Documents To Bring
When moving to Australia, it’s a good idea to bring all important legal documents with you, even if you don’t think they will be immediately necessary. Alternatively, you can bring certified copies of these documents. Certified copies are copies that have been verified as true copies by a lawyer, justice of the peace, or another authorised person, and some Australian institutions may accept them instead of originals.
If you prefer not to bring the originals of all your documents, ensure they are stored in a safe place, and that someone trustworthy can send them to you if needed.
Here are some key documents you may need when moving:
- Birth certificates for you and your children (if applicable)
- New Zealand driver’s license (should be valid for at least three months after your move)
- Marriage and/or divorce certificates
- Change of name certificates (if you have legally changed your name)
- Current passports (with at least six months of validity)
- Copies of any New Zealand court orders regarding the custody of children
- Documents showing termination of employment in New Zealand
- Documents showing termination of a lease agreement in New Zealand
This list is not exhaustive but provides a good starting point for gathering essential documents before your move to Australia.
Moving to Australia – What Is 100 Points Of ID?
When moving to Australia, you will need to provide documents to prove your identity in various situations, such as getting a driver’s licence, applying for a rental property, and applying for a Medicare card.
Australia commonly uses the “100-point check” system to verify identity. Different ID documents are assigned different point values (for example, a passport might be worth 70 points). You must provide a combination of documents that total at least 100 points.
Key points to remember:
- All documents must be in your current legal name. If you have changed your name due to marriage or other reasons, and your documents show your previous or maiden name, you will need to provide official documentation (such as a marriage certificate or name change certificate) to support your identity.
- Some documents may only be accepted if they have been issued in Australia or by the Australian government. However, your passport and other international documents are usually accepted as part of the point system.
What documents will help you
In Australia, the 100-point ID check system assigns different point values to various documents. To meet the 100-point requirement, you can combine documents from different categories. Here is a general breakdown of the point values assigned to common documents:
Primary Documents (Generally 70 Points Each)
- Passport (current or expired within the last two years, but not canceled)
- Australian Birth Certificate or Extract
- Australian Citizenship Certificate
- Australian Driver’s License (including learner’s permit)
- Australian State or Territory Government-issued Proof of Age Card
- International Passport
Secondary Documents
Generally 40 Points Each
- A Document Issued by the Australian Government (e.g., Medicare card, Centrelink card)
- Tertiary Student ID Card
- Public Employee ID Card
Generally 35 Points Each
- A Statement from an Employer (on company letterhead) confirming your name and address
- Current Rental Agreement/Lease
Generally 25 Points Each
- Utility Bill (e.g., electricity, gas, water) showing your name and current address
- Bank Statement or Credit Card Statement
- Council Rates Notice
- Rental Receipts from a Licensed Real Estate Agent
- Electoral Roll Registration Confirmation
Important Notes:
- At least one of the documents must include a photograph.
- You cannot use multiple documents of the same type (e.g., two bank statements) to accumulate points.
- If your documents are in a previous or maiden name, you must provide official documentation, such as a marriage certificate or name change certificate, to support your current legal name.
This breakdown of point values and document options will help you gather the necessary documents to meet the 100-point requirement for identity verification in Australia.
New Zealand Police Checks
If you need to obtain a police clearance certificate from the New Zealand government, you will need to apply for a Criminal Conviction History through the New Zealand Ministry of Justice. This can be done using the “Request your own Criminal Conviction History” form.
- When completing the form, make sure to request a full Record of Convictions by ticking the appropriate box in the application.
- If you do not have a criminal history, you will receive a letter stating that no convictions are recorded.
- If you do have a criminal history, you will receive a summary of your convictions. There is no need to complete a “Consent to Disclosure of Information” form unless another organization is requesting your criminal history on your behalf. This form is typically used when third parties, such as employers, request your criminal history directly from the Ministry of Justice.
Moving to Australia
- Banking Options
- Childcare & Early Learning
- Community Services
- Credit Checks
- Driver Licence
- Financial Support
- Getting Connected
- Giving Birth
- Healthcare in Australia
- Insurance
- Legal System
- Marriage Relationships
- Pension Eligibility
- Police Check
- Renting Advice
- Responsible Service of Alcohol
- School Years
- Tax in Australia
- What to Bring
- Working With Children Check