Super, KiwiSaver And The Trans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability Scheme

If you plan to permanently move between Australia and New Zealand, you may wonder what happens to your superannuation or KiwiSaver savings. The Trans‑Tasman Retirement Savings Portability Scheme allows eligible individuals to transfer retirement savings between the two countries.

How the Portability Scheme Works

The portability scheme operates on a voluntary basis. Participation depends on you, your super fund or KiwiSaver provider, and whether they choose to accept transfers.

Only APRA‑regulated complying Australian super funds and New Zealand KiwiSaver providers can participate. Not all Australian super funds accept KiwiSaver transfers, and self‑managed super funds cannot receive transferred KiwiSaver savings.

Transferring Super From Australia to New Zealand

Eligibility

To transfer super from Australia to New Zealand, you must:

• Be under age 65, and
• Provide evidence of permanent emigration to New Zealand

What You Can Transfer

You can usually transfer your entire balance from a complying APRA‑regulated super fund. In some cases, you may also transfer unclaimed super money held on your behalf. Restrictions apply to certain interests, and self‑managed super funds cannot make transfers.

Where You Can Transfer

You can transfer eligible savings to any participating KiwiSaver scheme.

Contribution Caps

New Zealand does not apply contribution caps, so there is no limit on the amount you can transfer.

Tax Treatment

Transfers from Australian super to a KiwiSaver scheme are not taxed. Withdrawals remain tax‑free once you meet the legal conditions to access the funds.

Access to Transferred Funds

Transferred Australian savings cannot be used to purchase a first home and cannot be transferred to another country if you move again. Your savings remain split into two components:

• You can access the Australian component once you reach age 60 and retire
• You can access the New Zealand component when you reach the New Zealand retirement age, currently 65

Moving Back to Australia

If you later return to Australia, you must find a super fund that accepts KiwiSaver transfers. You also need to provide records showing how much of your balance counts toward your non‑concessional contributions cap and the taxable and tax‑free components. Without this information, you may face additional tax or excess contribution issues.

Transferring KiwiSaver From New Zealand to Australia

Eligibility

To transfer KiwiSaver savings to Australia, you must:

• Be under age 75, and
• Provide evidence of permanent emigration to Australia

What You Can Transfer

You can transfer your entire KiwiSaver balance.

Where You Can Transfer

You can transfer savings to an APRA‑regulated complying Australian super fund that accepts KiwiSaver transfers. You cannot transfer KiwiSaver savings into a self‑managed super fund.

Contribution Caps

Savings transferred from KiwiSaver count as non‑concessional contributions and are subject to the non‑concessional contributions cap. Exceeding the cap may require you to release excess amounts or pay additional tax. Your total super balance may also affect how much you can contribute.

Tax Treatment

Transfers from KiwiSaver to Australian super are not taxed. Withdrawals are generally tax‑free once you meet the conditions of release in retirement.

Access to Transferred Funds

Transferred savings cannot move to a third country if you relocate again. The balance remains split:

• You can access the Australian component once you reach age 60 and meet retirement conditions
• You can access the New Zealand component when you reach age 65

Moving Back to New Zealand

If you move back to New Zealand, you must locate a fund that accepts transfers from Australian super. The same portability rules apply when transferring funds back into a KiwiSaver scheme.

Why Planning Ahead Matters

Trans‑Tasman super and KiwiSaver transfers involve age limits, access restrictions and contribution cap considerations. Understanding these rules before you move helps protect your retirement savings and prevents unexpected tax or compliance issues.