Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) New Zealand Stream (CLOSED)
This visa pathway closed permanently when the new direct pathway to Australian citizenship opened up.
BREAKING NEWS – 22 APRIL 2023
New Zealand citizens who have been living in Australia for 4 years will have a direct pathway to Australian citizenship without needing to apply for a permanent visa.
We are yet to learn the finer details but for now this is the most incredible news we’ve received in over 22 years!
NEWS FLASH 10 DECEMBER 2022
Subclass 189 is set to have major changes occur as of 1 July 2023. (Last updated: 10 December 2022)
————
From the Department of Home Affairs (website)
“Recent changes
Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa – New Zealand stream only – temporary closure of applications and streamlining measures commencing 10 December 2022
The New Zealand stream of the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa (the New Zealand stream) has temporarily closed to new applications. This means a new application cannot be made from 10 December 2022 until 1 July 2023.
This is a temporary pause on new applications while the Government considers future migration and citizenship pathways for New Zealand citizens in Australia, reflecting the close ties between our two nations.
During this period, the Department of Home Affairs will seek to finalise the majority of on-hand applications in the New Zealand stream, and has established a dedicated taskforce to prioritise the processing of this caseload.
The majority of New Zealand stream applicants have been waiting several years for their visa application to be finalised due to the limited number of places allocated to this group in recent years.
The following streamlining measures introduced acknowledge that this this group of New Zealand citizens are long-term residents of Australia, have been working here and contributing to Australia’s economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These include removing the requirement for New Zealand stream on-hand applicants to satisfy criteria relating to:
- a period of residence in Australia;
- the income threshold;
and
- health, given the access New Zealand citizens already in Australia have to Medicare.
Grant of New Zealand stream visas in the 2022-23 Program Year will allow visa holders to access the benefits of permanent residence more quickly, notably the immediate ability to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme and automatic acquisition of Australian citizenship at birth for their children born in Australia.
Questions and Answers
Why can’t I apply for a New Zealand stream visa on or after 10 December 2022?
The New Zealand stream of the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa will temporarily close to new applications. This pause on new applications means an application for a New Zealand stream visa cannot be lodged from 10 December 2022 until 1 July 2023 – whilst the Government considers future options for New Zealand citizens in Australia.
We have paused applications to avoid disappointment for prospective applicants while the Government considers future options for New Zealand citizens in Australia. These options will be designed to more appropriately reflect the close ties our two nations have, and the very positive contribution New Zealanders make to Australia.
What happens to my New Zealand stream visa application that I made before 10 December 2022?
As announced in the October 2022 Budget, the Government is proceeding with priority processing of these applications in order to finalise the majority by mid-2023.
Can I add my partner and/or my child to my New Zealand stream application after 10 December 2022?
Yes, partners and children may be added to New Zealand stream applications that were lodged before 10 December 2022.
I started an application for a New Zealand stream visa in ImmiAccount before 10 December 2022, can I submit it on or after 10 December 2022?
No. If you started an application for a New Zealand stream visa in ImmiAccount before 10 December 2022 you will not be able to submit your application on or after 10 December 2022. The Government is considering future migration and citizenship pathways for New Zealand citizens in Australia and further information will be provided in due course.
I lodged an application for a New Zealand stream visa before 10 December 2022, do I need to provide any further information?
You will be contacted by the Department of Home Affairs if you need to provide any further information for your New Zealand stream visa application.
What are the period of residence, income threshold and health requirements that have been streamlined and are no longer required to be satisfied by on-hand New Zealand stream visa applicants?
The New Zealand stream criteria that no longer need to be satisfied by a primary applicant are those that previously required the applicant to:
be resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 5 years immediately prior to the date of application, and that residence began prior to 19 February 2016;
and
meet the taxable income threshold in relation to three income years within five years immediately before the date of application (including the income year that ended most recently before the date of application), or be exempt, for example due to care of a child who is to remain in Australia; and satisfy Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4007 relating to health
Family members of the primary applicant included in the visa application will also no longer need to satisfy Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4007 relating to health.
Why have these requirements been removed?
The purpose of the streamlining arrangements is to support faster visa processing of on-hand New Zealand stream applications for New Zealand citizens (and their family members) who have been living in Australia generally for a significant period of time and continued to work in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Does removal of the health criterion post a threat to the Australian community and place undue cost on the public health system?
No. All applicants for a New Zealand stream visa currently hold a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) and are already living in the Australian community. Unlike most other temporary visa holders, New Zealand citizens in Australia who hold a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) already have access to Medicare – they do not require grant of a permanent visa to access Medicare.
Family member applicants who are not the holder of a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) and hold another temporary visa would have had health assessed in relation to that temporary visa before being permitted to enter Australia.”
Old criteria: No longer applicable
Under the old criteria, New Zealand citizens must be usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of a least 5 years before the date of application and that continuous period of usual residence in Australia started on or before 19 February 2016.
Note: New Zealand citizens whose residency began in Australia after 19 February 2016 are not eligible and able to apply for this pathway.
As of 1 July 2021 the AMENDED criteria is available to New Zealand citizens who:
- Earned a taxable income must be a minimum of $53,900 for 3 out of the last 5 years
As of 31 May 2021 and 13 November 2021 new INCOME EXEMPTIONS FOR 2019-2020 & 2020-2021 financial years are available to New Zealand citizens who:
- Can demonstrate that their 2019-20 or 2020-2021 taxable income was adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Note: Only one income exemption due to COVID-19 can be used for either 2019-2020 or 2020-2021, not both.
The applicant:
- would have likely met the minimum amount of the income requirement for the 2019–20 or 2020-2021 income year/s if not for the effect of the COVID‑19 pandemic on the Australian economy, and
- could not meet the minimum amount of the income requirement for the 2019–20 or 2020-2021 income year/s because of the effect of the COVID‑19 pandemic on the Australian economy.
Allowance for time spent offshore due to COVID-19 travel restrictions to be counted as residence in Australia for applicants who were on a pathway to meeting the ‘usually resident’ requirement for the visa.
To apply for this visa, New Zealanders must meet these criteria:
- Usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 5 years immediately before applying, and
- The continuous period of usual residence has to be on or before February 19th, 2016.
- Then applicant must be a Special Category Visa, subclass TY444 holder.
- There is no age limit or occupation restrictions for this specific pathway.
- There is a possibility of requesting a health waiver in cases where the health examination was failed.
- Certain family members may be included, including children under 23yrs old who are still dependent or over 23yrs old if they are deemed as dependents in prescribed circumstances.
Further general criteria includes:
- Five of your most recent Notice of Assessments (2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
- Earned a minimum of $53,900 taxable income per year for the most recent year, AND 2 other years within the last 5 years e.g. 2021 – $53,900+, 2019 – $53,900+, 2017 – $53,900+
- Meet medical health requirements (or be granted a health waiver)
- Meet public interest criteria including good character
- Exemptions may apply in limited circumstances ie Maternity Leave, Work Cover, Family Court orders, Carer’s Leave
New Zealand citizens are able to pay the visa application charge in two split payments known as ‘First & Second Instalments’.
First instalment also known as a base visa application charge is:
- Main applicant: $825
- Additional applicant for an applicant who is at least 18yrs old: $410
- Additional applicant for an applicant who is under 18yrs old: $205
Second instalment of the visa application charge (payable before the grant of the visa) is:
- Main applicant: $3,290
- Additional applicant for an applicant who is at least 18yrs old: $1,645
- Additional applicant for an applicant who is under 18yrs old: $825
The 1st Instalment must be paid at the time the application is lodged. The 2nd Instalment is payable prior to the grant of the visa.
