Kiwis arriving in record numbers but many caught unprepared for Aussie life

Record numbers of New Zealanders are coming to Australia in search of work and higher wages, but many are arriving unprepared, facing financial stress, housing insecurity and limited access to support.

Nerang Neighborhood Center (NNC), a long-standing Gold Coast charity, is stepping in to help, including funding return flights for those who need to return home.

Founded in 1991, the center helps vulnerable residents get through difficult times by providing free services including food assistance, youth programs, financial assistance, counseling, and laundry and shower facilities.

General Manager Vicky Rose said the number of New Zealanders needing assistance had increased in recent years, particularly in the wake of Covid-19 and the Queensland government’s 2025 policy restricting housing benefit for non-citizens.

“People come unprepared. They don’t have enough money behind them, there’s no real plan and they also don’t put money aside for a rainy day; it literally rains a lot here and especially around Christmas time,” Ms Rose told NewsWire.

“So, on top of bank holidays, if you’re a casual worker outside and it rains you don’t work, and if you don’t work you don’t get paid.”

For some, the center becomes a lifeline, especially for those who find themselves without money, a place to stay or family support.

The centre’s work comes amid an unprecedented wave of New Zealand immigration to Australia.

Provisional data shows 73,900 New Zealand citizens have left their home country by August 2025, with 58 per cent choosing Australia due to higher wages and economic opportunities.

Australia’s GDP per capita is around $64,400, while in New Zealand the figure is $48,000.

Financial gains are immediate for young workers in industries such as hospitality and construction.

But behind the numbers, experts say many New Zealanders face structural disadvantages.

Most come with a Special Category Visa (SCV), which allows indefinite stay but limits access to benefits such as unemployment payments, housing support and disability benefits.

Until a policy change in 2023, SCV holders had to compete for permanent residence, leaving many on “permanent probation” that prevented them from accessing social protection.

“The new Queensland government has taken a very strict stance on essentially not providing assistance to non-citizens, which doesn’t include domestic violence, there’s always assistance out there, it’s just not covered by housing, and state-funded agencies have had to withdraw their assistance,” Ms Rose said.

“So our little center has seen an increase in the number of people needing help, particularly with housing,” Ms Rose said.

In these cases, NNC can help organize return flights to New Zealand and give clients a second chance to rebuild their lives at home.

“It starts with a conversation about their circumstances so we can uncover where they are and how they got there. Ultimately, we ask them what they want to be or where they want to be,” Ms. Rose said.

“So our job is to provide information and give them all the options available here, including the option to return to New Zealand.”

These conversations happen two to three times a week, he said, but most people take the time to consider their options before taking action.

“At this point, if they choose to return to New Zealand, we will first refer them to Homeward or the International Organization for Migration.

“If they are denied and come back to us, we will start our own emergency funding process. We probably did that once or twice a month on average.”

Before arranging flights, the center carefully considers the customer’s circumstances, including whether they have other support or work opportunities elsewhere in Australia, and asks for evidence such as bank statements, Centrelink letters or ID.

Once flights have been arranged, NNC continues to provide guidance on services in New Zealand.

“I’ll give them details of all the support services available in the area (of New Zealand) they’ll be returning to, including what Work and Income New Zealand will need, but often people are returning to their hometown and/or family and will organize supports once they get there,” Ms Rose said.

Trans-Tasman migration also has serious social consequences.

Research shows that the life expectancy of New Zealand-born residents in Australia is 7-8 years shorter than that of Australian-born residents.

Housing and financial insecurity are widespread and discrimination is widespread; Almost half of New Zealanders in Australia say they feel like they don’t belong.

Despite the challenges, NNC has been a vital bridge for those in need, offering practical support while helping clients navigate government systems in both Australia and New Zealand.

Ms Rose said the center worked closely with the New Zealand High Commission, providing advice on complex cases and alerting authorities to emerging trends.

His advice to potential immigrants is simple: come prepared.

“Do your research and be prepared to support yourself financially for at least three months,” he said.

“Don’t just rely on information from family or friends here, find out for yourself. Understand that this is not our country and is, for all intents and purposes, a foreign country.”

“Would you go to Italy with no money and no plan?”