Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 for New Zealand Citizens

New Zealand citizens who are granted this permanent visa will be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after 12 months, provided they have held a Special Category Visa (SCV) for five consecutive years. If you are not a New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible to apply for the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) – Points-tested stream.

This temporary pause on new applications allows the Australian Government to consider future immigration and citizenship pathways for New Zealand citizens living in Australia. This move reflects the close relationship between the two nations.

During this period, the Department of Home Affairs aims to process most of the current applications in the New Zealand stream. A dedicated task force has been established to manage this caseload, ensuring the processing of long-pending applications for New Zealand citizens.

Eligibility Criteria

There is no age restriction for the subclass 189 New Zealand visa pathway. However, you must hold a Special Category Visa (subclass 444). Your family members may hold any other visa type. Additionally, you must have been a resident of Australia for five continuous years immediately before your application and have started this period on or before 19 February 2016.

Other requirements include:

• Holding a skilled occupation eligible for this visa subclass (see the list of eligible occupations);
• Obtaining a suitable skills assessment in your designated skilled occupation;
• Being between 18 and 45 years old;
• Demonstrating competent English language proficiency;
• Achieving at least 65 points in the points test;
• Meeting health and character requirements.

Points Test

Applicants are assessed through a points system in various categories, including:

• Age
• English language proficiency
• Skilled work experience (Australian and international)
• Australian and international qualifications
• Credentialed community language skills
• Regional Australian study
• Spouse skills qualifications
• Professional year in Australia.

Benefits of Offering Employment Packages to Contractors

While not required by New Zealand law, providing fair compensation and benefits packages to contractors can foster strong relationships and trust in your business. Offering perks like paid time off, flexible working hours, and parental leave can help maintain compliance with regulations while enhancing your contractor’s job satisfaction.

It’s crucial to avoid misclassifying contractors, as this could create legal complications. Working with an Employer of Record (EOR), like Remote, can help you navigate the laws in New Zealand or any other country, ensuring you remain compliant.

Statutory Employee Benefits in New Zealand

New Zealand’s statutory benefits, or mandatory benefits, include paid leave entitlements such as:

• Four weeks of paid annual leave after one year of service.
• Eleven paid public holidays per year.
• Sick leave of ten days annually after six months of continuous employment, increased from five under the Holidays Amendment Bill. Employees can carry over unused sick leave, up to 20 days.

Bereavement Leave allows employees to take:

• Three days of leave for the death of a spouse, partner, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or spouse’s parent.
• One day of leave for the death of a close person not mentioned above, subject to employer discretion.

Application Process for Subclass 189 Visa

You can apply for this visa whether you are in or outside Australia. Once the Department of Home Affairs makes a decision, they will notify you in writing.

If your visa is granted, you will receive:

• Your visa grant number
• The date your visa begins
• Any visa conditions (if applicable).

If your visa application is denied, you will be informed of the reasons for refusal and whether you have the right to review the decision. Please note that application fees are non-refundable in case of rejection.

Apply Now

To begin the application process, visit the official Australian immigration website.

Visa Cost

The main applicant for the Subclass 189 Visa (New Zealand Stream) must pay AUD 4,240. Additional costs apply if you include family members in your application.

Conclusion

New Zealand, a beautiful island nation in the South Pacific with a population of 5.1 million, is well-known for its stunning landscapes and robust economy. It consistently ranks high in terms of quality of life, making it an attractive destination for businesses and immigrants alike.