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Great news! Even if you already own a home in New Zealand, you can still apply for the Australian First Home Super Saver scheme (FHSS) to purchase your first home in Australia.
The FHSS scheme allows you to use personal voluntary contributions made to your super account to help you save for and purchase your first home in Australia.
Your KiwiSaver transfer is considered a personal voluntary contribution. You can use both your KiwiSaver and personal voluntary contributions under the FHSS scheme.
Note: Super Guarantee (SG) contributions made by your employer cannot be used towards FHSS.
The most you can access from your super account is $15,000 in any one financial year. You can access up to a total of $50,000 per person over several years.
If you are a couple and save $15,000 each financial year, over several years, you could access a combined amount of $100,000.
The dollar amounts are in Australian dollars.
First, you’ll need to transfer your KiwiSaver to a KiwiSaver accepting super fund such as First Super. There are only a handful of super funds which accept KiwiSaver transfers.
You must transfer your whole balance. Be aware of transfer limits. Regardless of how much you transfer, the most you can use from your KiwiSaver transfer towards the FHSS is $15,000.
If you want to access the full amount of $50,000 per person, you’ll need to make additional voluntary contributions to your super account.
The ATO are responsible for setting and applying the rules for the FHSS scheme and not the super fund.
The super fund can only release money under the FHSS scheme when instructed by the ATO.
The ATO website is an excellent resource and has all the information you need in relation to FHSS and eligibility.
When you are ready, you can apply for FHSS through the Australian myGov portal.
When you are thinking about purchasing your first home in Australia, get in touch with our Member Services team. We can help explain the FHSS rules and when to apply. We can also send key information about your First Super account to the ATO.
You must apply for and receive a FHSS determination with the ATO before you sign any property sale contract for your first home.
It takes approximately 2-6 weeks to transfer your KiwiSaver over to First Super.
If you sign contracts before receiving a FHSS determination from the ATO you will not be eligible for the FHSS.
Saving money for a deposit can take time.
If you change your mind or are unable to purchase your first home, the amount of money saved in your super cannot be withdrawn. It will stay in your super account as part of your retirement savings until you reach your preservation age.
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For more information on FHSS see our FHSS factsheet.
We’ve helped thousands of New Zealanders successfully transfer their KiwiSaver to Australia.
If you would like help transferring your KiwiSaver to Australia, or have any other questions, please call our Member Services Team on 1300 360 988, use Live chat or email us mail@firstsuper.com.au.
This webpage on KiwiSaver and FHSS may contain general advice which has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the advice is appropriate to your personal circumstances and consult the Product Disclosure Statement before making any investment decision.
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