Australian Visa (updated 2025) by JJ Smith May 18, 2023 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. Continue Reading
Australian Age Pension (2025) by JJ Smith August 28, 2024 written by JJ Smith Are New Zealanders eligible for the Age Pension in Australia? Yes, but there’s more to it. Here’s everything you need to know. New Zealanders who are 67 years or older and living in Australia can be eligible for the Australian Age Pension, as long as they meet the residency, income, and asset requirements. Please note that the eligibility rules have recently changed. If you were born on or after 1 January 1957, you must now wait until age 67 to receive the Australian Age Pension. Under Australia’s international social security agreement with New Zealand, NZ citizens living in Australia can apply for: Australian Age Pension (over 67 years) Disability Support Pension (DSP) if they are severely disabled Carer Payment if they are caring for a partner receiving DSP These payments are available to both protected and non-protected SCV holders. Continue Reading
SCV Visa Exclusions by JJ Smith April 4, 2022 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. Continue Reading
Direct pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders in Australia by JJ Smith July 12, 2023 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. Continue Reading
Moving to Australia with a criminal conviction? by JJ Smith November 6, 2023 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. Continue Reading
Moving to Australia Frequently Asked Questions by JJ Smith June 20, 2024 written by JJ Smith Below are a list of frequently asked questions we get regularly. If there is something you want to know please use the comment form at the bottom of the page. Continue Reading
Single parent moving to Australia from New Zealand by JJ Smith February 15, 2024 written by JJ Smith If you are a single parent wanting to move to Australia and are unsure of your options, the below will hopefully help. If you are wondering what government support you can receive when you arrive in Australia as a single parent, you should be eligible for these payments: Family Tax Benefit, Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement, Single Income Family Supplement, Child Care Subsidy, Double Orphan Pension and Health Care Card. Continue Reading
Become an Australian Citizen by JJ Smith May 5, 2023 written by JJ Smith Are you a New Zealander moving or living in Australia? Find out how to get the same benefits as an Australian. New Zealand citizens with a valid New Zealand passport are able to move to Australia from New Zealand without having to apply for a visa. We apply and get granted a Special Category Visa 444 (SCV) simply by processing through border control. You must meet the character requirements, see below. After you have been living in Australia for four years, you can apply to become an Australian citizen. We no longer need to apply for an Australian permanent visa (permanent resident) first. Continue Reading
