Do New Zealand citizens need a visa to move to Australia?

No separate application needed -- NZ citizens are automatically granted a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) on arrival, on presenting a NZ passport, subject to standard health and character requirements. It lets you live, work and study indefinitely, though it's technically a temporary visa with some real limits (no access to most government payments, can't sponsor family for permanent residence).

How far ahead should I sort my visa if I'm not a New Zealand citizen?

As early as possible -- this is one of the longest lead-time tasks in a move to Australia, and processing times for many visa types run into months.

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8+ weeks before moving

Sort your visa or entry status before you arrive

Confirm your visa or entry status now -- this is one of the tasks with the longest lead times, so don't leave it late.

Find a visa — Department of Home Affairs

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Visa and entry requirements for Australia depend on your nationality and circumstances, not just which country you're moving from -- this varies enough between individual cases that a general guide can't safely tell you which visa category applies to you. Confirm your visa or entry status before committing to non-refundable travel, shipping, or accommodation arrangements where the visa outcome could change your plans.

How to do it

Start with the Department of Home Affairs' own visa finder tool. It's built specifically to match your situation to the right visa category -- start there, not with general advice from a moving guide.
Check processing times for your specific visa category, not just a general estimate -- these vary widely by category and can change with demand.
If your situation is genuinely complex -- multiple visa options, a partner or dependent visa, a past immigration issue -- a registered migration agent is worth the cost. Migration advice is a regulated profession in Australia for a reason; get it from a registered agent, not a general guide.

If you're a New Zealand citizen

New Zealand citizens with a valid New Zealand passport don't need to apply for a visa before travelling to Australia. On arrival, you're granted a Special Category visa, subclass 444, automatically, subject to health and character requirements -- it gives unrestricted work rights and lets you stay indefinitely. It isn't a path to permanent residency by itself, but since 1 July 2023 most Special Category visa holders can apply directly for Australian citizenship by conferral without first holding a permanent visa. Check the Department of Home Affairs' current guidance for New Zealand citizens for anything specific to your situation.

Common mistakes

Assuming a visa that worked for someone else moving from your country applies to your situation -- eligibility depends on your own circumstances, not just your nationality
Leaving this until close to your move date -- some visa categories take months, not weeks
Not checking your visa's specific work rights before assuming you can start a job on arrival

Related tasks

If your visa outcome affects your move date, hold off finalising other time-sensitive bookings -- shipping, temporary accommodation -- until it's confirmed.

Useful links

Find a visa -- Department of Home Affairs -- match your specific situation to the right visa category.
Special Category visa, subclass 444 -- the automatic entry pathway for New Zealand citizens.
New Zealand citizens -- Department of Home Affairs -- official guidance specific to New Zealand citizens moving to Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Do New Zealand citizens need a visa to move to Australia?: No separate application needed -- NZ citizens are automatically granted a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) on arrival, on presenting a NZ passport, subject to standard health and character requirements. It lets you live, work and study indefinitely, though it's technically a temporary visa with some real limits (no access to most government payments, can't sponsor family for permanent residence).
How far ahead should I sort my visa if I'm not a New Zealand citizen?: As early as possible -- this is one of the longest lead-time tasks in a move to Australia, and processing times for many visa types run into months.