New Zealand passport . (Photo: 123RF)

05 April 2020

Radio NZ

Australia’s government is advising New Zealanders living there without means of support to go home.

More than two million people are in Australia on a temporary visa, including 203,000 international visitors and 672,000 New Zealanders holding the Special Category 444 Visa. [Protected SCV] New Zealanders who arrived in Australia before 26 February 2001 would have access to welfare payments and the JobKeeper payment.

Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge said that while citizens, permanent residents and many New Zealanders had access to unconditional work rights and government payments (including the new JobKeeper and the JobSeeker payments), temporary visa-holders did not.

Those [non-protected SCV] 444 visa holders who arrived after 2001 had access to the JobKeeper payment. Those who have lived in Australia for 10 years or more have access to JobSeeker payments for six months.

“New Zealanders should consider returning to New Zealand if they are unable to support themselves through these provisions, work or family support,” Tudge said.

[Read the full Radio NZ article].

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