New Zealand citizens can apply for Permanent Residence (PR) in Australia. For many New Zealand citizens, permanent residency status is a necessary requirement in order to obtain citizenship in Australia.
A Skilled Independent visa, subclass 189, New Zealand stream, let's you live and work in Australia permanently.
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Permanent Residence for New Zealand citizens in Australia: Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), New Zealand stream
Permanent resident status can be obtained by New Zealand citizens in different pathways. When New Zealand citizens arrive in Australia, almost all are granted automatically a temporary visa called the Special Category visa (subclass 444). Simply by presenting your New Zealand citizen passport and incoming passenger card to immigration clearance you are deemed to have applied for the Special Category visa.
Since 1 July 2017, many New Zealand citizens may be eligible for permanent residency under the new Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), New Zealand stream.
Why would New Zealand citizens apply for permanent residency in Australia?
New Zealand citizens on a Special Category visa are entitled to stay indefinitely and also to work or study whilst they are a New Zealand citizen. However, Special Category visa holders are not entitled to many of the benefits which are associated with permanent residency such as:
- Social security payments (including income support)
- Student loans (HECS-HELP or VET FEE-HELP)
- Work for governmental departments or join the Australian Defence Force (many of these roles require applicants to be Australian citizens)
- The ability (eventually) to obtain Australian citizenship and vote in elections
- The right to sponsor their family members on a permanent visa
Since 1 July 2017, many New Zealand citizens may now be eligible for permanent residency under the new Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) New Zealand stream.
The New Zealand stream under the subclass 189 visa enables New Zealand Special Category visa holders to apply for permanent residency in Australia.
The key requirements are that the applicant:
- must have been usually resident in Australia on or before 19 February 2016;
- must have resided a total of at least 5 years in Australia at the time they lodge their application;
- must show taxable income which is at least equivalent to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (currently $53,900) for the required period i.e. the applicant must have contributed to Australia; and
- meets mandatory character, health and security requirements.
Are there other ways that New Zealand citizens can obtain permanent residency in Australia?
Yes, but the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) New Zealand stream is the easiest.
I am a New Zealand citizen. When can I apply for Australian citizenship?
The requirements for citizenship in essence depend upon whether you arrived in Australia before, or after, 26 February 2001.
New Zealand citizens who arrived in Australia before 26 February 2001
If you arrived in Australia prior to 26 February 2001 then you may be eligible to apply for citizenship.
Alternatively if you were not in Australia on 26 February 2001, but you have spent at least 12 months in Australia during the period 26 February 1999 – 26 February 2001 on a Special Category visa then you may also be eligible.
New Zealand citizens who arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001
If you arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001 then it is likely that you would need to obtain permanent residency before being able to obtain citizenship (as well as access the various benefits which come with permanent residency referred to above).
Accordingly, you may wish to consider one of the above pathways to permanent residency first.
For example, New Zealand citizens who are granted a visa under the new pathway provided by the New Zealand stream under the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) can apply for citizenship after 12 months.
You will find an overview on the requirements here: New Zealand citizens in Australia
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Permanent Residence and Citizenship for New Zealand citizens in Australia
Posted: Migration Agent
Published: 2019-06-06
Updated: 2022-01-22
