Immigration status of New Zealanders in Australia

New Zealand citizens entering Australia are issued with a Special Category Visa (SCV) on arrival, provided they meet security, character and health requirements. People with criminal records or serious health problems should check with the Australian Consulate-General before travelling to see if they meet these requirements.

An SCV entitles New Zealanders to live and work in Australia as long as they wish, provided they remain of good character. The Australian authorities can cancel an SCV if a person fails the character requirements (e.g. if they commit a crime). The person would likely then be sent back to New Zealand and may be unable to enter Australia again. If the person cannot be returned to New Zealand immediately, they may be placed in immigration detention in Australia.

An SCV does not entitle New Zealanders to receive unemployment or sickness benefits in Australia. New Zealanders who arrived in Australia after early 2001 must obtain Australian permanent residency to be eligible to receive these benefits. There is a two-year stand down period for benefits after the date that permanent residency is granted (see www.immi.gov.au). New Zealand citizens who arrived in Australia prior to 26 February 2001 may be eligible for unemployment and sickness benefits.  Such persons should contact Centrelink in Australia to have their eligibility assessed.

New Zealanders can obtain Australian citizenship and an Australian passport without giving up their New Zealand citizenship or New Zealand passport. The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Citizenship recommend that Australian passport-holders always use that passport to enter Australia.

Children born in Australia to one or more New Zealand parents can obtain New Zealand citizenship by descent, by contacting the New Zealand passports office in Sydney on tel +61(2) 9225 2300, or www.dia.govt.nz.