Transferring Australian super to New Zealand
You may be eligible to transfer your super between Australian and New Zealand super funds. Deciding to transfer is up to you and you can choose to keep your super in your Super Savings account
Does Australian Retirement Trust allow transfers?
Deciding to accept transfers is up to each super fund.
We'll transfer your super account to your chosen New Zealand fund provided they will accept the transfer.
Currently Australian Retirement Trust does not accept transfers from New Zealand funds.
How do I transfer my super to KiwiSaver?
Move to New Zealand permanently
You'll need a signed Australian or New Zealand statutory declaration stating you moved permanently to New Zealand, plus proof you live at a New Zealand address.
Contact your chosen KiwiSaver provider
Your chosen KiwiSaver provider must be willing to accept the transfer before you can transfer your ART super savings.
Provide required documents
Fill out the Transfer to a KiwiSaver Scheme Form and include the details of your KiwiSaver account, including the account number.
Things you should know before transferring
Transfer conditions
- Only the whole balance of your super can be transferred to a KiwiSaver scheme (no part transfers).
- Pension accounts cannot be transferred, however you may transfer your pension to an Australian Retirement Trust Accumulation account and then move that account to a KiwiSaver scheme.
- Accounts that contain an untaxed element cannot be transferred.
- Defined benefit accounts cannot be transferred, except for any accumulation component that a defined benefit account may have.
Funds may only be transferred between a complying super fund regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and a New Zealand KiwiSaver scheme.
Spending rules
Once the balance has been transferred to your KiwiSaver scheme, it is generally subject to New Zealand's retirement savings rules. However, there are some specific rules that apply to money transferred from an Australian super fund. For example, Australian-sourced savings held in KiwiSaver schemes:
- Can be accessed when you reach 60 years of age and satisfy the Australian definition of retirement’ at that age.
Cannot be moved to a third country.
Cannot be used to purchase your first home.
How can I prove my identity?
Before we transfer your account, we need to be certain that it is you asking for the money. To do this, we'll ask you to provide certified identification.
If you're getting your identification certified in New Zealand, the below certifiers will be accepted:
- Australian consular officer
- Australian diplomatic officer
- police officer of an New Zealand force
- notary public
- judge of a court or magistrate in an New Zealand jurisdiction
- international Justice of the Peace (JP)
- registrar or deputy registrar of a court
- commissioner of oaths.
Please see our proof of identity requirements for a list of acceptable identity documents.
