Gobbo

Does anyone know of any pitfalls with residing and working in NZ whilst holding Aussie PR?

A search on this forum has raised more questions than answers!

We have recently arrived in OZ to take up residence. (we validated last year & the visa expires in approx 3 years)
Although we love Oz we have been offered a work opportunity in NZ, (a 2 year secondment), which is more attractive than anything that has been offered in Oz so far. The new employer suggests all is straight forward. The idea would be to return to Oz after the project is complete and prior to our OZ PR expiring.

We are keen to give this a go (and are mindfull of the need to return to oz within the validity of the visas if we want to settle in Oz)

My queries;
Are there any tax implications if we were to be paid in AUD into an Australian bank account, for work carried out in NZ?
Will we gain any concession on import duty for personal effects that we need to have shipped over? I can find no info on this in relation to entering on Aussie PR.


Just wondering if any of you guys had been in this situation, any thoughts welcome?

I've got questions on resident return visas, but may leave those for another thread.

Thanks

Expat Kiwi

Just wanted to wish you luck with this, mostly the migration flow is going in the other direction .

Just a couple of observations for you

1. Are you being paid NZ rates of pay for the work, or Australian? be sure you're getting the going rate for Australia and aren't selling yourself short.

2. Get it set-in-stone in your contract that you'll be given back your job in Australia when the two years is up. Also that your company will cover all expenses incurred including moving and MAF fees, visas, school uniforms, rental bonds, car purchase, storage charges etc.

Gobbo

Hi and Thanks for responding.

on point 1, yes it is Oz rates and will actually be paid in NZ (my misunderstanding earlier).

on point 2, we have negotiated most of this, but you've given us a couple of things to consider, like MAF and rental bonds Thanks for the hint.

Any other pitfalls that might trip us up?

Regards

Expat Kiwi

Ok, think of all your set up costs when you moved to Australia- then translate them into New Zealand. Here's some more off the top of my head

Some phone/power companies ask for a bond.
There may be a connection fee for your phone/broadband service.
You will have to make do and mend whilst you're waiting for your container to arrive in NZ (unless you can find a fully furnished rental) this could be for 6 weeks or more, depending on how busy it is.
Remember the insurance when considering shipping quotes.

Then times it all by two - it's all got to be paid again when you return to Australia.

If you stay on when your Australian PR expires and you take up NZ PR that may not be valid in Australia, so even though you get your job back you may not be able to work back in Australia.

You really do need to get a good understanding of how your Australian PR works in New Zealand, perhaps someone who's already done OZ to NZ can tell you the mechanics of the visa systems between the two countries.

Where abouts in New Zealand are they going to send you and why can't they get an Australian (or expat Kiwi) to take the job?

Gobbo

The relocation expenses are going to be covered by my OH's employer, so all the shipping to NZ and back to OZ, initial accomodation etc, ie the over and above costs of going to NZ rather than remaining in OZ will be met.
As your previous suggestion we will ask for bonds to be covered to reduce the initial burden.

You have asked the same questions that I asked my OH when I heard of the offer! I have felt slightly sceptical but career wise it's better than anything we've been offered here in Oz and financially it stacks up.

The position is in Auckland and the reason no one else has been hired from NZ or OZ is due to the slightly specialist nature of the work and the fact that the company are not established in NZ, therefore no-one can mobilise quickly, from OZ except us! I don't want to give too many details on here but its not as flaky as it may sound!

It is a valid point you make about PR and we will ensure that we return prior to the visa expiring.

So all being well we should be starting another adventure very soon. I've been to NZ a couple of times but my OH never has.