Updates to ‘A guide to community services for New Zealanders in Australia‘
June 2024
Background
New Zealanders coming into Australia, whether or not they are aware of it, are given a visa on arrival – subclass 444 Special Category Visa (SCV).
Before 2001, New Zealanders arriving in Australia on SCVs were classed as ‘protected’ SCV holders. They had full access to social security, and could obtain citizenship without first being granted a permanent residence visa.
This changed from 26 Feb 2001. New Zealanders arriving after that date are now classified as ‘non-protected SCV holders’.
While allowing New Zealanders to stay in Australia indefinitely, the non-protected SCV is a temporary, not a permanent visa. It does not give New Zealanders access to the full range of social security benefits enjoyed by Australian citizens and permanent residents if they do not also hold Australian citizenship.
This information refers chiefly to the services available to New Zealanders arriving after 26 Feb 2001 (i.e., to those classified as non-protected SCV holders).
Update
The Department of Home Affairs announced recently that from 1 July 2024, changes to citizenship eligibility for some New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category ( subclass 444) visa will apply. This will enable eligible NZ citizens to obtain Australian citizenship, and full access to the associated benefits, without first having to obtain a permanent visa.
You can find more information about this at Direct pathway to Australian citizenship for New Zealand citizens.
Prepared by Dr Jan Gothard, Migration Advisor, MARN 1569102