New Zealanders who have moved to Australia or are planning on moving, should look into how to become a Permanent Resident and then Citizen because in the long run it’s better for your new life. Especially your kids.
Editor’s Note: I am not an immigration specialist and you still may need to contact one for advice. You can find out how to below.
However, in saying that, I know a lot of Kiwi’s who have used the below to become an Australian Permanent Resident and then go onto becoming an Australia Citizen.
Below you will find information on:
As you a New Zealand Citizen you will automatically get granted a Special Category Visa (SCV) on arrival. If you are only planning on staying for a few years then you will not need to worry about the below. It’s only if you plan on staying in Australia indefinitely.
FYI if you become an Australian Citizen you will stay a New Zealand Citizen and can move back whenever you want (Dual Citizenship).
There are a number of exclusions to Government help that you should be aware of when moving to Australia on a SCV.
As a kiwi you are able to live and work in Australia, but if you can’t find work or get sick you are on your own. The Government won’t help you, like the NZ Government would. Also if you have kids, they won’t be able to get an Australia student loan, which will make it hard to get a qualification if you can’t pay for it up front.
You can read the full list of SCV exclusions here.
So if you don’t want to live in Australia with all the SCV exclusions and want the same rights as an Australian, then you will need to become a Permanent Resident and then an Australian Citizen.
People can become a permanent resident of Australia in different ways. Three common ways of becoming a permanent resident are through gaining:
You will need to check that you meet our criteria before you apply for any visa. To find a visa that suits your needs you can explore the visa options on the Australian Government website.
Below are a couple of common ways New Zealanders use to become an Australian Permanent Resident.
If you visited Australia before 1 September 1994 and cleared customs, this is an easy and cheap visa to obtain as a New Zealand Citizen.
Australia Government description of the returning resident visa: if leave Australia after your travel validity expires, or it expires when you are outside Australia, you will not be able to return to Australia as a permanent resident. This visa allows you to return as a permanent resident.
This visa costs AUD$375 if you apply online, AUD$455 for each applicant if you apply on paper. While it is unlikely for this visa, you might have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics. We will advise you if these are required in your case.
It takes between 2 days and 67 days to process. Generally, applications that meet the residence requirements will be processed within 5 working days from lodgement.
You can use the below links to find more information about this Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) NZ stream. Any further questions you have will be answered below:
This visa lets eligible New Zealand citizens who have demonstrated commitment and contribution to Australia, live and work in Australia permanently.
With this visa you can work and study anywhere in Australia and sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence and if eligible, become an Australian Citizen.
This visa costs from AUD$3,750 for the main applicant. It is charged in two installments (20% at time of lodgement and 80% as a second installment before you get granted the visa).
It takes between 10 and 16 months to process.
You will be able to apply for this visa if you are a New Zealander and:
You can use the below links to find more information about this Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) NZ stream. Any further questions you have should be answered below:
There are other Australia Permanent Resident visa options apart from the above.
Here you can find all the Australian Permanent Resident visa options: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/permanent-resident/visa-options.
If you are unsure which visa is right for you use The Australian Government Visa Finder: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder.
After you have become an Australian Permanent Resident and have lived in Australia for 12 months or more you can apply for Australian Citizenship.
Becoming a citizen of Australia is the final legal step in your migration story. It is a process in which a non-Australian citizen voluntarily becomes an Australian citizen. Australian citizens pledge their loyalty to Australia and its people and are then entitled to its protection and to exercise their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
As an Australian citizen, you can:
You can become a citizen of Australia in different ways. You must meet the Australian Governments criteria before you apply. Conferral and descent are the most common ways to apply:
You can become an Australian Citizen if you are a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
You are an eligible New Zealand citizen if you arrive in Australia with a New Zealand passport and were:
It costs AUD$285. There is no cost for a child under 16 years applying with a parent.
You can find further information and apply here.
You can become an Australian Citizen if you are a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
You are an eligible New Zealand citizen if you arrive in Australia with a New Zealand passport and were:
It costs AUD$180, AUD$20 for some concession holders. There is no cost for a child under 16 years applying with a parent.
You can find further information and apply here.
You could be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent if you:
It costs AUD$230, AUD$95 for each sibling who applies at the same time as you.
You can find further information and apply here.
Specialist immigration companies save you time, money and stress when applying for a visa or citizenship. They are able to offer you professional advice and assistance when applying for Permanent Residency and Australian Citizenship.
You can find an immigration specialist on the Australian Government website, Migration Agents Registration Authority (https://www.mara.gov.au/). Search for a immigration professional specialising in Australia.
I recommend you check out IMMagine: http://www.immigration.co.nz/. They offer a free preliminary evaluation to establish which Visa category may suit you and whether it’s worth your while ordering a comprehensive 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.
For nearly 30 years, IMMagine Australia and New Zealand have assisted migrants from all over the globe to move and settle in these two great countries.
They have delivered residence of both countries to close to 30,000 people since 1990, with a success rate of more than 99 percent and are acknowledged as leaders in this profession on both sides of the Tasman Sea.
They understand the process of migration at a personal level and are not in the business of simply telling you what forms to fill in and lodge; they go beyond that. They become your allies and advocates and represent you to the Australian or New Zealand government in the most professional manner and leaving nothing to chance.
What are you waiting for? Complete a free preliminary evaluation and establish which Visa category may suit you and whether your dream of moving to Australia can become reality: http://www.immigration.co.nz/assessments/free-evaluation/.
You can ask me any questions you have below using the comment section. However, please note I am not an immigration specialist and can’t provide any more advice than what’s above.
Hi… I’m JJ Smith.
I’m the creator and editor of Moving to Australia and have been for 10 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!
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JS
May 12, 2021 at 7:13 amHi
I am a new Zealand citizen and lived in Australia for 17 years from 1994 to 2011. I had permanent residency status (still have the certificate to prove it). I returned to NZ and have been back for 10 years. If I move back to australia, is the permanent resident status still valid
JJ Smith
May 13, 2021 at 9:53 pmHi JS,
Thanks for your comment.
Here is what I’ve found for permanent residents who want to check the status of their visa: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/Pages/extend-expired-visas/your-visa-is-expiring-or-has-expired.aspx.
As a permanent resident, you can leave Australia and return on your permanent visa as often as you wish for the first 5 years after the visa is granted. After this:
– the travel component of your permanent visa will expire, making travel back to Australia difficult
– you must apply for a Resident Return visa if you want to leave Australia and return as a permanent resident (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/resident-return-visa-155-157)
If you are outside Australia when the travel component of your permanent visa expires, do not return to Australia on any other kind of visa. If you do:
– you might lose your permanent resident status
– your eligibility for citizenship might be affected
Status Resolution Service
The Status Resolution Service (SRS) assists people in the community who need some assistance to resolve their immigration status: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/status-resolution-service/overview.
If you cannot resolve your immigration status through our website, Status Resolution Officers may help you to:
– address obstacles or barriers which prevent case resolution
– provide clear information about immigration pathways or departure options
– voluntarily connect with the Return and Reintegration Assistance Program service providers
Therefore I recommend you contact the above service and they will be able to help you and definitely do it before you leave NZ: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/contact-us/telephone.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move back to Australia.
Mel
November 3, 2020 at 7:16 amI was recently granted a resident return (155) visa and I just wanted to say thank you so much for this blog post and the fantastic information, it made getting my visa possible 🙂
JJ Smith
November 3, 2020 at 10:11 pmHi Mel,
Thank you for your feedback!
I don’t get a lot and it’s nice to know the posts I write are helping other kiwi’s.
Enjoy your life in the sunshine!
Robert
September 9, 2020 at 11:00 amHi JJ Smith,
Thank you so much for this website and all information. Before that I have tried so much to ask Home Affairs and every person related to immigration. None of them is providing honest answer and always refer me to their website and say i can find all the answers from there which is not possible and complicated.
For example “You may be able to apply for a Skilled Independent visa if you are an NZ Special Category visa holder and were living in Australia on or before 19 February 2016”. This statement is basically saying that as New Zealand citizen i am not able to apply for Australian permanent residency anymore. All other three options are already closed for me like 1 family stream, 2 work stream, 3 business stream. So should i just quit my plans of moving to Australia?
JJ Smith
September 13, 2020 at 10:18 pmHi Robert,
Thank you for your comment and kind words.
If you haven’t already check out IMMagine: http://www.immigration.co.nz/.
They offer a free preliminary evaluation to establish which Visa category may suit you and whether it’s worth your while ordering a comprehensive 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.
They also have a section where you can ask a question and get an answer from a immigration specialist: http://www.immigration.co.nz/ask-us-question/ask-us/. There is a small fee of AUD$15, but to get an answer you can trust, it’s worth it.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move, if and when you can move.
Jonathan Wilcox
April 22, 2020 at 12:46 pmHi there,
I’m a NZ citizen who has been offered a teaching job in rural Queensland which my wife and two primary school children are really excited about.
We have only ever been to Australia on holiday and I will be 45 this May.
I plan to move across and teach under the SCV subclass 444. However, what is the best/easiest way to become a permanent resident so we can gain all the benefits of an Australian Citizen? Can I qualify for the skilled regional visa from a subclass 444 as Agnes Water qualifies for this geographically? Its all very confusing… Any advice would be great,
Jon
JJ Smith
May 26, 2020 at 12:10 amHi Jon,
Thank you for your comment and sorry for the delay in replaying.
Did you go on holiday to Australia before 1 September 1994? If so you would be eligible for the Subclasses 155 and 157 Resident Return visa. This is an easy and cheap visa to obtain as a New Zealand Citizen.
It is all quite confusing and unfortunately I am not an immigration specialist and apart from the information you have already read on my ‘become an Australian Permanent Resident then Australia Citizen’ post, I can’t help.
To apply for the Subclass 887 Skilled Regional visa you must have lived for at least 2 years in Australia and worked full time for at least 1 year in a specified regional area. More info and eligibility – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-regional-887#Overview.
If you need help I recommend you contact a 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.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move, when you are able to.
Jon
May 26, 2020 at 11:26 pmHi there JJ,
Thank you so much for the information you have provided. Unfortunately my earliest visit to Australia was in 2002, so i’ll have to look at other avenues which you’ve talked about.
Yes, it is all time consuming and confusing so we’ll take our time and get it right.
Once again, thank you,
Jon
JJ Smith
May 26, 2020 at 11:27 pmHi Jon,
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/.
They can help you figure out if it’s worth your while to go ahead with a detailed assessment by looking at your general prospects for migration based on factors such as your work experience and/or qualifications, your family set up and whether migration is a viable option for you to explore.
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.
Good luck.
Mel
February 2, 2020 at 12:06 pmHi JJ, thankyou for an amazing website!
I’m a New Zealand citizen who is looking at applying for a resident return visa as I briefly visited Australia as a child before 1994. Since then I’ve had many holidays to Australia and I moved here permanently on an SCV in 2018 to study full-time at an Australian University. However, I’ve had long periods out of Australia and I know these will work against me, but I’m just not sure how significant these are to my application.
Do you have any idea how likely it is that I would be granted a resident return visa, or how I can find out what kinds of cases are successful in getting this visa?
Finally, I do wish to stay in Australia long term and it seems that I could apply for a highly skilled/skilled shortage working visa when I start my profession in a few years time. Do you have any knowledge as to whether an unsuccessful application for a resident return visa now would hurt my chances of getting a skilled working visa later on in life?
Kind regards,
Mel
JJ Smith
March 3, 2020 at 10:28 pmHi Mel,
Thanks for your comment.
I recommend you go for the return visa first, as it has very clear eligibility requirements and if you are eligible you shouldn’t have a problem. And it’s a cheap option.
However, I am not an immigration specialist and if you want professional advice you should ask IMMagine: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/australian-visa/#professional-immigration-services.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Colette
November 9, 2019 at 11:57 pmHi we are thinking of moving to Australia, but are a bit unsure if we can apply for residency and are scared that we will give everything up in NZ and have to move back after a while if Australian government change the temporary visas given to NZ citizens.
I am currently 47 and partner is 53 I am a hairdresser and he is a financial advisor, if we cant get residency and work under special visa as kiwis and be safe it is still okay and will move is there any surety?
Regards
Colette Smit
JJ Smith
November 12, 2019 at 11:48 pmHi Colette,
Thank you for your comment.
Unfortunately I am not a immigration specialist and can only advise on what I read online and my experience.
Are you both NZ Citizen’s looking at moving on SCV’s?
The Special Category Visa (SCV) was created on 1 September 1994, an amendment was made on the 26th February 2001 and nothing since then.
The NZ Government are always pushing NZ rights in Australia and I do not see the SCV ever being withdrawn.
Everyone in your position has the same leap of faith to make. It’s not an easy decision, but the move can really improve your quality of life.
Because of your age I recommend reading this post, as pension should come into your decision making process: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/can-a-nz-citizen-get-an-australian-benefit-or-pension/.
Hope the above helps.
Sean Treadway
September 20, 2019 at 12:19 amGood Morning, are you able to please offer advise. My wife, 14 month old daughter and I are looking at a move to BNE via a business transfer mid 2020. My parents have lived on the GC for 30 plus years and now have AU citizenship, my wife’s brother is alos now an AU citizen also having entered AU more than 15 years ago. Because we both have more family living in AU than we do NZ we a keen to move and take up AU residency and then citizenship when eligible. Problem is I cannot find any information that is valid for entry after 2017 that clearly lays out what sort of process is required for us to become residents and the citizens. I know that there is now an earnings threshold that we will sit above but apart from that I have been unable to find any further clear info. Can you help?
With thank and apprecitaion in advance
JJ Smith
September 20, 2019 at 12:48 amHi Sean,
Thank you for your comment.
Becoming an Australian PR and then Australia Citizen is not easy to get your head round.
Did you visit Australia before 1 September 1994? If so you would be eligible for a Resident Return visa. I thought this could be possible with all your family living in Australia. You would have read info on this on this post: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/become-an-australian-permanent-resident-and-australia-citizen/#Subclasses155and157ResidentReturnvisa.
Unfortunately I am not a immigration specialist so apart from what I posted I can only point you to either the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/) or to the office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority where to find an immigration specialist (https://www.mara.gov.au/).
The Department of Home Affairs website contains all the info you need for each Visa, e.g. eligibility, step by step, cost and processing times. It just takes time for work your way through the site.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Sean
September 22, 2019 at 9:37 pmThank you very much for your prompt reply.
Yes I lived and worked in Sydney for a number of years working for the Royal Australian Navy in the late 80’s before returning back to NZ. My wife also lived and worked in Qld in 97.
That was the path I was hoping to go down. We also have family looking into options from AU. If everything goes ahead I’ll be sure to let you know the process and outcome.
Thanks again
Christine
September 8, 2019 at 11:08 pmHi there
We are looking at moving to Australia in the next couple of months. My partner is Australian but my son and I are kiwis. Can my son get any dual rights having an Australian dad? Is there any paper work I need to do for either my son or myself before we leave NZ?
Do you know if I will still get pension and Medicare in Australia?
Thank you all very stressful at the moment
Christine
JJ Smith
September 8, 2019 at 11:10 pmHi Christine,
Thank you for your email.
It looks like your son can become an Australian citizen (by descent). If he was born outside Australia and one (or both) of their parents at the time of your birth was also an Australian citizen at that time. Cost is AUD230 and will take between 55 and 89 days to process. Find out more: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/become-a-citizen/by-descent. You can apply at any stage from either Australia or NZ.
You will be able to get the Australian pension. Read this post: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/can-a-nz-citizen-get-an-australian-benefit-or-pension/.
You can get Medicare and will need to apply in person in a Medicare Office. Please remember to take your passport. Read this post: https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/medicare-australia/.
Please feel free to email me back any further questions you have.
Good luck with your move.
Susan Christensen
May 30, 2019 at 5:00 amHi, I arrived in Australia from NewZealand in 1980 without passports with my parents. I have remained living here permanently and have married and given birth to all of my children here.
I’m not sure where I stand as far as citizenship? I would like to study and get fee help but was told I need to be a Citizen of Australia.
Not sure what to do or where to start..
Regards
Sue
JJ Smith
June 24, 2019 at 11:55 pmHi Sue,
Thank you for your comment. Sorry for delay in replying.
Interesting situation you are in. You are definitely able to study in Australia, but you may not be able to get any help from the Australian Government.
I would start by calling CenterLink and see what they say: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/contact-us/phone-us. They will be able to save you research time and head you in the right direction straight away.
Regarding citizenship, I recommend you call the Department of Home Affairs on 131 881 and see what they say. Because you didn’t arrive with a passport, I’m not sure on what to recommend.
Hope the above helps.
Caroline
March 27, 2019 at 10:06 pmHi,
Thank you so much for your great website. I’m a Kiwi (originally French, but have been living in NZ for over 10 years) looking at moving to Melbourne and I already found a lot of answers to my questions on your website:
– will I get charged resident or foreigner tax on my income
– moving with my pet (but I’m still worried my cat encounters a snake…)
– school/university fees
GREAT content, THANK YOU!!!!!
We can tell you’ve been through all of it before.
Just one question though: in your opinion, would it still make sense to apply for residency asap?
Thank you again,
Caroline
JJ Smith
March 27, 2019 at 10:11 pmHi Caroline,
Thank you for your email and lovely comments.
Snakes are a bit of a worry but generally live in the ceiling or outside and eat the poisonous spiders.
Regarding applying for residency, it’s good to get the ball rolling as soon as you can. It can take a while and if your looking at university fees then you know you can’t get a student loan until you are a permanent resident. However, if you haven’t lived in Australia before then waiting a year or so won’t hurt. Australia is different to NZ and not all kiwi’s stay.
By applying for permanent residency and citizenship you protect yourself from the worst case scenario (emergency benefits and sickness benefits). More importantly, your kids will have all the same advantages than Australian kids. Not sure if you have kids or are planning to in the future.
Good luck with your move.