Australia and New Zealand
Mobility, markets, defense and Pacific cooperation make the trans-Tasman relationship particularly dense. The CER agreement and movement mechanisms have distinct functions. Institutional cooperation includes regular consultations and programs to modernize economic connections.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07CER and the shared market
The Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement entered into force in January 1983.
Movement and citizenship
The 1973 Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangements facilitate visits, residence and work between the countries.
The roadmap to 2035
The leaders announced a roadmap to 2035 in 2023 and reiterated their support in August 2024.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 13,860.74 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / AUS |
| Goods: Australia to New Zealand | 8,388.8 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / AUS |
| Goods: New Zealand to Australia | 5,471.93 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / AUS |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Australia to New Zealand | 2.5 % | 2025 · UN Comtrade / AUS |
| Export share: New Zealand to Australia | ||
| Investment stock: Australia in New Zealand | ||
| Investment stock: New Zealand in Australia |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / AUS · Goods; full year; reporter AUS. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. Mirror reports are not added together.
- Goods: Australia to New Zealand
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / AUS · Goods; full year; reporter AUS. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. Mirror reports are not added together.
- Goods: New Zealand to Australia
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / AUS · Goods; full year; reporter AUS. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. Mirror reports are not added together.
- Export share: Australia to New Zealand
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / AUS · Goods share: AUS exports to the partner / exports by the same reporter to the world, same year.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 1.8 trillion USD2025 · WB | 264.06 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 65,129.72 USD2025 · WB | 49,591.04 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 1.35 %2025 · WB | 0.46 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 4.6 %2026-09-29 · RBA | |
| Inflation · annual average | 2.87 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 2.84 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 4 %Headline CPI · 2026-08 · year-on-year · ABS | |
| Unemployment | 4.09 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 5.08 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -2.8 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -3.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 51 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 54.7 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -2.68 %2025 · WB | -3.62 %2025 · WB |
| Population | 27,614,4112025 · WB | 5,324,7002025 · WB |
| Area | 7,741,220 km²2023 · WB | 267,710 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDAustralia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.New Zealand: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personAustralia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.New Zealand: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Australia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.New Zealand: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)Australia: 2026-09-29 · Cash rate target · RBA · Official central-bank decision; not a commercial lending rate or a bill yield.
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Australia: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.New Zealand: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedAustralia: 2026-08 · National headline CPI, change from the same month of the previous year · ABS · Published: 2026-09-30 · Official monthly data. Not mixed with the annual average. · Alternative official source; verified 2026-10-07
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionAustralia: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate, % of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.New Zealand: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Australia: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate, not a monthly observation. Retains the country's fiscal year where it differs from the calendar year.New Zealand: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Australia: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO estimate, not a monthly observation. Retains the country's fiscal year where it differs from the calendar year.New Zealand: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPAustralia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.New Zealand: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleAustralia: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.New Zealand: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceAustralia: 2023 · World Bank / FAO · Official World Bank series; latest verified period available for this series in the 2023–2025 query.New Zealand: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Australia to New Zealand
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 1,059 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 869.7 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 471.9 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 409 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 109.3 M USD2025 · Source |
New Zealand to Australia
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 331 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 181.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 167 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 93.5 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 90.3 M USD2025 · Source |
Connections between people
Education, work, visits and community connections have their own records and procedures. Residents are not equivalent to annual arrivals, and visits may be repeated. The tables retain dates, definitions and sources to distinguish these connections from business contracts and government decisions. [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Australia living in New Zealand | ||
| Residents from New Zealand living in Australia | ||
| Study and training: Australia in New Zealand | ||
| Study and training: New Zealand in Australia | ||
| Academic stays: Australia in New Zealand | ||
| Academic stays: New Zealand in Australia | ||
| Travel: Australia to New Zealand | ||
| Travel: New Zealand to Australia |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
CER and the shared market
The Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement entered into force in January 1983. The 2004 Single Economic Market agenda seeks to reduce the costs of duplicated or incompatible rules. Markets and regulation can affect established businesses, not only exports. The two states maintain their own institutions; economic integration does not amount to political union or a single fiscal authority. [1]
Movement and citizenship
The 1973 Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangements facilitate visits, residence and work between the countries. Since July 2023 certain New Zealanders resident in Australia may apply through a direct citizenship pathway subject to requirements. Traveling, residing and naturalizing are different statuses. Community estimates without an explicit date in the profile are not entered as current censuses in the numerical boxes. [1]
Defense and cooperation in the Pacific
The profile identifies ANZUS, the Canberra Pact and the Closer Defence Relations agreement, updated in 2018 and 2024. These instruments have functions different from CER. Pacific priorities include climate and regional cooperation, not exclusively military activities. A joint operation and the functioning of all defense mechanisms are not a single measure. [1]
The scale of the two economies
Australia recorded nominal GDP of 1798.5 billion USD in 2025, compared with 264.1 in 2025 for New Zealand. The reference populations were 27.61 million (2025) and 5.32 million (2025), respectively. In the same year, Australia's nominal GDP was 6.81 times that of New Zealand. The figures contextualize market size; they do not in themselves describe well-being, individual wealth or political influence. IMF estimates or demographic extrapolations retain their markings in the table. A ratio is not calculated when the periods do not match. [3] [4] [5] [6]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
The roadmap to 2035
The leaders announced a roadmap to 2035 in 2023 and reiterated their support in August 2024. Its horizon encompasses economies and regional priorities, with subsequent tasks. Regular ministerial meetings provide follow-up. The trade series accompanying the profile is a distinct annual observation, not a certificate of fulfillment of each multiyear goal. [1]
Observed economic exchange
In 2025, goods recorded between Australia and New Zealand totaled 13,860.7 million USD. Australia's shipments to New Zealand were 8388.8 million USD; those in the reverse direction were 5471.9 million USD. Australia's shipments to the partner represented 2.5% of its goods exports to the world, using the same year and reporting country. A single customs declaration is used for both directions. This annual flow does not include all services activity or subsidiaries' local sales and is not added to accumulated investment capital. [2]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, unit, definition and source. Announcements, contracts and results are not interchangeable. Empty cells do not mean zero. Customs data for 2025 are not presented as activity observed during later crises.
- Australia's relations with New Zealand
Australia DFAT · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual TOTAL X/M; 2025; reporter 36; partners 0,554,704
UN Comtrade / AUS · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; 2023–2025; country and period preserved; no military series
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- SP.POP.TOTL; 2023–2025; country and period preserved; no military series
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 27; 2025; reporter 36; partners 554,704; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / AUS · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 30; 2025; reporter 36; partners 554,704; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / AUS · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 84; 2025; reporter 36; partners 554,704; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / AUS · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 85; 2025; reporter 36; partners 554,704; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / AUS · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 87; 2025; reporter 36; partners 554,704; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / AUS · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / AUS
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 27; 2025; reporter 36; partners 554,704; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / AUS
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 85; 2025; reporter 36; partners 554,704; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / AUS
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 84; 2025; reporter 36; partners 554,704; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / AUS
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 87; 2025; reporter 36; partners 554,704; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / AUS
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 30; 2025; reporter 36; partners 554,704; X/M; annual goods.