Lyla Lindsey
New Zealand citizens are granted a Special Category Visa (SCV) when they enter Australia, which allows them to live, work, and study indefinitely in the country. However, SCV holders do not have the same rights and benefits as Australian citizens or permanent residents. NZ citizens who have been living in Australia for four years or more are eligible to apply for Australian citizenship. There are additional pathways to permanent residency for NZ citizens who have lived in Australia for at least five years and have demonstrated a commitment to the country through contributions such as income tax returns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa required | Special Category Visa (subclass 444) |
| Visa holder entitlements | Live, work, and study in Australia for as long as NZ citizenship is maintained |
| Visa restrictions | Does not confer the same rights and entitlements as permanent residency or citizenship |
| Visa eligibility | Must be a NZ citizen |
| Pathway to permanent residency | Live in Australia for four consecutive years on a Special Category Visa |
| Pathway to citizenship | Live in Australia for four years on a valid visa or 12 months as a permanent resident |
| Additional pathway to permanent residency | Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa for NZ citizens residing in Australia before 19 February 2016 and for at least five years |
| Application process for Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa | Invitation through SkillSelect |
| Visa exemptions | Subclass 186 or 187 visa holders working with their nominating employer for two years on a subclass 444 or 461 visa |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility criteria for permanent residency
As an NZ citizen, you are granted a Special Category Visa (SCV) when you enter Australia. This allows you to live, work, or study in Australia as long as you remain an NZ citizen, subject to health or character considerations. However, an SCV is not a permanent visa, and therefore, you will not have the same rights and benefits as Australian citizens or permanent residents.
To be eligible for Australian permanent residency, you must have lived in Australia on a valid visa for four years and not been absent from Australia for more than one year, or have been living in Australia for 12 months as a permanent resident. From 1 July 2023, NZ citizens can apply for Australian citizenship without first becoming permanent residents.
If you are a subclass 186 or 187 visa holder and have worked with your nominating employer in your nominated occupation for the last two years (excluding any period of unpaid leave) on a 444 or 461 visa in the three years before the visa application, you will be exempt from providing a skills assessment.
On 19 February 2016, the Australian Government announced an additional pathway to Australian permanent residence for NZ citizens who have been living in Australia for at least five years and have shown a commitment and continuous contribution to the country. This pathway is for New Zealand Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV) holders who were usually resident in Australia on or before 19 February 2016 and who, at the time of lodging an application, have resided in Australia for at least five years.
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$29.95 $49.95
Visa requirements
New Zealand citizens are granted a Special Category Visa (SCV) when they enter Australia, which allows them to live, work, or study in Australia as long as they remain NZ citizens. However, this is not a permanent visa, and SCV holders do not have the same rights and benefits as Australian citizens or permanent residents. To become a permanent resident of Australia, NZ citizens need to meet certain criteria and choose the right visa for their situation.
One pathway to Australian permanent residency for NZ citizens is the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa, which was introduced in 2017. To be eligible for this visa, NZ citizens must have been usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of five years immediately prior to their application and must have commenced that period of usual residence on or before 19 February 2016. This visa pathway also requires applicants to demonstrate a commitment and continuous contribution to Australia, which can be done through income tax returns showing taxable income equivalent to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold.
Another option for NZ citizens to obtain Australian permanent residency is through the subclass 186 or 187 visa. If an individual holds one of these visas and has worked with their nominating employer in their nominated occupation for the last two years (excluding any period of unpaid leave), they may be exempt from providing a skills assessment when applying for Australian permanent residency.
It is important to note that the requirements and pathways to Australian permanent residency for NZ citizens may change over time, and it is recommended to refer to the official Australian immigration resources or seek advice from a migration specialist for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
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Application process
On 19 February 2016, the Australian Government announced a pathway to Australian permanent residence for New Zealand citizens who have been living in Australia for at least five years. This pathway is a stream within the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa. To be eligible, you must be a New Zealand Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV) holder, usually resident in Australia on or before 19 February 2016, and have resided in Australia for at least five years at the time of application.
If you are a subclass 186 or 187 visa holder and have worked with your nominating employer in your nominated occupation for the last two years (not including any period of unpaid leave) on a 444 or 461 visa, you will be exempt from providing a skills assessment.
As an SCV holder, you can live, work, and study in Australia as long as you remain a New Zealand citizen, but you do not have the same rights and benefits as permanent residents or citizens. After living in Australia for four consecutive years, you can apply for Australian citizenship. From 1 July 2023, NZ citizens who have lived in Australia for four years or more can apply directly for Australian citizenship without first becoming permanent residents.
To apply for Australian permanent residency, you will need to contact the Australian Department of Home Affairs to find out more about the residency or citizenship application process and requirements.
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Rights and entitlements
As a New Zealand citizen, you have the right to apply for permanent residency in Australia and subsequently, Australian citizenship.
If you hold a Special Category Visa (SCV) (subclass 444), you can live, work, and study in Australia for as long as you like. However, as the holder of this visa, you do not have the same rights and entitlements as permanent residents or citizens.
If you have been living in Australia for four years or more as of 1 July 2023, you are eligible to apply directly for Australian citizenship without first becoming a permanent resident. If you arrived before 26 February 2001 and are considered an 'eligible NZ citizen' or a 'Protected SCV holder', you can continue to apply directly for Australian citizenship.
As a permanent resident, you will have some entitlements, but they will not be the same as those granted to citizens. For example, as an SCV holder, you are considered a permanent resident for the purposes of citizenship, and you immediately meet the 12-month permanent residence requirement.
To apply for Australian citizenship, you must meet additional criteria, including residence and good character requirements.
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Pathway to citizenship
On 1 July 2023, the Australian Government introduced a new rule that allows NZ citizens who have been living in Australia for 4 years or more to apply directly for Australian citizenship. Prior to this, NZ citizens were required to become permanent residents first.
NZ citizens are automatically granted an SCV (Special Category Visa) when they enter Australia. This visa allows them to live, work, or study in Australia as long as they remain NZ citizens and meet the health and character requirements. However, it is important to note that SCV holders do not have the same rights and benefits as Australian citizens or permanent residents.
To become a permanent resident, NZ citizens need to identify the appropriate visa for their situation and meet the eligibility criteria. One pathway to permanent residency is the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa, which was introduced in 2017 for NZ citizens who were usually resident in Australia on or before 19 February 2016 and who have resided in Australia for at least five years.
Once NZ citizens have obtained permanent residency or lived in Australia for the required period, they can apply for Australian citizenship. In addition to the residency requirement, there may be other criteria to meet, such as demonstrating good character.
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Frequently asked questions
To be eligible for Australian permanent residency, NZ citizens must have lived in Australia for at least four years and must not have been absent from Australia for more than one year. Alternatively, they must have lived in Australia for 12 months as a permanent resident.
NZ citizens are granted an SCV (Special Category Visa) when they enter Australia. This allows them to live, work, or study as long as they remain NZ citizens. However, as an SCV is not a permanent visa, visa holders do not have the same rights as Australian citizens or permanent residents. NZ citizens can apply for the Skilled Independent 189 (subclass) visa, which was previously known as the Skilled Independent 189 (New Zealand) stream.
To be eligible for this visa, NZ citizens must have been usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of five years immediately prior to their application and must have commenced that period of usual residence on or before 19 February 2016.
NZ citizens can contact the Australian Department of Home Affairs to find out more about residency or citizenship in Australia.
