Australia has a tight-knit Jewish community of approximately 130,000 people: one of the most Zionist-connected communities in the Diaspora. While aliyah numbers from Australia are smaller in absolute terms than from the US, UK, or France, the proportion of Australian Jews who eventually make aliyah is remarkably high. If you’re considering making aliyah from Australia, this guide walks you through every step: from eligibility and documentation to superannuation, tax, dual citizenship, and life in Israel as an Australian Oleh.
Eligibility: Who Can Make Aliyah from Australia?
Israel’s Law of Return (1950), extended by the 1970 amendment, grants the right of aliyah to:
- Any person who is Jewish (born to a Jewish mother or converted)
- The child or grandchild of a Jewish person
- The spouse of a Jewish person, their child, or grandchild
Having at least one Jewish grandparent is typically sufficient. Religious observance is not required. You can confirm your eligibility through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s online portal or by contacting Nefesh B’Nefesh directly.
The Aliyah Process from Australia: Step by Step
Step 1: Register with Nefesh B’Nefesh
Begin at nbn.org.il. Create an applicant profile and submit your initial registration. NBN coordinates with the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Australia and New Zealand regional office (based in Sydney, with representation in Melbourne). An NBN coordinator will be assigned to guide you through the process.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Required documents for Australian applicants include:
- Australian birth certificate: Full extract from the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry in your state/territory
- Proof of Jewish identity: Jewish birth certificate, bar/bat mitzvah certificate, synagogue membership letter, or parents’/grandparents’ Jewish documentation
- Australian passport: Valid, with copies of all pages
- Australian Federal Police (AFP) criminal record check: A National Police Check from the Australian Federal Police or a state police service: obtainable online at afp.gov.au, typically within a few days
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Divorce documents (if applicable)
- Children’s birth certificates
- Passport-style photos
Step 3: Interview with the Jewish Agency
You’ll be invited for an interview at the Jewish Agency’s office: typically Sydney or Melbourne. The interview verifies your Jewish background and reviews your documentation. It is conducted in a supportive, non-adversarial manner. Most applicants describe it as a formality once documents are in order.
Step 4: Aliyah Visa
Upon approval, you receive an aliyah visa in your Australian passport. This visa can be used any time within a reasonable period after issuance: there’s no tight expiry. It entitles you to enter Israel as an Oleh Chadash rather than a tourist.
Step 5: Travel and Arrival
Nefesh B’Nefesh periodically organizes group aliyah flights from Australia (typically via a European hub). Individual travel is equally valid: simply arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and proceed to the Olim desk with your aliyah visa and documentation. You’ll receive your Teudat Oleh and begin the Israeli ID card process on arrival.
Australian-Specific Considerations
Superannuation: What Happens to Your Super?
This is the question Australian Olim ask most. The short answer: your superannuation stays in Australia until you reach preservation age (currently 60 for most Australians). You cannot access it early simply because you’ve made aliyah: departing Australia does not trigger an early release condition unless you meet specific criteria (such as being a temporary resident departing permanently, which does not apply to Australian citizens).
Your super fund will continue to hold your balance and generate returns (or losses) in Australian dollars. You can continue making voluntary contributions from overseas income if you choose, or simply leave it to grow until retirement age. At preservation age you can access it as a lump sum or income stream, which will then be subject to Australian tax rules and potentially Israeli tax rules depending on your residency status at that time. Seek advice from a financial advisor licensed in both Australia and Israel before making any decisions.
Australian Tax Residency After Aliyah
Australia taxes based on tax residency, not citizenship. If you permanently relocate to Israel, you should qualify to cease being an Australian tax resident: meaning Australian-source income (excluding certain passive income) won’t be subject to ongoing Australian tax. However, Australia taxes capital gains on Australian real estate regardless of where you live, and Australian-source dividends may be subject to withholding tax.
The ATO uses a facts-and-circumstances test to determine residency status. Filing a tax return for the year you depart, clearly establishing your departure date and Israeli residency, is important to formally break Australian tax residency. There is no bilateral tax treaty between Australia and Israel as comprehensive as the US-Israel or France-Israel treaties, so managing both tax regimes requires careful planning.
As a new Oleh, Israel’s 10-year foreign income tax exemption means that Australian-source income (investment returns, rental income, dividends) is generally exempt from Israeli tax for a decade. See our Israeli Tax System guide for details.
Dual Citizenship: Australia and Israel
Australia permits dual citizenship and does not require you to renounce Australian nationality when acquiring Israeli citizenship. You will hold both an Australian passport and an Israeli passport. An Australian passport is a significant travel document: offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to most of the world, and many Australian Olim maintain both passports actively.
Medicare: Does It Continue?
Australian Medicare coverage ceases when you establish permanent residency overseas. Once you’re enrolled in Israeli Kupat Cholim (the national health fund system), you have comprehensive healthcare coverage in Israel. You should notify Medicare of your departure and expect your Medicare card to become invalid for ongoing use. For trips back to Australia, travel insurance that covers healthcare is advisable.
Shipping from Australia
Shipping from Australia to Israel is logistically more complex and expensive than from Europe or North America. Most Australian Olim ship via sea freight from Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth to Ashdod or Haifa: transit times are typically 6-10 weeks. Carefully document all items for customs, and ensure your Teudat Oleh is in hand to claim the Oleh customs exemption on household goods. Many Australian Olim opt to ship only sentimental or high-value items and purchase furniture locally in Israel.
Where Australian Olim Live in Israel
The Australian Jewish community in Israel is smaller but well-connected. Australians tend to cluster with other English-speaking Olim in the following areas:
- Ra’anana: The go-to city for Anglo Olim. English is widely spoken, there’s an active Australian expat presence, and the community infrastructure (schools, shuls, sports clubs) is excellent.
- Modi’in: A planned city popular with young families, known for its strong English-speaking community and quality of life.
- Tel Aviv and Gush Dan: For younger, professionally-focused Olim: great tech job market, vibrant social scene, many English speakers.
- Jerusalem: Popular with more religiously connected Olim; strong yeshiva and seminary presence.
- Beit Shemesh and Efrat: Options for those seeking strong Anglo-religious communities at a lower cost than central Israel.
Your Oleh Benefits Package
As a new Oleh from Australia you receive the full Israeli absorption package, including:
- Sal klita (absorption basket): one-time grant plus monthly stipend for 6 months
- Free Ulpan (5-month Hebrew course)
- Rent assistance for up to 12 months
- Kupat Cholim (national health insurance) from day one
- Oleh car benefit: import or purchase one vehicle with reduced purchase tax
- Tax benefits: reduced income tax rates and foreign income exemption for 10 years
- University tuition discounts at Israeli universities
How long does aliyah from Australia take?
The process typically takes 4-8 months from starting the NBN application to receiving your aliyah visa. The main factor is document turnaround. Australian police checks are fast, but tracking down older Jewish community documents can take time. Allow at least 6 months from start to planned departure.
Can I access my superannuation early when I make aliyah?
No. Australian citizens and permanent residents cannot access super early simply by moving to Israel. Super remains preserved until you reach preservation age (60 for most). Only certain temporary visa holders departing Australia permanently can access super early. Consult a financial adviser before making aliyah if you have significant super balances.
Do I keep my Australian citizenship when I become an Israeli citizen?
Yes. Australia allows dual citizenship. You do not need to renounce your Australian passport or nationality. Both citizenships are permanent and renewable independently.
Is there a Jewish Agency office in Australia?
Yes. The Jewish Agency for Israel has offices in Sydney and Melbourne. Nefesh B’Nefesh works in coordination with these offices. You can also manage much of the application process online, with in-person interviews arranged locally when required.
What about military service for Australian Olim?
New Olim under 26 at the time of aliyah are generally subject to Israeli military service (IDF). Those who arrive between 18 and 26 will typically be drafted. Olim who arrive after age 26 are generally exempt, though some volunteer. The IDF has special frameworks for new Olim, including Garin Tzabar (solo soldiers living with Israeli host families) and units where English is commonly spoken.
Start Your Aliyah Journey from Australia
Making aliyah from Australia is a serious undertaking: the distance and logistics are real: but thousands of Australians have done it successfully and thrived in Israel. The support infrastructure from NBN, the Jewish Agency, and communities like Ra’anana means you’re never starting from zero.
Olim Paveway helps new immigrants navigate Israel from their first days to full integration. Reach out to learn how we can support your move.