Do New Zealander citizens need a visa to work in Australia?
New Zealander citizens do not need to apply for a traditional work visa before traveling to Australia. Upon arrival, they are automatically granted a Special Category Visa (SCV), subclass 444, provided they meet basic entry requirements. This visa allows New Zealander citizens to live, work, and study in Australia without needing additional permits or applications.
Can New Zealander citizens work in Australia with the SCV?
Yes. The SCV grants citizens from New Zealand the right to work full-time in Australia for an indefinite period, as long as they remain in the country. This makes it one of the most accessible pathways to employment in Australia. However, it’s important to note that while this visa allows work, it is technically a temporary visa and ceases upon leaving Australia.
What should citizens from New Zealand know about working under the SCV?
Although SCV holders can legally work and live in Australia, they do not have the same rights as permanent residents or Australian citizens. For example, they may have limited access to social welfare programs, and their ability to access certain government services or student loans may be restricted.
Additionally, SCV holders who work in Australia are typically required to:
• Register for a Tax File Number (TFN)
• Pay taxes on their income just like Australian residents
• Comply with Australian labor laws, including fair pay and working conditions.
How can New Zealander citizens apply for the SCV (subclass 444)?
There is no application required before arrival. New Zealander citizens are automatically granted the SCV at the airport or seaport upon entry into Australia, as long as they hold a valid New Zealand passport and meet basic character and health requirements.
If a person is already in Australia and needs to renew or apply for the SCV (e.g. after a visa cancellation), it can be done by submitting Form 444 online through the immigration website.
What documents are required for the SCV for New Zealanders?
The main requirements include:
• A valid New Zealand passport
• Proof of entry into Australia (e.g. flight ticket or entry stamp)
• Character documents, such as a police clearance, if requested.
Is there a fee for the SCV?
No, the SCV is issued free of charge upon arrival.
How long is the SCV valid for?
The SCV remains valid indefinitely, as long as New Zealander citizens stay in Australia. If they leave the country, the visa ceases and is reissued automatically upon re-entry (if eligible).
- Global Talent visa (subclass 858). This is a permanent residence visa for people who have internationally recognized, exceptional and outstanding achievements in the relevant field.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186). This visa allows skilled workers appointed by an employer to live and work permanently in Australia.
- Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). This visa allows workers who hold an eligible visa and meet the income requirements to live and work permanently in Australia.
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187). This visa allows skilled workers appointed by an employer in a specific region of Australia to live and work permanently in Australia.
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494). This visa enables regional employers to address identified labor shortages in their region by sponsoring skilled workers if employers are unable to find a suitably qualified Australian worker.
- Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). This visa is for guest workers, New Zealand citizens and Hong Kong or British (overseas) passport holders who have the necessary skills to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). This visa allows designated skilled workers to live and work in Australia as permanent residents.
- Skilled-Recognized Graduate visa (subclass 476). This visa allows recent graduates (engineering) to live, work or study in Australia for up to 18 months. You must have obtained a degree or higher qualification from a specified institution within the last 2 years and be under 31 years of age.
- Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 489). For skilled workers who want to live and work in a specific region of Australia. If you are granted this visa, you can apply for a regional (permanent) skilled worker visa (subclass 887).
- Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887). This visa is for people who have lived and worked in certain areas of regional Australia on a previous eligible visa. With this visa, you can work and study anywhere in Australia, apply for Australian citizenship.
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). A visa for qualified people designated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia.
- Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408). This visa allows you to come to Australia to perform certain types of work on a short-term, temporary basis.
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). A temporary visa that allows international students to live, study and work after completing their studies.
- Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403). A temporary work visa in special circumstances that improves Australia's international relations.
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400). The highly skilled work stream of this temporary visa allows you to undertake short-term highly skilled work in Australia. Suitable if you have special skills, knowledge or experience not normally available in Australia.
- Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482). This temporary visa allows an employer to sponsor a qualified worker to fill a position for which they cannot find a qualified Australian.
- Business Innovation and Investment (permanent) visa (subclass 888). This is a permanent residence visa for business owners, investors and entrepreneurs. This is the last step in the two-step path to permanent residence.
- Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) visa (subclass 188). This is a temporary residence visa for business owners, investors and entrepreneurs. This is the first step on a two-stage path to permanent residence.
- Business Owner (subclass 890). This visa is for people who own and operate a business in Australia. Allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely.
- Investor visa (subclass 891). This visa is intended for people who carry out business and investment activities in Australia. Allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely.
- State or Territory Sponsored Business Owner visa (subclass 892). This visa is for people who own and operate a business in Australia. Allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely.
State or Territory Sponsored Investor visa (subclass 893). This is a permanent residence visa for holders of the State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Temporary) Subclass (Subclass 165) who have a target investment of 750,000 Australian dollars over 4 years.
For successful business owners, investors and senior executives looking to settle in Australia, the Australian Business Visa program is a direct route to doing business in Australia. Below are the options for entering Australia:
Provisional Visa holder, which gives you the right to permanent residence in Australia after opening a business in the country.
Direct permanent residence for applicants who are sponsored by a state or territory government.
Under Australian immigration law, any applicant entering Australia under the first stream will be required to undergo a 2-step permanent residence check. This process involves obtaining a Business Skills Provisional visa for 4 years, continuing to meet the requirements before being able to apply for a Business Skills Residence Visa.
Permanent Resident Business Visa - Australian PR through investment. The second Direct permanent residence stream is only available to applicants who are sponsored by a state or territory government. This visa category is called the Business Talent Visa.
Business Skills Program
The business skills program is divided into 4 different categories:
1. For business owners or part-owners.
2. Senior executive of a large business.
3. Individuals or business owners who wish to invest in Australia.
4. People with significant business history who have received sponsorship from a state or territory government.
Stage 1
Temporary Business Visa
There are 5 routes for obtaining a 188 business visa
188A Visa (Business and Innovation Stream)
188B Visa (Investor Stream)
188C Visa (Significant Investor Stream)
188D Visa (Premium Investor Stream)
188E Visa (Entrepreneur Stream)
Stage 2
Permanent Business visa
888 Visa is Permanent Business Innovation And Investment
888 Visa (Business Innovation And Investment (Permanent)
List of documents for submitting a Business Visa application:
- Confirmation of visa fee payment
- Application on Form 1415
- 1 color photo
- Photocopy of the personal data page of a valid foreign passport
- Confirmation of your previous international trips: copies of visas
- Confirmation of the possibility of financing the trip.
- Documents confirming the business purpose of the trip, which may include:
1. Letter of invitation from an Australian organization
2. A letter of support from your employer or organization, describing the reasons for the trip and the intended business activity in Australia
3. Documents confirming relevant qualifications, registration or membership in professional associations
- Individuals planning to participate in an event registered with the DIAC International Event Coordination System (IECN) do not need to submit an invitation letter.
Holders of passports issued by the following countries who have an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) with the code "AUS" on the back valid for travel to Australia can enter visa-free for business travel for up to 90 days.
ABTCs are issued to citizens of: Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
For most work visas, there is an option to include a spouse or common-law partner on your application, or to use the subsequent entry scheme where the worker's partner applies for the same visa type and is also entitled to work and live in Australia with the main applicant.
However, to include a partner in your application or to apply for subsequent entry, you must prove that your relationship is genuine. As proof, you can provide a marriage certificate, joint bank accounts, lease agreements, confirmation of joint trips and vacations, etc.
Partners of student visa holders (subclass 500) also receive student visas, so they have the same employment rights as a student and can work no more than 40 hours per fortnight. The only exceptions are partners of students who are studying at a master's or doctorate. They can work an unlimited number of hours after the student has started their course.
Australia