FAQs

Hot Topics

▸ What is the new citizenship pathway for New Zealanders?
▸ Information for Australian citizenship applicants, including FAQs
▸ Can I become an Australian citizen?
▸ Is my child an Australian citizen by birth?

Applying for Australian citizenship

▸ Australian citizenship FAQs
▸ Can I become an Australian citizen?
▸ How do I apply for Australian citizenship?
▸ How can I check or show proof of my visa status?
▸ Do I need to reside four years as a PR to apply for citizenship by conferral?
▸ What can do if I have an issue with my application?
▸ How long does it take to process Australian citizenship?
▸ How long will it take to be invited to my Australian citizenship ceremony?

Eligibility for Australian citizenship

▸ Can I become an Australian citizen?
▸ How can I check or show proof of my visa status?
▸ What is a Certificate of Australian Residence?
▸ Is my child an Australian citizen by birth?
▸ Can my child become an Australian citizen at age 10?
▸ Can I become an Australian citizen by descent?
▸ Can my child be granted a permanent visa?
▸ Can my partner be granted a permanent visa?
▸ Can New Zealanders be dual citizens?

Assistance for Special Category Visa-holders

▸ Can New Zealanders receive Centrelink payments?
▸ Is there any financial support other than Centrelink?
▸ Can I receive help to return to New Zealand?

Australian Defence Force entry

▸ Can New Zealanders serve in the Australian Defence Force (ADF)?

Before moving to Australia

▸ What do I need to know before moving to Australia?
▸ What is the visa status of New Zealanders in Australia?
▸ Do WINZ need to know if I go to Australia?

Bridging visa

▸ Do I need a Bridging Visa to travel overseas?

Buying or selling a house

▸ Are New Zealanders eligible for the First Home Owners Grant?
▸ Are New Zealanders eligible for the Home Guarantee Scheme?
▸ Are New Zealanders considered foreign buyers for Stamp Duty?
▸ Do New Zealanders have to pay Capital Gains Tax on their home?
▸ What are the proposed changes to Capital Gains Tax?
▸ Do New Zealanders have to pay Capital Gains Tax on the family home if living outside Australia?

Centrelink

▸ Am I eligible for the Aged Pension or NZ Superannuation?
▸ Am I eligible for Centrelink payments?
▸ Is there any financial support other than Centrelink?
▸ Can New Zealanders receive Disaster Recovery Payments for flooding or bush fires?
▸ What is a Certificate of Status for New Zealanders in Australia (CSNZCA)?
▸ Am I eligible for a Medicare card?
▸ How do I contact Centrelink International Services?
▸ How do I contact WINZ Senior Services International?

Children born in Australia

▸ Is my child an Australian citizen by birth?
▸ Can my child become an Australian citizen at age 10?
▸ Can my child become a NZ citizen by descent?
▸ Can my child become a NZ citizen if I'm an NZ citizen by descent?

Comparison of rights

▸ How are Australians in New Zealand treated?

Criminal convictions

▸ Can I apply for PR or citizenship if I have a criminal conviction?
▸ Can I visit Australia if I have a criminal conviction?
▸ Will my visa be cancelled if I've been arrested/sentenced to prison?
▸ Can I visit Australia if I have been deported?

Deportation

▸ What can I do if I'm being deported?
▸ Will my visa be cancelled if I have a domestic violence conviction?
▸ How many New Zealanders are being held in Immigration detention?

Dual citizenship

▸ Can New Zealanders be dual citizens?
▸ Do I need to travel on an Australian passport?

Form 80 - Personal and Character Assessment

▸ Should I complete the Personal and Character Assessment Form 80?

HELP loans & university fees

▸ Can New Zealanders get a HELP loan?

Medicare

▸ Are New Zealanders eligible for a Medicare card?
▸ How do New Zealanders apply for a Medicare card?

Migration agents

▸ Can you recommend a migration agent?
▸ How do I make a complaint about a migration agent?

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

▸ Are New Zealanders eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme?

New Zealand citizenship

▸ Can my Australian-born child become a New Zealand citizen?
▸ Can my child become a NZ citizen if I am a NZ citizen by descent?
▸ How do I renew or apply for a New Zealand passport?

New Zealander permanent visa (189)

▸ How do I apply for the permanent visa for New Zealanders (189)?
▸ What is happening with the New Zealand 189 visa?
▸ Do I need a Bridging Visa to travel overseas?

Non-New Zealand family members

▸ Can my partner or child get an Australian visa (461)?
▸ Can my child be granted a permanent visa?
▸ Can my partner become a permanent resident?

Passports

▸ How do I apply for or renew an Australian passport?
▸ How do I apply for or renew a New Zealand passport?
▸ How does my child obtain New Zealand citizenship and a passport?
▸ Do I need to keep my passport valid?

Permanent residency

▸ Am I a permanent resident?
▸ Can I look up my visa status (VEVO)?

Permanent visas

▸ What is the permanent visa for New Zealanders (189)?
▸ Can my partner become a permanent resident?
▸ Can my child be granted a permanent visa?
▸ How long will it take for my permanent visa to be processed?

Protected Special Category Visa (PSCV)

▸ What is a Protected Special Category Visa (PSCV)?

Resident Return Visa

▸ What is a Resident Return Visa (RRV)?
▸ How do I apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV)?
▸ Do I need to renew my Resident Return Visa (RRV)?
▸ Can I travel overseas after being granted Resident Return Visa (RRV)?
▸ How can I confirm I still hold a permanent visa after travelling overseas?
▸ What is the Resident Return Visa (RRV) travel capacity?

Special Category Visa (SCV)

▸ What is a Special Category Visa (SCV)?
▸ What is a Protected Special Category Visa (PSCV)?
▸ Can a Special Category visa-holder apply for citizenship?
▸ What do New Zealanders need to know about their Australian visa?

Student loans & study

▸ Can New Zealanders get a student loan (HELP)?
▸ Am I eligible for fees-free study in New Zealand?

Superannuation & retirement

▸ Am I eligible for the Aged Pension or NZ Superannuation?
▸ Do New Zealand & Australia have a Joint Social Security Agreement?
▸ What happens to my NZ Super or Veterans Pension if I go to Australia?
▸ Can I access my Australian Super due to financial hardship or on compassionate grounds?
▸ Can I transfer funds between my Australian Superfund and KiwiSaver?

Travel records

▸ How can obtain my Australian travel records?

Visa cancellation

▸ What is the Character Test?
▸ Will my visa be cancelled if I have a domestic violence conviction?
▸ Will my visa be cancelled if I am arrested or sentenced to prison?
▸ What can I do if my visa is cancelled?

Visa status

▸ What is my residency status in Australia?
▸ What do New Zealanders need to know about their Australian visa?
▸ Can I look up my visa status (VEVO)?
▸ How can I confirm I still hold a permanent visa after travelling overseas?
▸ What is an Eligible New Zealand Citizen?
▸ What is a Certificate of Status for New Zealanders in Australia (CSNZCA)?