As a New Zealander, you have a unique opportunity if you’re considering a move to Australia. New Zealand and Australia have a Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement that allows their citizens to visit, study, live and work in either NZ or Australia for as long or little as they want.
Australia announced on 22 April 2023 a new direct pathway to citizenship for eligible New Zealand citizens who have lived in Australia for at least 4 years immediately before the day you apply.
The changes will come into effect from 1 July 2023 this year and be retrospective.
Read more on my direct pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders in Australia post.
As an NZ citizen, you will be automatically granted a non-protected Special Category Visa (SCV) when you process through Australian border control, subject to meeting the health and character requirements (read more below). There is no mention of this at border control. It all happens electronically. The SCV is automatically cancelled upon departing Australia.
If you are not an NZ citizen, the process is quite different, as you will need to apply for a visa before you can travel to Australia. For more information on Australian visas, please visit the Australian Government – Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.
In this post, you will find information on the following:
Visas are official documents issued by a country that permit foreign nationals to live or stay there.
Since 1973, the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement has allowed Australian and New Zealand citizens to freely visit, live, and work in each other’s countries without needing a visa or special entry authority.
Migration between the two countries often reflects economic conditions. When New Zealand’s economy is under pressure, it’s common to see more New Zealanders moving to Australia in search of better opportunities.
As an NZ citizen, you do not need to apply for an Australian visa before you leave NZ. Upon entering Australia, you present your New Zealand passport for immigration clearance. Once done, you are considered to have applied for a visa and, subject to health or character considerations, will automatically receive a non-protected Special Category Visa (SCV). The SCV is recorded electronically.
To be granted an SCV when you enter Australia, you must:
If you meet the eligibility requirements (below), you will be granted an SCV.
If you leave Australia, your SCV will cease. The next time you enter, if you meet the eligibility requirements, you will be granted a new SCV.
The SCV is a temporary visa (non-protected). SCV holders do not have the same rights and benefits as Australian citizens or permanent residents. Close but not the same.
Note that New Zealand permanent residents are not entitled to the Special Category Visa. You will need to apply for a visa to live and work in Australia. Read on to find out how.
There are some restrictions on the SCV for New Zealanders moving to Australia, but only two:
Because the Special Category Visa (SCV) is granted electronically, you don’t receive a physical visa or documentation. If you need proof of your right to live and work in Australia, such as for an employer, you can obtain your SCV details through the Department of Home Affairs.
To request your SCV details online, you will need one of the following reference types:
However, as a New Zealand citizen, you won’t have a TRN, Evidence Number, or Grant Number (because you don’t formally apply for the SCV). Instead, you’ll need to call Visa General Enquiries on 131 881 and request a VEVO password.
You will now be able to view your SCV details and can choose to email them directly to yourself or another party.
For full instructions, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
While the Special Category Visa (SCV) allows New Zealand citizens to live and work in Australia, it does come with a number of exclusions that may affect you and your family.
The biggest limitation is around access to government support. New Zealanders living in Australia on an SCV are not entitled to all government benefits and are not eligible for student loans.
In addition, there are waiting periods before you can access certain government payments; this is known as the Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period (more information below).
For a full breakdown of these limitations, see my detailed post on SCV exclusions.
If you arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001 as a New Zealand citizen, you would be considered a non-protected SCV-holder. This means that you are not considered an Australian resident for social security purposes.
NZ citizens on a protected SCV can apply for citizenship, subject to meeting the usual eligibility criteria.
Non-protected SCV holders do not have the same rights and benefits as Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents. Australian authorities can also cancel an SCV if a person fails certain character and health requirements, such as committing a crime or having untreated TB.
You can visit, study, live and work in Australia for as long as you want. A non-protected SCV should entitle you to the following. Please note that some government help might still have a waiting period (info below):
The Parliament of Australia website has a quick guide to entitlements.
Please note that most of the above government benefits/support have wait times before you can claim them (see below).
Temporary visa holders are not entitled to:
Eligible New Zealand citizens (or protected SCV holders) are eligible for more government help. These include:
You can contact the relevant department to find out if you are eligible.
Since the new direct pathway to Australian citizenship has been set up, the benefits and payments New Zealand citizens can get from the Australian government have not changed!
The newly arrived resident’s waiting period (NARWP) is the time spent in Australia as an Australian resident. This means that if you travel overseas, the time you’re away from Australia won’t count towards the waiting period.
New residents may have to wait up to 4 years before they can get most Australian government payments, concessions, and health care cards. A maximum 2-year waiting period applies if you’re the holder of either:
Read more about the waiting periods for newly arrived residents on the Australian government website Services Australia. The waiting periods below are for New Zealand citizens living in Australia on an SCV.
If you’re an NZ citizen living in Australia, you are eligible for some Centrelink payments or concession cards.
If you live in Australia and you are a non-protected SCV holder, you can apply for the following:
If you have served or have an exemption from the newly arrived resident’s waiting period (full list), you may also be able to claim:
If you’ve lived in Australia continuously for at least 10 years, you may be able to get a one-off period of payment. This is a single period of up to 6 months for one of the following payments:
You may also be able to get the Tertiary Access Payment.
The continuous 10-year period of living in Australia needs to be immediately before claiming.
If you are a New Zealand citizen and your family members are:
If you have had a New Zealand citizen baby born in Australia, please see if you had a baby for further information.
To sponsor a family member for Australian permanent residence, you must be:
If you are an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen and your children were born in Australia, they may already be Australian citizens. You can apply for their proof of citizenship.
For most New Zealanders, the answer is no.
As an NZ citizen, you are automatically granted a Special Category Visa (SCV) when you arrive in Australia. This visa allows you to live, work, study, and stay in Australia lawfully for as long as you remain a New Zealand citizen—without needing to apply for permanent residency (PR).
Since the introduction of the direct pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders in Australia, there’s even less reason to apply for PR. Eligible NZ citizens are now considered to have the same standing as permanent residents from the moment they arrive, making PR applications unnecessary in most cases.
Specialist immigration companies can save you time, money, and stress when applying for a visa. That said, you don’t have to hire someone to submit your application—you can research and apply for a visa yourself directly through the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.
That being said, if you’re not an NZ citizen, have a history of imprisonment for over a year, or face unique circumstances that may complicate your application, seeking professional advice from an immigration specialist is often worthwhile and can give you peace of mind.
You can search for a registered immigration specialist on the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) website. If you’re based in New Zealand, try searching for advisers in Auckland who specialise in Australian visas.
I don’t have an immigration specialist partner. However, I recommend you check out IMMagine. They offer a free preliminary evaluation to establish which Visa category may suit you and whether it’s worth your while to order a comprehensive full assessment. Not many immigration companies do this.
The next step is a full assessment, during which IMMagine will develop your detailed strategy, timeline, and pricing structure in person or on Skype. Naturally, a small cost applies to this complete and comprehensive assessment.
For a small fee (AUD$15.00), you can post your question online, and one of the IMMagine team will contact you with your answer within 24 hours (usually same-day response). This service is designed for people who need quick access to accurate information but don’t want to search online to find the answers. Most importantly, your questions are answered by licensed advisers living in New Zealand or Australia.
If you’re planning to move to Australia and have a criminal conviction, you may be worried about whether it will affect your ability to enter the country. If this is you or someone you love, read my post on moving to Australia with a criminal conviction.
For New Zealanders with a criminal history, it’s important to get written confirmation from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) before travelling. If you have served a prison sentence of 12 months or more, you will need to apply for an Australian visa rather than relying on a Special Category Visa (SCV).
There are a lot of ways to get Australian visa and citizenship information and help on the internet. A few of the links are below:
The posts below might interest you:
If you’ve read the above content and the answer to your question isn’t there, please write a comment below and I’ll research the answer for you.
If you need advice on moving to Australia from New Zealand, I’ve created a helpful little questionnaire to point you in the right direction. It takes less than 30 seconds, so give it a go!
Hi… I’m JJ Smith.
I’m the creator and editor of Moving to Australia and have been for 17+ years! I know everything there is to know about New Zealanders moving their families and life to Australia. Either from first hand experiences and research or through the questions from visitors to this website… and I’m here to help!
I love helping people via Moving to Australia.
Providing the answers to questions we all ask when deciding whether to make the move from New Zealand to Australia. Even giving individual specific advice where needed.
I have learned a lot over the last 17+ years from personal experience and through interacting with visitors. This is my job, making sure the information here is comprehensive and up to date.
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alex
February 19, 2021 at 2:51 pmHi JJ,
Trust you are well.
My question is, if a Kiwi who is living in another country and married a wife over 10 years (she is not a Kiwi); they have 2 kids. Can she move to Australia together with his husband and the kids? If so, what visa will she require to live in Australia?
Kind regards,
Alex
JJ Smith
February 21, 2021 at 9:29 pmHi Alex,
Thank you for your comment.
Unfortunately I am not an immigration specialist so cannot advise you.
I recommend you contact IMMagine, as they will be able to help you: http://www.immigration.co.nz/.
They offer a free preliminary evaluation (http://www.immigration.co.nz/assessments/free-evaluation/) to establish which Visa category may suit you and whether it’s worth your while ordering a comprehensive full assessment (http://www.immigration.co.nz/assessments/full-assessment/). Not many immigration companies do this. Next step is a full assessment where IMMagine will develop your detailed strategy, timeline and pricing structure in-person or on Skype. Naturally, a small cost applies for this full and comprehensive assessment.
You can also ask them the question for the small fee of AUD$15 and one of the team will be in touch with your answer within 24 hours (usually same day response), but you will need to include more information about your wife than you provided me: http://www.immigration.co.nz/ask-us-question/ask-us/.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Caroline
June 1, 2020 at 11:01 pmHi JJ,
I hope you are doing well in these challenging times.
We have moved to Melbourne in January. What a great timing!
I am looking at working on our resident visa. But I have questions as I am not sure about the points I can claim or not.
Do you have a reliable immigration agent you can recommend?
An other question is about the pension should we stay in Australia.
Is that correct that without a proper resident visa, New Zealanders are not eligible to receive a pension from the Australian government? But then we would not have the NZ one either?
Thank you,
Keep safe,
Caroline
JJ Smith
June 3, 2020 at 11:02 pmHi Caroline,
That’s great that you moved before Covid-19.
Check out Immagine Immigration – http://www.immigration.co.nz/.
They offer a free Preliminary Evaluations that let you know whether or not you’re a good candidate for migration – http://www.immigration.co.nz/assessments/free-evaluation/ and they can answer any questions you have.
The free evaluation includes:
– A basic overview of your information.
– A licensed adviser will contact you to let you know whether they think it’s worth your while to take the next step in defining a strategy for your migration.
If you’re really serious about moving to Australia then you can complete a full assessment – this option covers all your bases and provides you with a cost, timeline and strategy outline for a potential move.
Immigration specialists save you a lot of time and give you a better chance of getting an Australia visa.
Regarding Australia pensions, New Zealanders are eligible to get the pension in Australia. Here is a link to my post ‘Can a NZ citizen get an Australian benefit or pension?’ – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/can-a-nz-citizen-get-an-australian-benefit-or-pension/.
Thanks
Raymon Raj
May 4, 2020 at 4:55 amHi JJ how are you? I am from Malaysia and has been living and working in NZ for the past five years. I moved to NZ because my wife received a scholarship to pursue her PhD studies here. She has completed her studies and now working in NZ too. I have been thinking of getting a job in Australia but i don’t have a valid working visa. I have written to companies and recruitment agencies in Australia but they asked me to obtain a working visa first in order to be considered for roles there. I know getting a work visa sponsorship is hard but i don’t know where to start from. Are there anyways or options that i can take to get a working visa? FYI i am 46 and hold an MBA. I am currently waiting for my Permanent Resident status from IMMI NZ which was delayed due to the COVID thingy.
I would also like to ask if a young student is pursuing a study in Aust, do the person get a working visa after completion of his or her studies? Like in NZ, if you complete a study, you are granted working visa by the govt. Is it the same in Aust? What happens if i pursue a study too? Will i get a work visa also?
Thanks for your advice.
JJ Smith
May 25, 2020 at 11:26 pmHi Raymon,
Thank you for your comment, but unfortunately I am unable to help.
You are going to have to contact an immigration specialist. You can find an immigration specialist on the Australian Government website, Migration Agents Registration Authority (https://www.mara.gov.au/). Search Auckland for advisers specialising in Australia.
I have never heard of a the Australia government granting working visa’s for this who have studied in Australia and can not find any info online regarding this sorry.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
Simon
April 2, 2020 at 3:24 amHi I have been Australia for 6 weeks caught out on an ad for work that was below min rate. And I could not stomach the bore water an got sick an had to leave. What options are there for people here in similar boat if any?
JJ Smith
April 2, 2020 at 3:26 amHi Simon,
Where are you now?
Were you employed on the 1 March 2020?
I don’t know of any Australia Government help other than the JobKeeper, which is government assistance to help businesses to keep people in their jobs and re-start when the Covid-19 crisis is over. For employees, it means they can keep their job and earn an income, even if their hours have been cut.
I have updated my Covid-19 blog post with further information: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/covid-19-help-for-new-zealanders-living-in-australia/.
Regarding COVID-19 in NZ, the New Zealand Government website COVID-19 has everything you need to know, including what help is available: https://covid19.govt.nz/.
Good luck and stay safe.
George
January 24, 2020 at 12:21 amHello,
I hold a New Zealand passport and I’m moving to the Gold Coast Broadbeach this year. Probably October. I have signed a purchase agreement for a new apartment in Broadbeach. It should be ready for moving in to by the end of this year. My wife is Canadian. What is the correct visa she should use to enter Australia? We eventually will try to get permanent residence then citizenship.
We already have opened a bank account in Southport.
Many thanks,
George
JJ Smith
January 24, 2020 at 12:22 amHi George,
Thank you for your message.
Unfortunately I am unable to help. I am not an immigration specialist and only know about New Zealanders moving to Australia. However, you should be able to figure it out on the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Rebecca
January 15, 2020 at 10:31 pmHi, please could i ask for your help.
I am a sole parent wanting to move to Melbourne with my 2 children one of which has a disability to start a new life.
I have just found out that i am not entitled to Family Tax A or accommodation supplement from Centrelink and i am worried i wont be able to make this move.
I have booked tickets for myself to go to Melbourne on the 28th of January to sort out schools for my children but now wonder how i will be able to cope financially.
I so want to do this as there is no future for where we live in the country in the middle of nowhere.
When i phoned Centrelink they did say there is a 1 to 2 year waiting period to receive Family Tax A and this possibly could be waived but it is done on a case by case basis. Have you heard anything about this? If so how could i improve my chances.
Any information would be greatly appreciated. I am aware i am eligible for family tax B but this is only $55 per week.
Hopefully hear from you soon
Kind regards
Rebecca
JJ Smith
February 3, 2020 at 10:34 pmHi Rebecca,
Thank you for your email and sorry for the delay in replying.
How did you get on when you visited?
Are you planning on moving on an unprotected SCV? If so then you will be under financial pressure as you will not get support from the Australia government, as you will not be eligible for the Disability Insurance Scheme.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services are restricted to Australian citizens, permanent residents and Protected Special Category Visa-holders (PSCVs). New Zealanders residing in Australia as non-protected Special Category Visa-holders (SCVs) are temporary residents under the Migration Act when it comes to disability help.
Here is the NDIS eligibility checklist: https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/am-i-eligible.
If you have any questions regarding eligibility, you can contact the National Disability Insurance Agency directly on 1800 800 110 to submit an Access Request Form, or visit the national NDIS website (http://www.ndis.gov.au/).
You will need to become a Permanent Resident and then Citizen: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/become-an-australian-permanent-resident-and-australia-citizen/.
The only positive I can give you is that there is a group planning a class action lawsuit to change citizenship laws and give New Zealanders them the dole and right to vote, which might end up improving the disability support too: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7935901/Kiwis-Australia-call-Russell-Crowe-class-action-lawsuit-stop-discrimination.html?fbclid=IwAR1glNnhAaDCEylOSyRF0ocV6Aj_WZbf3LO0VAmNP5YzuNcVCx8-ArCnfpc. I have contacted the company and are going to keep my newsletter database up to date with any news.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Rod
December 13, 2019 at 10:19 pmHi, We are a retired couple contemplating a move back to Queensland due to health reasons,
We previously lived in Queensland from 1980 to 1987 then again in 2000 to 2001,
Would we be eligible for a resident return visa or would that even be necessary as we not working
and would we be able to claim Medicare?
Thanks Rod
JJ Smith
December 13, 2019 at 10:22 pmHi Rod,
Thanks for you email.
As you lived in Australia before 1 September 1994 and cleared customs you should be eligible for the Resident Return Visa. This visa costs AUD$375 if you apply online, AUD$455 for each applicant if you apply on paper.
Without the visa you would still be able to get Medicare, but if you or your wife suffered anything serious and needed Government support you would not be eligible for Disability Insurance Scheme or the Disability Support Pension.
Below are links to further information on the Resident Return Visa:
– Check your eligibility – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/resident-return-visa-155-157#Eligibility.
– Step by step process – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/resident-return-visa-155-157#HowTo.
– When you have this visa – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/resident-return-visa-155-157#When.
– Apply online now – https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login.
If you haven’t read this post on ‘can a NZ citizen get an Australian benefit or pension?’, it may be of interest to you: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/can-a-nz-citizen-get-an-australian-benefit-or-pension/.
As would the foreign exchange post, which can save you hundreds to thousands when transferring money to Australia. Both companies have fantastic customer service, so if you are not confident with technology they can talk you through setting up your account: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/foreign-exchange-money-transfer/.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Kenny
August 12, 2019 at 1:44 amHi ~
Thanks for helping people who’s moving to Australia.
I have an NZ citizenship and wish to move to Brisbane shortly.. also I will buy a house and existing cafe business.
Do I have any restrictions to buy a cafe & running a business in Australia ?
Thank you
Kind Regards
Kenny
JJ Smith
August 12, 2019 at 1:45 amHi Kenny,
Thanks for your comment.
There is not a lot of information online regarding New Zealanders owing a business in Australia, so I contacted the Department of Industry Australia (https://www.business.gov.au/Guide/Starting).
They have advised if you are able to work on your Australian Visa, which we are on an SCV, you are able to obtain an ABN and own a business in Australia!
I am guessing you will be transferring a lot of money to Australia to buy the house and cafe. I highly recommend you read this post as you will want to get the best foreign exchange rate when it’s time: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/foreign-exchange-money-transfer/.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move. How exciting for you.
Khamid
April 8, 2019 at 10:58 pmHi
I just want to ask if you know anything about changes to Special Category visa (subclass 444) for Kiwis who want to move to Australia on NZ passport.
I heard that Australian Government wants to make some changes this year and introduce some restrictions for Special Category visa (subclass 444).
Thanks
JJ Smith
April 8, 2019 at 11:10 pmHi Khamid,
Thank you for your email.
Both the New Zealand and Australian Governments are always in discussions over the SCV. However, no changes have been reported.
I recommend you subscribe to my monthly newsletter (above right) because I will let you know when any changes get announced. I am constantly looking and reporting on anything that kiwi’s living in Australia need to know.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
sandra M hancox
April 2, 2019 at 1:51 amI am on a NZ super gold card holder – am aged 70 – – -I have been told when I am living there to apply for the aust pension – is that correct please ?
I need to know all the steps I will need to take to apply for the equivalent in australia once I have set up my new home there
JJ Smith
April 9, 2019 at 12:27 amHi Sandra,
Thank you for your comment.
Yes you will need to apply for the Australia Age Pension when you are living in Australia.
Below is a link to the Department of Human Services website where you can check your eligibility, find out how to claim and related payment, services and subjects to help you with the Age Pension – https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/age-pension.
Here are the steps to claim age pension including a video about claiming – https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/age-pension/how-claim.
How to make your claim:
1. Sign in to myGov and go to Centrelink.
2. Select Payments and Claims from the menu, then Claims, then Make a claim.
3. Under Seniors, select Get started.
4. Answer all the questions. Each screen has information to help you complete the claim. This includes submitting your supporting documents and any other forms you need to complete.
5. Submit your claim.
Are you selling a home here and planning on buying over there? If so the below links will help you keep more of your hard earned cash:
– https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/are-new-zealand-citizens-eligible-for-australias-first-home-owners-grant/
– https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/foreign-exchange-money-transfer/
Please email any further questions you have.
Eileen
December 2, 2018 at 11:08 pmHi,
We have made the decision to relocate from NZ to Brisbane on 5 April 2019.
I suddenly panicked as wondering if we are supposed to apply for any visas or immigration.
I would appreciate any guidance if you could please.
Thank you
Eileen (Hamilton NZ)
JJ Smith
December 2, 2018 at 11:10 pmHi Eileen,
Thank you for your comment.
Brisbane is such a wonderful city. I’m sure you’ll love it.
Are you an NZ citizen? If you are then you do not need to apply for a Visa, you will automatically receive a Special Category Visa (SCV). The SCV is recorded electronically.
There are some downfalls to moving on a SCV, which you can read here: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/scv-visa-exclusions/.
I will be writting some posts on becoming a Australian PR and citizen, so make sure you join our monthly newsletter, which has great info for New Zealanders moving and living in Australia.
Good luck with your move.
Tommy
August 8, 2018 at 8:13 amHi there,
I’m an NZ citizen. I’m planning to move to Aus, around the Woolongong area, ASAP after Dec this year.
I have some simple questions that I’m trying to get answered. So far every agency I ask has redirected me to pay a lot per hour to have a migration agent answer my questions.
Are you able to answer my questions, which are:
– If I apply for a permanent residency visa (such as the 189 Skilled Independent Visa) does my special category visa (which I have as an NZ citizen) get put on hold? Meaning I wouldn’t be able to visit or move to Aus in the time between when I apply for permanent residence and when it’s confirmed (which could be some time)?
– In December I will complete a qualification which is listed on the current list of jobs in demand in Aus. If I applied now would they likely decline my application, or would they likely approve it pending my qualification in December? I’m wanting to apply ASAP to reduce the admin time.
– Does it help that my dad is an Aus citizen?
JJ Smith
September 5, 2018 at 9:39 pmHi Tommy,
Thank you for your comment. Sorry for the delay in replying. I’ve only just seen your comment because of spam.
Unfortunately I am not an immigration specialist, so I can only answer with my experience, which is limited.
Firstly, was your Dad an Australian citizen when you were born?
For Australian citizenship by descent eligibility you must have been born outside Australia and at least one of your parents must have been an Australian citizen when you were born.
I will send you further information on the above if this is the case. This would make your life a lot easier and cheaper.
Thanks,
JJ Smith
Nikki
November 7, 2015 at 5:03 amI am an Australian citizen living in New Zealand, my partner is a New Zealand citizen but was born in Australia after august 1986 (his mother was a NZ citizen living in Australia but moved back to nz when he was one). He lived in aus on and off for about 10 years and has a daughter who is an Australian citizen living in Australia. I would like to move back to Australia but my partner has had criminal convictions here (he hasn’t served any jail time and none are drug related), I was wondering if his ties to Australia through myself and his daughter may still be strong enough for him to be able to move back there.
JJ Smith
November 7, 2015 at 5:03 amHi Nikki,
Thank you for your comment.
From the information provided it looks like you will be fine to move back to Australia. Especially since your partner hasn’t severed any jail time.
However, I do recommend your partner complete the Visa wizard to confirm: https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1.
Good luck with your move.
Steve J
August 10, 2015 at 5:49 amHello,
I moved to australia in 1979 from New Zealand. I lived in brisbane, QLD for 23 years until 2002 when I moved back to NZ to care for a sick mother. My children and grandchildren are still in Brisbane and are Australian Citizens now.
We are going to move back to australia early next year and live there permanently.
I read that all NZ citizens that were living in Australia on February 2001 were grandfathered as australian permanent residents ?
Having being out of australia for the last 13 years my question is am I still classed as a full permanent resident of australia once I move back there early next year for medicare and age benefits once I retire there. I am 63 and due to retire in 2 years time..
I still have current bank a/cs, credit cards, super, tax file number, OZ licence etc.
JJ Smith
August 10, 2015 at 5:50 amHi Steve,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Unfortunately I don’t know the answer to this. I recommend calling a Australian immigration specialist and asking them. You can find an immigration specialist on the Australian Government website, Migration Agents Registration Authority (https://www.mara.gov.au/). Search Auckland for advisers specialising in Australia.
Or you could call the Australian Government, Department of Immigration and Citizenship: http://www.immi.gov.au/.
Good luck with your move.
Paul
August 4, 2015 at 3:08 pmI have been offered a job in aus, do I need any visa to work there? will be ok as long as I have my nz passport?
JJ Smith
August 7, 2015 at 7:07 amHi Paul,
Thank you for your enquiry.
As you have an NZ passport you will automatically be given a SCV on arrival in Australia. You do not need to do anything else to be able to work there.
However I do recommend you organise the below before you leave:
– Australian Bank Account, easier to do before you leave, as you need more documentation if you wait until your in OZ – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/money/bank-account.html
– Foreign Exchange, save hundreds to thousands with rates that the banks will never match – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/nzforex-foreign-exchange.html
– Move your personal effects to Australia – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/moving/moving-company.html
And these as soon as you arrive:
– Australia version of IRD number, you should apply for a TFN number as soon as you arrive in Australia. You are not able to apply from New Zealand: https://iar.ato.gov.au/iarweb/default.aspx?pid=4&sid=1&outcome=1
– Medicare, you need to apply in person at a Medicare office. It is recommended you wait one week after your arrival in Australia before applying, to allow time for Medicare to receive your visa details from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. Please bring your passport or travel document with you.
– Connect your utilities easily with On The Move, connect electricity, gas, water, broadband and telephone in one easy phone call, with competitive energy rates and all the latest deals- https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/real-estate/on-the-move.html.
Good luck with your move.