And Here's Why) — the story behind the decision, the honest reasons we left, and what we were hoping to find on the other side.

Frequently Asked Questions