Purchasing your first home
After being a member of KiwiSaver for three years you can apply to withdraw all or part of your KiwiSaver savings and use it towards the purchase price of your first home (however you must leave a minimum balance of $1,000 plus any amount transferred from an Australian superannuation fund in your KiwiSaver account).
You can learn more about using your KiwiSaver account to help purchase your first home here.
First home grant
Following on from the recent Government announcement, Kāinga Ora have advised that from 1pm on 22 May 2024 they are unable to accept any new applications for First Home Grants, however all applications lodged before then will continue to be processed.
Visit the Kāinga Ora website for more information.
There are some ways you can access your KiwiSaver savings in exceptional circumstances.
Significant financial hardship
If you are suffering or likely to suffer from significant financial hardship you can apply to withdraw some of your KiwiSaver money.
You can learn more about how to apply for a significant financial hardship withdrawal here.
Permanent emigration to Australia
If you have permanently emigrated to Australia, you can apply to transfer your KiwiSaver balance (including government contributions) to an Australian complying superannuation scheme.
If you’re in the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme or the Fisher Funds TWO KiwiSaver Scheme, please complete this form.
If you’re in the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan, please complete this form.
Permanent emigration to another country (not Australia)
If you have permanently emigrated from New Zealand to a country other than Australia and you have lived overseas for at least 12 months, you may be eligible to withdraw your KiwiSaver money (except for any government contributions).
If you’re in the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme or the Fisher Funds TWO KiwiSaver Scheme, please complete this form.
If you’re in the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan, please complete this form.
Serious illness
You can apply to withdraw your money before the age of 65 if you have a serious illness that:
means you are totally and permanently unable to engage in work for which you are suited because of experience, education, or training;
poses a serious and imminent risk of death.
You will need to include supporting medical evidence with your application. If your application is approved, you can choose to withdraw all the money in your account. In this case, your account will be closed.
If you’re in the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme or the Fisher Funds TWO KiwiSaver Scheme, please complete this form.
If you’re in the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan, please complete this form.
Life Shortening Congenital Condition
You can apply to withdraw your money before the age of 65 if you have suffered from a life-shortening congenital condition since you were born. Note that if you do make a withdrawal, you will no longer be eligible to receive government contributions or compulsory employer contributions.
You can apply to make a withdrawal if you have one of the following conditions:
Down syndrome
Cerebral palsy
Huntington's disease
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
You can also apply if you have a condition that's not on the list and your medical practitioner certifies that you suffer from a life-shortening congenital condition and that the condition is expected to reduce life expectancy below age 65.
If you’re in the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Scheme or the Fisher Funds TWO KiwiSaver Scheme, please complete this form.
If you’re in the Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan, please complete this form.
If you need any further information about any of the above withdrawals, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to help you out.