Breaking news
19 February 2016
Australia opens door to citizenship for New Zealanders following breakthrough agreement.
New Zealanders who have been living in Australia for at least five years – and earning a reasonable wage – may be a step closer to acquiring citizenship across the ditch.
The policy change announced today may help many Kiwis in Australia, although it will certainly not help all.
[Read the Stuff article]
To be eligible for citizenship under the new pathway non-protected SCVs must:
- have lived in Australia continuously for the previous five years
- have had a taxable income of more than $53,900 in each of the last five years
- have been resident in Australia on or before today (ie anyone who arrived after today is ineligible)
- meet the standard health criteria
- pay substantial fees – primary applicant $3,670, partner $1,835, dependent child 18-24 $1,835 and child under 18 $920.
A dependent child must be aged under 25, in full time study and financially dependent upon the sponsoring parent. There must also be no more than a six month gap between leaving school and commencing full time study.
The new pathway for citizenship is expected to come into effect from 1 July 2017.
You can still apply for a Resident Return Visa ($365) if you’re eligible. But if you need to sponsor family you must consider whether RRV or the new visa option is the best option for you.
For more details refer to Additional citizenship pathway for New Zealanders
