IMPORTANT UPDATE: Direct pathway to Australian Citizenship for New Zealanders
Permanent Resident and Citizenship for New Zealanders living in Australia
What you need to do to become an Australian citizen depends on when you arrived:
- If you came to Australia before 26 February 2001 book a time to check if you are an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- After 26 February 2001 & before 19 February 2016: You must first become a permanent resident. After one year of being a permanent resident you may be eligible for citizenship subject to meeting the residence requirement.
Some NZ citizens in Australia may be eligible for the JobKeeper payments. Eligible visa holders are:
- Special Category (Subclass 444) Visa holders as at 1 March 2020. You must also be a resident for Australian tax purposes on 1 March 2020.
- Full details here.
