Following the lead of Irishman Australian Idol winner Damien Leith and local boy Michael Johns belting it in the US version, Kiwi Meryl Cassie has crossed the ditch to try her luck.

The amateur singer was to join more than 2000 Australian Idol hopefuls at Sydney's Australian Technology Park today when she auditions for the program's sixth series.

Failing to make New Zealand Idol in 2002, Cassie moved here permanently two months ago.

"I was young when I auditioned in New Zealand, so that time has given me the courage and confidence to give it another go,'' she said from her Bondi home.