If you’ve recently moved (or are planning a move) from Australia to New Zealand, you might be wondering what happens to your Super. The good news is that under the Trans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability agreement, you can transfer your Australian superannuation into your KiwiSaver. It’s a straightforward process, but there are a few rules and quirks worth knowing before you start.

Who can transfer?

To be eligible, you’ll need to have permanently emigrated to New Zealand and hold your savings in a complying Australian superannuation fund (self-managed super funds aren’t eligible). You’ll also need to already be a member of a KiwiSaver scheme that accepts transfers. Simplicity is one of these KiwiSaver providers - you can check out our KiwiSaver scheme here and fill out the form to join us, if you are looking to transfer your Super to Simplicity.

Important rules to know

One of the big things to keep in mind is that you must transfer your entire Australian Super balance - partial transfers aren’t allowed. The transfer itself is tax-free, but the way you can access the money later is different. Any Australian-sourced savings transferred into KiwiSaver are able to be accessed once you’re at least 60 plus meet the Australian definition of retirement, while your KiwiSaver contributions (both your own and your employer’s, plus any government contributions) follow New Zealand’s rules and are accessible at 65. Any returns your fund makes after you transfer your savings into a KiwiSaver scheme are also subject to the NZ rules around withdrawals.

There are a few other rules and restrictions too:

• You can’t use the Australian-sourced portion for a first home withdrawal

• Once the money is in New Zealand, it has to stay here (unless you move back to Australia) - you can’t transfer it on to a third country

• Only some Superannuation providers comply with the transfer scheme; you'll need to switch your Super to a complying scheme before you start the process, if your provider isn't one of these

• We’re unable to accept funds that are currently in an Australian Super scheme, but originated from a UK pension scheme - this is because KiwiSaver schemes in NZ do not meet QROPS requirements (you can read more about this here)

What you’ll need

To kick off the process - assuming you're a current member of a KiwiSaver scheme - you’ll need a few basics: 

- The 'Trans-Tasman portability transfer form' from your Australian Super provider
- Proof of your identity
- Your New Zealand IRD number
- A statutory declaration confirming that you’ve permanently moved to New Zealand

How the process works

1.  The first step is to get in touch with your Australian Super Fund Provider and request their transfer documents.

2.  Once you’ve got those, you’ll need to fill out the forms provided, including the details of your KiwiSaver provider so they can complete the process.

3.  If you’re moving your balance into Simplicity's KiwiSaver Scheme, email our Investor Services team at info@simplicity.kiwi. We can give you a letter of compliance and our bank details - both are usually needed to get the transfer underway.

4.  Once you’ve submitted everything, your Australian super provider will handle the rest. Transfers typically take a few weeks but in some cases can take up to two months (for more complex transfers), so it’s really just a case of sitting tight while the funds make their way across the Tasman.

Why transfer?

There are a few benefits to consolidating your Super and KiwiSaver into one account. It keeps everything simple - no more juggling two retirement accounts across two countries. It also means your savings are working under New Zealand rules, alongside your regular KiwiSaver contributions, employer contributions and (if eligible) government top-ups. And given the transfer is tax-free, you don’t have to pay tax to either government in the move.

Transferring your Australian Super to KiwiSaver is a practical way to bring your retirement savings home. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria and have the right documents, it’s a smooth process that could make managing your future wealth that little bit simpler. If you’re looking to make the move to Simplicity, get in touch with our friendly Investor Services team and we’ll be happy to help guide you through the process, so you can get settled in New Zealand while your retirement savings keep growing.


Please note: it’s worth getting independent financial and tax advice before you decide to take the plunge, given your transfer may have an impact on the fees and tax you pay, investment options and currency exchange rates. The Australian government’s ATO website is a great place to dig deeper into the details.

The information provided and opinions expressed in this article are intended for general guidance only and not personalised to you. These materials do not take into account your particular financial situation or goals and are not financial advice or a recommendation. This article is not intended to convey any guarantees as to the future performance of any of the investment products, asset classes, or capital markets mentioned. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Information is current at the time of posting, and subject to change without notice. Simplicity NZ Ltd is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver Scheme and Investment Funds. For Product Disclosure Statements please visit our website simplicity.kiwi.