Does A New Zealander Need A Working Visa For Australia

If you’re a New Zealander who has decided to explore opportunities across the ditch and travel down under, then it’s important to know about one potential aspect of government bureaucracy. Do you need a working visa for Australia? Well, that depends on what part of the country you intend to work in. If you are truly only going there to holiday or just travel around, then no worries. You do not need a working visa for Australia.

Australia’s working holiday visa program is a great way for New Zealanders to see the country, earn money and travel. It is often confused with any other working holiday or working visa programs in Australia. In this article you’ll get information about the working holiday visa program and whether you need a working visa for New Zealanders.The answer to this straightforward question is yes. The new Zealander, even one that has a working holiday visa for Australia, needs to have a work visa before they can get jobs and earn money in Australia.

Does A New Zealander Need A Working Visa For Australia

Overview

The Special Category visa (subclass 444) (SCV) allows you to remain in Australia as long as you are a New Zealand citizen.

The SCV is a temporary visa. You will not have the same rights and benefits as an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

If you wish to become a permanent resident you should refer to the pathway to permanent residence and citizenship.

Entitlements for SCV holders

An SCV may entitle you to:

• Medicare
• family assistance payments
• rent assistance
• age pension
• disability pension or carer payment
• student loans

The Parliament of Australia website has a quick guide to entitlements.

Eligible New Zealand citizen (or Protected SCV holder)

You are an eligible New Zealand citizen, or protected SCV holder, if you:

• were in Australia on 26 February 2001 as the holder of an SCV
• spent at least 12 months in Australia as the holder of an SCV in the two years immediately before 26 February 2001
• commenced or recommenced residing in Australia within three months from 26 February 2001, or
• were residing in Australia on 26 February 2001 but were temporarily absent.

You may also be an eligible New Zealand citizen, or protected SCV holder if you fall within the definition of ‘protected SCV holder’ in section 7 of the Social Security Act 1991.

If you are an eligible New Zealand citizen, you can apply for citizenship (by conferral). You do not need to become a permanent resident first. You can also sponsor family members for Australian visas.

What you are not entitled to as a temporary visa holder

Temporary visa holders are not entitled to:

• vote in an election or referendum
• join the Australian Defence Force
• undertake ongoing work with the Australian Government

You may be able to vote if you were already enrolled on 25 January 1984. You can find out from the Australian Electoral Commission.

Entitlements for eligible New Zealand citizens

See Eligible New Zealand citizen for further information.

Eligible New Zealand citizen (or protected SCV holders) may be entitled to more benefits.

These include:

• Additional social security payments
• National Disability Insurance Scheme
• Youth allowance
• Austudy

Overview

New Zealand citizens with a valid New Zealand passport do not need to apply for a visa before coming to Australia. If you are eligible, we will grant you a Special Category visa (subclass 444) (SCV) when you enter Australia.

The SCV is a temporary visa you get in Australia if you are a New Zealand citizen. It allows you to:

• visit
• study
• stay, and
• work.

The visa ceases when you leave Australia, unless it ceases or we cancel it before you leave.

SCV holders do not have the same rights and benefits as Australian citizens or permanent residents.

To apply for a permanent visa see, pathway to permanent residence and citizenship.

Entering Australia on an SCV

For us to grant you an SCV when you enter Australia, you must:

• complete an Incoming Passenger Card, and
• show a valid New Zealand passport to an officer.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, we will grant you the SCV. This will also happen if you use SmartGate.

If you leave Australia your SCV will cease. Next time you enter Australia, we will grant you a new SCV if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Entering Australia as an airline crew member

See Crew Travel Authority for further information.

Requirements for an SCV

To be granted an SCV you must not be a:

• behaviour concern non-citizen (except in certain circumstances), or
• health concern non-citizen.

All visa holders must continue to meet the character requirements. If you don’t, we may cancel your visa.