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🇳🇿New Zealand
🇦🇺AustraliaNZ-AU

New Zealand to Australia visa requirements

Trans-Tasman: SCV (Subclass 444) granted on arrival. Stay, live, and work indefinitely. New Zealand citizens travel to Australia under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement. There is no pre-travel visa application for most NZ citizens — Australian immigration grants the Special Category Visa (Subclass 444 SCV) when an eligible NZ citizen arrives on a valid NZ passport, subject to health and character requirements. The SCV permits indefinite stay with unrestricted work and study rights, but it is still a temporary visa and ceases when the holder leaves Australia. It does not give all permanent resident or citizen entitlements. Since 1 July 2023, NZ citizens holding an SCV can apply directly for Australian citizenship by conferral if they meet the residence and other eligibility rules; they no longer need to first obtain a permanent visa. The old Skilled Independent (subclass 189) New Zealand stream permanently closed to new applications on 1 July 2023. New Zealand permanent residents who are not NZ citizens follow normal Australian visa rules.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-21
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-21
Visa type
Special Category Visa (Subclass 444, Trans-Tasman)
Maximum stay
Indefinite for citizens
per entry
Entries
Multiple
from issue date
Visa fee
Free
consular fee only
Processing time
On arrival
standard track
Validity
Granted per entry; ceases when you leave Australia
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Carry a valid NZ passport
Only New Zealand citizens qualify for the SCV. NZ permanent residents on a non-NZ passport apply for an ETA / eVisitor like other travellers.
· NZ passport only
/02
Complete the border declaration
Most arrivals complete the paper Incoming Passenger Card. If your Qantas flight is included in the pilot, you may be invited to submit the digital Australia Travel Declaration in the Qantas app. Declare TB, criminal convictions, and biosecurity items honestly.
· IPC / ATD
/03
Arrive and clear passport control
Use SmartGate if eligible or see an officer with your NZ passport. If you meet the SCV eligibility requirements, the visa is granted electronically on entry.
· SmartGate or officer
/04
Live, work, or study from day one
SCV gives unrestricted work and study rights. No further application required for short or long stays.
· work + study rights
/05
Consider citizenship pathway
Since 1 July 2023, eligible NZ citizens holding an SCV can apply directly for Australian citizenship by conferral after meeting the residence and character rules. The 189 New Zealand stream is closed to new applications.
· direct citizenship
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
New Zealand -> Australia · Special Category Visa (Subclass 444, Trans-Tasman)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredValid NZ passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Valid for the duration of stay; biometric e-Passport for eGate use
RequiredIncoming Passenger Card or ATD pass
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Declare food, plants, animals, currency, TB, and criminal history
RequiredHealth declaration
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Active TB is a 'Health Concern Non-Citizen' grounds; declare honestly
RequiredCharacter disclosure
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Declare convictions; sentences totalling at least 1 year or prior removal/deportation can affect SCV eligibility
RequiredFunds evidence (rarely asked)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
Cash or cards for the first few days
RequiredAccommodation address
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Hotel, hostel, or host's address
RequiredMedicare/RHCA evidence
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Short visits use RHCA public-hospital/PBS access with a NZ passport; moving for 6+ months may allow Medicare enrolment
RequiredWorking Holiday Visa (not applicable)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
NZ citizens don't need the 417 visa — SCV gives unrestricted work
RecommendedTravel insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Recommended; reciprocal care doesn't cover everything
RequiredCustoms declarations
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Strict biosecurity; declare food, soil, biological items
ConditionalOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesAustralian Home Affairs — Special Category visa (SCV) subclass 444 (last updated 19 Feb 2026)Australian Home Affairs — Entry requirements for New Zealand citizens (last updated 23 Sep 2024)Australian Home Affairs — Pathways for New Zealand citizens (last updated 23 Sep 2024)
Application link included: Australian Home Affairs — Special Category visa (SCV) subclass 444 (last updated 19 Feb 2026)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
SCV (Subclass 444)FreeGranted automatically to NZ citizens on arrival
Australian citizenship by conferralAUD 575Optional; direct pathway since 1 July 2023 for eligible SCV holders
Skilled Independent NZ stream (189)ClosedPermanently closed to new applications on 1 July 2023
Australian passport (after citizenship)AUD 422Adult 10-year passport fee from 1 January 2026
Biosecurity infringement noticeAUD 660 to AUD 6,600Only if risk goods are undeclared or concealed
Removal after cancellationDetention + removalPossible if the SCV is refused or cancelled
Total estimateFree — AUD 575+incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

SCV grant on arrival
Minutes
Automatic grant at the eGate or counter for valid NZ passport holders.
Australian citizenship by conferral
90% within 7 months
Direct pathway is available to eligible NZ citizens holding an SCV after meeting residence and other citizenship rules.
Skilled Independent NZ stream (189)
Closed
The New Zealand stream permanently closed to new applications on 1 July 2023.
Health or character referral
Varies
TB or criminal-conviction declarations may require officer assessment; NZ conviction pre-travel checks can take around 25 working days.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Behaviour Concern Non-Citizen (BCNC)
NZ citizens can be refused the SCV if they have a sentence of imprisonment of at least 1 year, two or more sentences totalling at least 1 year, certain unsound-mind findings, or prior removal/deportation/exclusion.
Low
/02
Health Concern Non-Citizen (HCNC)
Declaring tuberculosis can trigger a health-concern assessment. Travellers with untreated TB should seek permission before travel.
Low
/03
Prior cancellation of SCV
Section 501 character cancellations are increasingly common since 2014. Past cancellations make re-entry very difficult.
Low
/04
Wrong document type
NZ permanent residents (non-citizens) on a non-NZ passport are not entitled to SCV — they need an ETA, eVisitor, or appropriate visa.
Medium
/05
Biosecurity violation
Bringing undeclared food, soil, or biological items can lead to infringement notices up to AUD 6,600 and possible referral for visa action.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-21
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-21
Codex checked NZ-AU
Codex checked the route on 2026-06-21 against Home Affairs, ABF, Services Australia, NZ Govt, DAFF, and Australian Passport Office sources; refreshed source list, closed the obsolete 189 stream pathway, and updated optional citizenship/passport fees and processing notes.
2026-05-27
New Zealand to Australia route verified
Confirmed SCV (Subclass 444) on arrival, indefinite stay, work and study rights from day one.
2023-07-01 · major
Direct citizenship pathway opened
Australia opened a direct citizenship pathway for NZ citizens who have lived in Australia for 4+ years on the SCV. They no longer need to first obtain permanent residence through the 189 NZ stream.
2023-07-01 · major
189 New Zealand stream closed
The Skilled Independent (subclass 189) New Zealand stream permanently closed to new applications.
2017-07-01
Permanent residence NZ stream opened
Australia created the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) NZ stream as a pathway from SCV to permanent residence; this pathway closed to new applications on 1 July 2023.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do New Zealanders need a visa for Australia?—
Not in the traditional sense — NZ citizens are granted the Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) automatically on arrival when they present a valid NZ passport. The SCV permits indefinite stay with work and study rights.
Can I work in Australia as a New Zealander?+
Can I get permanent residence or citizenship?+
Does Medicare cover New Zealanders?+
What can disqualify me from the SCV?+
What about NZ permanent residents who aren't citizens?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the New Zealand passport

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