NZ vs Australia: what would you really take home?

Moving to Australia: questions, answered

Is pay really higher in Australia?

Often, but the headline salary isn't the whole story. Australia taxes the first $18,200 at nothing, adds a 2% Medicare levy instead of ACC, and your employer pays 12% super on top of your salary rather than taking KiwiSaver out of it. Rent and living costs can swallow some or all of the gap, which is why the calculator lets you add rent on both sides.

What happens to my NZ student loan if I move to Australia?

Once you're overseas-based, repayments stop coming out of your pay and the loan is no longer interest-free. For the 2026-27 year the overseas interest rate is 5.6%, and IRD sets a yearly repayment based on your balance. Check your obligation in myIR before you go, and keep your contact details up to date so penalties don't build up.

What's the difference between super and KiwiSaver?

Both are locked retirement savings. In New Zealand you choose an employee rate (3.5% by default) that comes out of your pay, and your employer adds at least 3.5%. In Australia your employer must pay 12% of your ordinary earnings into super on top of your salary, and you don't have to contribute from your pay. The trans-Tasman portability scheme lets you move retirement savings between a KiwiSaver scheme and a complying Australian super fund.

Which Australian tax rates does this use?

The 2026-27 resident rates: nothing on the first $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000 and 45% above, less the low income tax offset (up to $700), plus the 2% Medicare levy with its low-income reduction. HELP repayments use the marginal bands that started in 2025-26. The New Zealand side uses the same 2026/27 IRD rates as our pay calculator.

Am I an Australian tax resident?

Usually, if you move to Australia to live and work, though it depends on your circumstances. This calculator assumes you are. Non-residents pay different rates, get no tax-free threshold and don't pay the Medicare levy, so the result would differ.

Which exchange rate should I use?

The rate changes daily. The calculator starts with an example rate, labelled as one; type in today's rate from your bank to compare in NZ dollars.

Is my data stored anywhere?

No. It all runs in your browser. The only thing that touches our servers is the URL you create with 'Copy share link', which contains just the numbers you entered.