Permanent residency. If you move to Australia as an NZ citizen you won't automatically get permanent residency status in Australia. However, you will have a Special Category visa that means you can live, study and work in Australia for as long as you like — this doesn't mean you have permanent residency.
Under Australia's international social security agreement with New Zealand, New Zealand citizens living in Australia can apply for the Australian Age Pension (if over the age of 65), Disability Support Pension (if they are severely disabled) and Carer Payment (if they are caring for a partner on DSP) irrespective of
To be eligible for the Australian pension you must be an Australian resident and be physically present in Australia. You must have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years continuously (10 years in a row), or 10 years all up, with at least one stay lasting a minimum of five years.
New Zealanders on a non-protected Special Category Visa (SCV) who arrived after 26 February 2001 are not entitled to the full range of Centrelink social security payments, including unemployment and sickness allowances. But after 10 years living in Australia, it may be possible to claim some help.
NZ citizens living in Australia can therefore purchase any type of real estate they desire. This includes investment properties, and old or new homes to live in. NZ citizens living in NZ and permanent residents of NZ, however, will be treated the same as any other foreign citizens in Australia.
Applying for permanent residence
- hold a SCV visa.
- have been living in Australia for 5 years.
- started residency in Australia on or before 19 February 2016.
- have a taxable income at or above an income threshold for all 4 income years before lodging an application (unless claiming an exemption)
Permanent residents or New Zealand citizens
Becoming a citizen by conferral is a common way to become an Australian citizen. You need to be a permanent resident and meet certain criteria before you can apply.Health care
Generally speaking, in order to be entitled to Medicare a person must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. However, New Zealanders who are residing in Australia are also eligible for Medicare and can be issued with a Medicare card upon presentation of documentation proving residence.If you live in Australia and you have a Non-protected SCV, you can claim:
- Family Tax Benefit.
- Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement.
- Single Income Family Supplement.
- Child Care Subsidy.
- Double Orphan Pension.
- Health Care Card.
- Low Income Health Care Card.
- Foster Child Health Care Card.
As a New Zealand citizen, you can live and work in Australia indefinitely. When you enter Australia on your NZ passport, you automatically receive a Special Category Visa (SCV). You don't need to do anything else to live and work there.
What you need to do to become an Australian citizen depends on when you arrived in Australia: On or before 26 February 2001: Check if you are an eligible New Zealand citizen. After 26 February 2001: You must first become a permanent resident. Then you can apply for citizenship.
Kiwis wanting to retire in Oz can continue to receive New Zealand Superannuation for up to six months after they leave New Zealand. But those who want to stay longer have to apply for the state-funded Australian Age Pension and become Australian residents.
Public Health Care
As a New Zealander living in Australia you are entitled to free emergency hospital care but generally must pay full price for all non-hospital treatment (medicines, doctor visits, etc) unless you hold a Medicare card.Under Australia's international social security agreement with New Zealand, New Zealand citizens living in Australia can apply for the Australian Age Pension (if over the age of 65), Disability Support Pension (if they are severely disabled) and Carer Payment (if they are caring for a partner on DSP) irrespective of
Residents are entitled to subsidized treatment from medical practitioners, eligible midwives, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals who have been issued a Medicare provider number, and can also obtain free treatment in public hospitals. Medicare covers 70% of the costs of healthcare.
Age - you must be under 45 when you apply; English language - you should have sufficient ability in the English language to work in Australia (at least at a competent level); Nominated occupation - when you apply you nominate a skilled occupation, which fits your skills and qualifications.
They're both great, but New Zealand is stunning and much more diverse. Australia has the better climate. NZ is a small first world country, you can go from rich to poor house in a city block sometimes, we have beautiful, beautiful coast and scenery, but you will need to have time away from your job to enjoy it.
Visa-free destinations for Australian passport holders
- Hong Kong.
- Indonesia.
- Japan.
- Kazakhstan.
- Kyrgyzstan.
- Macao (SAR China)
- Malaysia.
- Philippines.
As a New Zealand citizen, you can live and work in Australia indefinitely. When you enter Australia on your NZ passport, you automatically receive a Special Category Visa (SCV). You don't need to do anything else to live and work there.
New Zealand as an Australian state
One of the reasons that New Zealand chose not to join Australia was due to perceptions that the indigenous Māori population would suffer as a result. An aboriginal is not as intelligent as a Maori."Kiwi" (/ˈkiwi/ KEE-wee) is the nickname used internationally for people from New Zealand, as well as being a relatively common self-reference. Unlike many demographic labels, its usage is not considered offensive; rather, it is generally viewed as a symbol of pride and endearment for the people of New Zealand.
More than 600,000 New Zealand citizens call Australia home, with many moving due to Australia's higher wages, warmer weather and educational opportunities for their children. In 2001, a law change essentially split New Zealand citizens in Australia into two categories: protected and non-protected.
