Campaigning for fair treatment of New Zealanders in Australia. Information for New Zealanders

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1 Campaigning for fair treatment of New Zealanders in Australia Information for New Zealanders

2 Oz Kiwi acknowledges the traditional owners of this land, and pays respect to their Elders past, present and future

3 Topics Oz Kiwi introduction & history of New Zealanders status in Australia Citizenship process for Protected SCVs Resident Return Visa New visa for New Zealanders, available from 1 July 2017 HELP loan eligibility for students National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) eligibility Aged pension eligibility New Zealand general election, 23 September 2017

4 Who are we? Oz Kiwi are: campaigning for a fair pathway to citizenship for all New Zealanders living in Australia lobbying both the New Zealand and Australian governments run by a network 10 volunteers who provide their time, skills and ideas a Registrable Australian Body and not-for-profit organisation Follow the discussion: Facebook OzKiwi2001 Website

5 Trans Tasman Travel Agreement Trans Tasman Travel Agreement (TTTA) was signed in 1973 Allowed the free movement of people between both countries Closer Economic Relations builds on the TTTA

6 Special Category Visa (SCV) The SCV was introduced 1 September 1994 Granted upon arrival, allows New Zealanders to reside and work indefinitely Defined in the Migration Act as a Temporary Visa Prior to 2001, SCV afforded the same rights and privileges as Permanent Residents of Australia Find out more about the Special Category Visa

7 February 2001 Changes Changes to the Social Security Act Changes to the Australian Citizenship Act Government policies inconsistently apply the term Australian Resident in relation to New Zealanders

8 Rights Comparison Rights of NZ long term residents of Australia versus Australians residing in NZ * = One-off payment of Newstart, Sickness, or Youth Allowance of no more than six months after ten years of continuous residence in Australia.

9 Why did Australian laws change? There are differing views as to why, they include: Australia was concerned about: the increasing social welfare costs for New Zealanders in Australia back door migration New Zealand wanted to stem the brain drain

10 Why don t Kiwis just get Citizenship? NZ Citizens must apply for and be granted a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa PR selection process is complicated and the criteria is very restrictive Employers are often reluctant to sponsor a Kiwi residing on the SCV PR fee is $3,600+ and non-refundable if declined

11 What can I do to help? Follow the discussion on Facebook Raise awareness in your community (face-to-face, letter writing, s) Let us know of agencies/groups that can assist Kiwis in difficulty Donate to Oz Kiwi

12 Citizenship for Protected SCVs New Zealand Citizens may be eligible to apply for citizenship if they: were in Australia on 26 February 2001; or were in Australia for 12 months in the previous two years; or began residing in Australia between 27 Feb & 26 May 2001 and claimed a Centrellink payment, registered as a job seeker etc before 26 Feb 2004 See the Applying for Citizenship information on the website

13 Resident Return Visa (RRV) New Zealand Citizens may be eligible for an RRV if they: cleared Australian customs before 1 September 1994 are living in Australia now show substantial ties of benefit to Australia Have compelling reasons for any continuous absence of 5+ years See the Applying for a Resident Return Visa information on the website Important: if travelling overseas you must renew your RRV after 12 months

14 Resident Return Visa (RRV) If you ever visited Australia before 1 September 1994: for any reason for any length of stay even if you were only a young child even if you travelled on a parent or grandparent s passport you were granted permanent residence RRV reinstates that PR. See the Applying for a Resident Return Visa information on the website Important: if travelling overseas you must renew your RRV after 12 months

15 New visa for New Zealanders SCVs are eligible for a new permanent visa from 1 July 2017 if they: arrived in Australia between 27 Feb 2001 and 19 Feb 2016 have lived in Australia for the last five years earned at least $53,900 taxable income* in each of the five years meet the standard health, character & security checks Your partner & dependent children on your application. See the New visa for New Zealanders information on our website * = there are some income exemptions, details yet to be confirmed

16 HELP loan eligibility New Zealand Citizens may be eligible for a HELP loan if they: arrived as a dependent child aged under 18; have lived in Australia for 10+ years, including: at least eight of the last 10 years; and 18 months of the last two years; Please note If you become a permanent visa-holder you won t be eligible for a HELP loan until you become a citizen. See the HELP loans information on our website

17 National Disability Insurance Scheme: NDIS eligibility services are restricted to Australian citizens & permanent residents up to 350,000 Kiwis pay the NDIS levy but cannot access NDIS children born in Australia to SCV parents become eligible at 10 years See the NDIS eligibility information on our website

18 Aged Pension eligibility New Zealand & Australia have a reciprocal Social Security Agreement Kiwis living in Australia are eligible for a Aged Pension if they: have resided in NZ or Australia for 10 years between age 20 to 65 the Australian Aged Pension is means tested contact Centrelink International Services on There are proposed changes to NZ Superannuation Find out more about the Age Pension & NZ Super

19 NZ General Election The NZ general election will be held on Sat 23 Sept You can vote in the NZ election if you are an NZ: citizen who has been in NZ within the last 3 years Permanent Resident who has been in NZ within the last 12 months Check your enrolment details via to the NZ Electoral Commission website Your vote can influence who forms the next New Zealand Government Ask your MP and candidates their position on Kiwis in Australia

20 Thank you for your support

21 Summary Citizenship for Protected SCVs 26 Feb 2001 or 12 of previous 24 months Resident Return Visa - pre 1 Sept 1994 New visa for New Zealanders - from 1 July 2017 Help loan eligibility - arrived under 18, resided for 10 years NDIS - only Australian citizens, PRs & PSCVs eligible Aged pension eligibility NZ general election visited NZ within 3 years, 12 months if P See the Resources page on our website and Donate to Oz Kiwi