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Australian Visa

Australian Visa for New Zealanders

by JJ Smith
written by JJ Smith

Moving to Australia and don’t know if you need a visa?

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.

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Australian age pension

Australian Age Pension for New Zealanders (2026 Guide)

by JJ Smith
written by JJ Smith

Can New Zealanders get the Australian Age Pension?

Yes — New Zealanders living in Australia may be eligible for the Australian Age Pension, but the rules are slightly different from the NZ pension and those for Australian citizens.

Eligibility depends on:

  • your age
  • how long you have lived in Australia and/or New Zealand
  • your income
  • your assets

Australia and New Zealand have a social security agreement, which allows periods of residence in both countries to be counted when assessing eligibility.

Because of this agreement, many New Zealanders who move to Australia later in life can qualify for an Australian pension, even if they haven’t lived in Australia for their entire working life.

However, there are a few important rules and deadlines, especially if you are already receiving NZ Superannuation when you move.

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Special Category Visas Exclusions

SCV Visa Exclusions

by JJ Smith
written by JJ Smith

As a New Zealand citizen moving to Australia, you will usually automatically receive a Special Category Visa (SCV) when you pass through Australian border control.

This visa gives New Zealanders many of the same rights as Australian citizens. However, you should be aware of a number of exclusions from government assistance.

As a New Zealander, you have a unique opportunity if you’re considering moving to Australia. Australia and New Zealand 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. However, there are exclusions as below.

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New pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders in Australia

Direct pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders in Australia

by JJ Smith
written by JJ Smith

Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens can become Australian citizens (by conferral).

From 1 July 2023, there is a new direct pathway to Australian citizenship for eligible New Zealand citizens who have lived in Australia for over four years.

On the 22nd of April 2023, Australia announced a new direct pathway to citizenship for eligible NZ citizens who have been living in Australia on a valid visa for 4 years immediately before the day they apply. They must not have been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in total in the past 4 years, including no more than 90 days in total in the 12 months immediately before applying.

The new law will apply to Kiwis on temporary, special category visas (SCV) who have arrived since 2001, lived in Australia for four years, and meet the standard criteria for citizenship—such as an English test, demonstrating “adequate knowledge” of Australia, and character checks and intention to reside in Australia.

There is no income threshold or health check required.

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Moving to Australia with a criminal conviction

Moving to Australia with a criminal conviction?

by JJ Smith
written by JJ Smith

Find out if and how you can move to Australia from New Zealand with your criminal convictions.

If you are a New Zealander with a criminal history, you will need to get written confirmation from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) before you travel to Australia. If you have been imprisoned for over a year, you will need to apply for an Australian Visa. Read more below.

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