Subclass 189 - New Zealand Stream - Criteria Explained!

On 1 July 2017,  a new stream of the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa was introduced available to New Zealand Citizens residing in Australia who satisfy certain criteria. Importantly, although New Zealand passport holders already enjoy the ability to remain indefinitely in Australia, they currently do so as the holder of a Special Category Subclass 444 visa, a visa that neither temporary nor permanent in the sense that it will not lead to Australian Citizenship. Conversely, the Subclass 189 visa is a permanent visa meaning that once granted, NZ Citizens and their attached family will then eventually be able to apply for their Australian Citizenship (for current requirements for Australian Citizenship please see our blog here).

​How Much Does it Cost?

The Subclass 189 (NZ Stream) is currently set at $3670 for a main applicant, $1835 for any attached adult (i.e a spouse or child above the age of 18) and $920 for any child under the age of 18. Importantly however, these charges are split as follows:

1st Visa Application Charges (Payable when you submit your application)

Main Applicant = $734
Spouse/Adult Child = $367
Child Under 18 = $184

2nd Visa Application Charges (Payable when the visas are ready to be granted by the DIBP)

Main Applicant = $2936
Spouse/Adult Child = $1468
Child Under 18 = $736

What Are the Requirements?

The requirements of the Subclass 189 NZ Stream can be summarized as follows:

1. Main applicants must hold a Subclass 444 (Special Category) visa
2. Main applicants must have been 'usually resident' in Australia for at least 5 years immediately for a continuous period of at least 5 years immediately before the date of the application; and
3. That continuous period of usual residence in Australia started on or before 19 February 2016
4. Note that the DIBP, in some circumstances, consider applicants to be ‘usually resident’ in Australia during periods when they are not physically present in Australia. For example, fly in and fly out workers.
5. There is no residence requirement for secondary applicants (such as spouse/de facto partner, and dependents children).
6. However secondary applicants must have a valid substantive visa at the time of application as well
7. Main applicants meet the Income Requirement (see below)
8. Standard Health and Character requirements are applicable

 What Does 'Usually Resident' in Australia mean?

• 'Usually resident' in Australia, means that evidence from an actual physical residential address in Australia, such as where an applicant usually eat, sleep, and your intentions to make that place your home.
• Must have been ‘usually resident’ in Australia at 19 February 2016, and continuously up to the time of applying for the visa, indicating applicant has been living in Australia for 5 years.
• DIBP will assess circumstances in two stages, which will examine movement records (previous travel history) and evidence of residence.

What Is the Income Requirement?

• The primary applicant must provide copies of a notices of assessment (NOA), and of any notices of amended assessments, given to them by the Commissioner of Taxation in relation to the four most recently completed income years in the period of five years immediately before applying.

• Unless exempt, for each of the four recent completed income years, the Main applicant’s taxable income (as shown on the Notices of Assessment or re-assessment) must be no less than the minimum amount specified in the table provided below:

• The minimum amount specified above must be based on the primary applicant’s individual taxable income only, not a combination of their partner, other family members or a business. 
• Note: that business owners will need to provide their own notices of assessment from the Australian Taxation Office and cannot provide details of business turnover instead.

Does This Visa Interest You?

At Salvo Migration we are proud of the fact that our Professional Fees are fixed and transparently listed . Accordingly, our charges to help you and your family in the preparation of this specific visa and stream are $3300 plus Outgoings of $110. We do not charge additionally for you to attach your family, however do keep in mind the varying DIBP application charges applicable to your family composition (as mentioned above).

If you are looking for help with the preparation of this visa application, please leave an enquiry online here and we will respond within 24 hours.