Options for New Zealand Citizens

What are the options for New Zealand Citizens Living in Australia?

New Zealand citizens who have been living in Australia for a minimum of four years will be eligible to directly apply for Australian citizenship, eliminating the previous requirement of applying for a separate permanent visa beforehand.

All New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category Visa (SCV) Subclass 444 are regarded as permanent residents for citizenship purposes only. They are not deemed to be permanent residents for any other purpose, including the ability to sponsor for a family visa (unless an Eligible New Zealand Citizen, as below).

New Zealand citizens granted an SCV before 1 July 2022 will be deemed permanent residents for citizenship purposes from 1 July 2022. All others will be considered permanent residents for citizenship purposes from the date of their Subclass 444 grant.

New Zealand citizens applying for Australian Citizenship must meet the same requirements for residence and good character as other Citizenship applicants. Police clearances will be requested for all applicants over the age of 16.

Note that SCV Subclass 444 visas are granted to New Zealand Citizens at the Australian border, upon entry.

Born in Australia to New Zealand Citizen Parents?

You may be an Australian citizen already if you were born in Australia to New Zealand citizen parents. There are many different rules that apply. Please contact one of our advisers if you would like to discuss your eligibility.

Who is an Eligible New Zealand Citizen?

You are an Eligible New Zealand Citizen if:

You were in Australia on 26 February 2001 on an SCV, or
You were outside Australia on 26 February 2001, but you had spent at least 12 months in Australia on an SCV in the two years immediately before 26 February 2001, or
Have Centrelink certificate from before 26 February 2001 that shows you were living in Australia

Eligible New Zealand Citizens are treated as permanent residents for all visa purposes. This includes being able to sponsor family and obtain a Resident Return Visa.

Subclass 461 New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa

New Zealand Citizens who hold or are eligible for a subclass 444 Special Category visa can sponsor non-NZ Citizen family members to live with them in Australia. This includes a spouse, de facto partner, or child.

As part of the application process, applicants must be able to provide evidence demonstrating their relationship to the New Zealand Citizen, and that they meet health and character requirements.

The 461 visa is granted for 5 years at a time and can be renewed. The 461 does not transition to permanent residency.

A Partner visa may be possible if the New Zealand Citizen sponsor first becomes an Australian Citizen.