NZ vs Australia Move Calculator
Compare your after-tax, after-rent take-home pay in NZ vs Australia. Factors AU $18,200 tax-free threshold, Medicare, Super 12% vs KiwiSaver 3.5%.
About this calculator
This calculator implements NZ + AU income tax brackets, AU Medicare + Super from IRD + ATO + RBNZ. Last consulted 18 May 2026. Verify the figures yourself by following the link.
NZ vs Australia tax & retirement
FY 2025-26 (NZ) + FY 2024-25 (AU)- •AU tax-free threshold: AU$18,200
- •NZ tax-free threshold: $0 (taxed from $1)
- •AU top rate: 45% (>AU$190k) + 2% Medicare
- •NZ top rate: 39% (>$180k)
- •AU Super (employer): 12% on top
- •NZ KiwiSaver (employee): 3.5% deducted
- •Exchange rate (mid-2026): NZ$1 ≈ AU$0.91
- •NZers in AU (2026): ~700,000
Source: ATO + IRD
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results are based on standard formulas and may not reflect your individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
How NZ vs Australia take-home compares
Calculate net pay in each country, then convert AU to NZD for an apples-to-apples comparison.
- 1
NZ side
NZ_net = NZ_gross − PAYE(NZ) − ACC(1.75%) − KiwiSaver(3.5%)
KiwiSaver is deducted from pay (employee 3% + employer 3.5%).
- 2
AU side
AU_net = AU_gross − Tax(AU brackets) − Medicare(2%)
Super 12% is paid by employer ON TOP — doesn't reduce take-home.
- 3
Convert AU to NZD
AU_in_NZD = AU_net ÷ exchange_rate (e.g. NZ$1 = A$0.91)
Use current mid-market rate.
- 4
After rent comparison
Diff = (AU_net_NZD − AU_rent_yearly) − (NZ_net − NZ_rent_yearly)
Single biggest cost-of-living factor.
Worked example
Inputs: NZ$80k vs AU$95k, both $650/wk rent
Result: NZ net $60k − $33.8k rent = $26.2k. AU net AU$72.7k ÷ 0.91 = NZ$80k − $37.1k = $42.9k. AU +$16.7k/yr.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more do Kiwis earn in Australia?
Is my KiwiSaver transferable to Australian Super?
What is Australia's '501 deportation' issue and how does it affect Kiwis?
Can I get NZ Super if I retire in Australia?
The NZ vs Australia move calculator compares your after-tax, after-rent position in both countries — factoring Australia's $18,200 tax-free threshold, the 2% Medicare levy, employer-paid 12% superannuation, and the exchange rate — against NZ's PAYE, ACC, and KiwiSaver.
How this calculator works
Comparing headline salaries across the Tasman is misleading because the two tax and retirement systems are built differently. In New Zealand, tax starts from the first dollar, the ACC levy takes 1.75%, and KiwiSaver contributions (3.5% employee) come out of your pay. In Australia, the first A$18,200 is tax-free and the Medicare levy adds 2%, but superannuation of 12% is paid by the employer on top of the advertised salary — it boosts retirement savings without reducing take-home pay. The calculator computes net pay under each system, converts the Australian result to NZ dollars at the current exchange rate (around NZ$1 = A$0.91), and subtracts typical rent in each city, since housing is the biggest cost-of-living difference. The result is a like-for-like weekly or annual comparison — often surprisingly favourable to Australia for mid-career earners, which is exactly why the calculator also matters for negotiating NZ retention packages.
NZ vs Australia tax and retirement settings
| Tax-free threshold | NZ: none · AU: A$18,200 |
| Top marginal rate | NZ: 39% over $180k · AU: 45% over A$190k + 2% Medicare |
| Retirement scheme | NZ: KiwiSaver 3.5% from pay · AU: Super 12% employer-paid on top |
| ACC / Medicare | NZ: ACC 1.75% · AU: Medicare 2% |
| Exchange rate (mid-2026) | NZ$1 ≈ A$0.91 |
| New Zealanders living in Australia | ~700,000 |
Worked Examples
NZ$80,000 in Wellington vs A$95,000 in Brisbane, both paying $650/week rent
Australia comes out ≈ NZ$16,700/year ahead after tax and rent.
- NZ net: $80,000 − PAYE $16,278 − ACC $1,400 − KiwiSaver $2,800 ≈ $59,500
- AU net: A$95,000 − tax and Medicare ≈ A$72,700
- Convert: A$72,700 ÷ 0.91 ≈ NZ$79,900
- After NZ$33,800 rent each: NZ ≈ $25,700 vs AU ≈ $42,400 → AU +$16,700
Senior role: NZ$120,000 vs A$140,000, before rent
AU net ≈ NZ$114,400 vs NZ net ≈ $84,200 — about NZ$30,000/year more before housing.
- NZ net: $120,000 − PAYE $29,478 − ACC $2,100 − KiwiSaver $4,200 ≈ $84,200
- AU tax + Medicare on A$140,000: ≈ A$35,900 → net A$104,100
- Convert: A$104,100 ÷ 0.91 ≈ NZ$114,400
- Plus AU Super 12% (A$16,800) growing on top — not counted in take-home
Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the IRD and official New Zealand government sources.
Last reviewed: