Crown Relocations is NZ’s leading moving company.

Moving To Perth From New Zealand

Let us help you plan your relocation and discover everything Perth has to offer. Crown are an international relocations company specialising in international removals, storage, overseas moving, movers insurance, relocation services and lots more. We will even relocate your vehicle and pets!

Our team is available to answer any relocation questions you may have. They can be reached between 8:00 am and 5:30 pm from Monday to Friday on 0508 227 696 or email [email protected]

Every year thousands of Kiwis make the decision to move to Australia. There is so much to think about when moving to a new country. One of the biggest decisions is which moving company will you choose to pack and relocate your household goods and personal effects. Here are some of the reasons we would like you to consider Crown as your Trans Tasman moving partner. Click here to read more.

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About The Perth

As the capital of Western Australia, Perth is said to have more sunny days per year than any other Australian city. Although being Australia’s fourth most populated city, Perth is tucked away from the rest of the country. Situated on the Swan River, with the Indian Ocean to the west and Darling Ranges to the east, Perth offers a relaxed outdoors atmosphere and a popular beach culture.

Crown Relocations has over 50 years experience as a market leader in both New Zealand and Australia. If you’re thinking about relocating to Western Australia’s capital city, be sure to read our latest blogs:

Five Reasons Perth is #1 for Fun!
Find Jobs & Adventure in Perth 
How Perth Are You? 

Visas/Permits in Perth

If you’re looking to move to Perth to live and/or work then it’s required to secure an Australian visa of some sort. There are a number of different types of visa available to expatriates – to find out more about what you may be eligible for, visit the Department of Immigration and Border Control website.

It is now mandatory to complete a skills assessment form when applying for a visa of any kind. The skills assessment form requires personal information, based around work experience and qualifications, these forms can be found on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website (DIAC).

However, if you are a New Zealand citizen then there is no need to apply for a visa on arrival to Australia – you will automatically be granted a Special Category Visa (SCV). An SCV allows you to live and work in Australia indefinitely.

However, the SCV is still a temporary visa and does not grant the holder the same rights as an Australian citizen or permanent resident. New Zealand citizens are no longer automatically entitled to permanent residency, and to apply for this you must go through the DIAC.

Money in Perth

The local currency is the Australian dollar. Each dollar is worth 100 cents and coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents as well as $1 and $2. Notes are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. There are many different choices that can be made when it comes to converting currencies. It’s strongly suggested not to take large sums of money or travellers’ cheques with you to convert overseas — this is because banks are known to charge high conversion rates when dealing with cash.

Migrants may find it beneficial to open up an Australian bank account before actually arriving in the country. This also helps to minimise the amount of cash that needs to be carried while travelling. When it comes to opening an Australian bank account without actually being in the country yet, several banks offer application forms that can be filled out online – Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ and NAB all provide an online sign-up service.

When moving overseas, it’s important to find a reliable service for converting your money online. Using the right service can help you save a significant amount. For more details, learn about our Money Transfer Services.

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Moving your money | Crown Relocations

Transportation in Perth

Australian drivers use the left hand side of the road and operate right-hand drive cars. Speed limits in Perth range from 50km/h in suburban areas to 100 km/h on freeways or highways.

If you have moved to Perth with a valid driver’s license from your home country, and are holding either a; tourist visa, temporary work visa or you are a resident with a student visa, then you are able to keep your overseas license. Note that if your original license is not in English then you must carry a certified translation.

Australia is subject to International Driving regulations — which mean that the acquisition of an International Drivers Permit or license allows overseas drivers to continue driving in Australia without further tests or applications, provided that a current drivers license is still held. More can be found out about International Driving Permits from The National Roads & Motorists’ Association website.

However, anybody holding a permanent visa for Western Australia must apply for a local license within three months of driving in Perth.

When applying for a Western Australia drivers license, you may need to pass a series of tests depending on the nature of your overseas license and driving history. To find out more about obtaining a local drivers license visit the Western Australia Department of Transport page.

Perth has an extremely reliable public transport system, comprised of buses and train services under the name ‘TransPerth’. For more information including bus and train timetables visit the TransPerth website.

Education in Perth

Public and private schools are of a high standard in Perth, although Western Australia ranks lower than Victoria and New South Wales in top ranking institutions, expatriates still agree that the standard of education is extremely satisfactory.
Deciding which school for your children to attend will depend on the area in which your house is located. Children attend the public school that is in their “zone” or local area.

As well as public education, there are also private institutions available across Perth. Private schools are most often Catholic, or Christian-based. There are also a few international schools available.

Schools in Perth run on a four-term schedule: Term 1 typically goes from late January through mid-April, Term 2 from late April to early July, Term 3 from mid/late-July to late September and Term 4 from mid-October through mid-December.

Transport available to school students will vary depending on the location of the school and home. Independent schools most often run their own bus systems. Most teenage children use the public bus and train services to get back and forth.

Crown Perth are able to arrange an appointment with a consultant to provide an in-depth explanation of the local education systems if required.

Health in Perth

Perth, like the rest of Australia, has access to very high standards of medical care — both public and private.

Medicare Australia is the government agency responsible with supplying medical services to the Australian public. Medicare covers all costs of public clinics and consultation fees for general practitioners as well as specialists. However, Medicare does not cover dental costs, elective surgeries, glasses, private hospital stays and ambulance services, and for these reasons almost 50% of Australians also choose to take out private health insurance as well as being enrolled for Medicare.

New Zealand citizens living in Australia automatically qualify for enrolment to Medicare – but with some conditions. They are also entitled to free emergency hospital care. However if they are not enrolled in Medicare they are generally charged with the full cost of doctor visits.

Health care in Melbourne is delivered through The Royal Melbourne Hospital which is one of Australia’s most prestigious hospitals. If the insurance company you were with in your home country is a member of the International Federation of Health Funds, you may be able to transfer your policy to Australia without penalty – at a similar level of cover. Check with your insurance provider for details.

Accommodation in Perth

When it comes to choosing a place to live in Perth, the deciding factor for many expatriates is their budget, as well as how much commute time they will be facing for schools and work. The excellent highways in Perth means that people working in the CBD do not also have to live there, an efficient road system means that commuters do not face extended time stuck in traffic on the way to/from work.

Perth has a variety of features that may appeal to different people. Geographically, beaches and rivers surround Perth, and many people take advantage of the opportunity to live in these places. Popular suburbs close to the beach and river include; Rossmoyne, Cottesloe, Dalkeith and Applecross. Freemantle, North Coogee, Hamilton Hill, Subiaco and Beaconsfield are popular with arts and cultural enthusiasts, as these areas boast a recognised range of art exhibits, restaurants and regular markets.

House prices have notably increased in Perth as of late and apartment prices in the CBD have also seen a notable rise. Many expatriates choose to rent their accommodation in Perth, this is due to the high taxes, that are placed on purchasing rental properties in Western Australia.

There are some restrictions in place when it comes to non permanent residents buying property in Australia, for more information about this please visit the Foreign Investment Review Board website. When organising a property to rent, landlords typically ask for four to six weeks rent in advance before the collection of keys. There is also a security deposit or bond to be paid before moving in.

For more information about renting a property in Western Australia, please visit www.atn.com.au

Networking in Perth

It’s more common for migrants to Perth to integrate in the wider, local community rather than into close-knit groups. However there are special newcomer groups which new residents are able to join.

Families are often involved in networking through their children’s schools; through sports, fundraisers and other activities.
Perth’s unique environment means there a range of different activities to get involved with, and many chances for social interaction with people from all walks of life. Outdoors activities are very popular in Perth with conventional surfing, kite-surfing, fishing, canoeing very popular water sports amongst others. With a notable, pubs and bar environment, people are always out looking to socialise. There are also several reputable singles networking services, who arrange weekend activities, restaurant dinners and sightseeing.

Jobs and adventure Perth
Moving to Perth – Australia | Go knowing

Next steps

Crown Relocations has 50 years of experience moving individuals and families to Perth and throughout Australia, contact us today for more information about our services. To arrange a quotation call our office for an obligation FREE quote on: 0508 227 696 or you can use our online quote forms: Quote Wizard, Quick Quote or Home Visit Request

To convert your money to Australian dollars the cheapest and most reliable way, check out our guide for Moving Your Money.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Crown Relocations has made every effort to present accurate information. However, regulations, rates and other variables are subject to change and Crown Relocations cannot accept responsibility for the errors that might result. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact your local Crown representative.

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