New Zealand trainer Brendon Hawtin is to move to Australia to become an assistant to ex-pat kiwis Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young at their Cranbourne stable.

"The opportunity arose to be assistant trainer to Trent and Natalie and I will be applying for my trainers' license over there so it is too good to turn down," Hawtin told NZ Racing Desk.

"I've been friends with Trent and Natalie for years and they are flying over there, getting bigger and bigger. I will be taking over a new barn at Cranbourne to have 30 of their horses in work.

"I've always wanted to have a go in Australia at some stage and I had to grab this with two hands.

"I will finish up at my Cambridge stable on Friday."

Stephen Marsh, whose training operation is expanding, is stepping in to take over Hawtin's Cambridge stable and Hawtin's father Keith will reapply for his trainer's licence to continue the Te Awamutu stable, which he has been managing for his son.

"It's all worked out well," Hawtin said. "Initially when I get over to Aussie I'll probably end up back in Sydney for a month or so with some of Trent and Natalie's horses."

Hawtin made his mark in Sydney earlier this winter with Simply Optimistic, who won a race at Randwick.

Hawtin began training in 2006-07 with his father, who had topped the New Zealand premiership twice when in partnership with Graeme Rogerson.

Hawtin branched out on his own account when his father handed in his licence in 2015.

"The highlight so far was getting that win in Sydney with Simply Optimistic," he said. "I took a gamble and it paid off.

"Now I've got the opportunity to carry on from there in Aussie."