Jobs in Australia by JJ Smith May 3, 2024 written by JJ Smith Moving to Australia and want to find a suitable job? If you are a New Zealand citizen, you are legally able to work in Australia. You may need to apply for a work visa if you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen. Hunting for jobs in Australia is very similar to looking for a job in New Zealand. The majority of jobs are advertised online, mostly by recruitment companies but also by individual employers. Continue Reading
Australian Tax by JJ Smith November 14, 2024 written by JJ Smith Australian tax file number, tax rates, tax calculator, and finding a tax agent/accountant. The Australian tax system works pretty similarly to New Zealand’s. The Australian Tax Office/Department (ATO) is the equivalent of the IRD in New Zealand. Your employer will pay the Australian Tax Department/Office tax on your behalf. If you are self-employed, you will need to file your own tax returns, so you will need to get an Australian tax accountant to help you file everything correctly. And the first thing you should do when you arrive in Australia is apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)! Continue Reading
Australia Skill Shortages by JJ Smith July 16, 2025 written by JJ Smith Are you a skilled worker? Or are you willing to upskill to be more desirable to Australian employers? Australia is experiencing widespread skill shortages across various industries, impacting sectors such as healthcare, teaching, construction, technology and more. Significant skill shortages in blue-collar jobs mean that all trades are in high demand. Several factors contribute to these shortages, including an aging workforce, increased demand for specialised skills, and the lingering effects of border closures during the pandemic. Australia has a history of paying its workers more than NZ, and if living in Australia has always intrigued you, then why not spend some time running the numbers and seeing how much more you will be paid if you make the move to Australia from New Zealand? Continue Reading
Move from NZ to teach kindergarten by JJ Smith October 18, 2024 written by JJ Smith Thinking about moving to Victoria, Australia, to pursue a career in early childhood education (ECE)? Whether you’re coming from another state or territory or from overseas, Victoria offers a supportive and enriching environment for educators (teachers) and teachers (head teachers). Victoria is known for its high-quality ECE system. The Victorian state government has invested significantly in the Best Start, Best Life reforms, expanding kindergarten programs across the state and creating more career pathways and opportunities for ECE professionals. The strong commitment to early childhood education in Victoria makes it a promising destination for ECE professionals. To provide a real-world perspective, we spoke with Ken Ah Honi, an early childhood teacher (head teacher) who moved from New Zealand to Victoria. Here’s his story: Continue Reading
White Card Australia by JJ Smith June 13, 2024 written by JJ Smith Planning on working on a construction site in Australia? You will need a white card. Workers on Australian construction sites must have a construction induction card (White Card) before starting work. Workers must show their white card to the PCBU on the site and to any inspectors who ask to see it. The nationally recognised certification is known as ‘CPCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry’. Please note that you must physically be in Australia to sit a White Card course. White cards are recognised Australia-wide. Continue Reading
Working in Australia for a New Zealand company by JJ Smith October 17, 2023 written by JJ Smith Yes, you can work remotely in Australia for a New Zealand company. This is quite common, especially in today’s digital work environment. There are a few things to consider, especially tax implications, as you need to consider both tax systems, whether you are employed or contracting (employment type), and your tax residency status (Australian resident, non-resident, or temporary resident for tax purposes). Continue Reading
Student Loans by JJ Smith May 16, 2023 written by JJ Smith Can New Zealand citizens get a student loan in Australia? Or do you have an NZ student loan and want to know your commitments while living in Australia? Generally, New Zealanders on an SCV are not able to get an Australia student loan, known as a HELP loan, unless they have been living in Australia for 10 years. Read more below. Regarding your NZ student loan, if you’re going overseas for 6 months or more, it won’t be interest-free. Below is all the information you need, including repayment amounts and a student loan repayment calculator. Continue Reading
Resume Tips by JJ Smith October 22, 2019 written by JJ Smith Australian recruiters are astounded at the number of mistakes job seekers make in their resumes. Here are the key things to avoid. Everyone needs to go through the process of creating a resume, keeping it up to date and tweaking it for different jobs. Here are the common errors many candidates make when creating their CVs. Continue Reading
