Subclass 189 Visa New Zealand Stream
Subclass 189 NZ Stream Residence Requirement
The applicant for 189 visa NZ stream had been usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 5 years immediately before the date of the application. That continuous period of usual residence in Australia must have been started on or before 19 February 2016.
Income Threshold for 189 NZ Stream
The applicant for visa 189 NZ stream can provide copies of notices of assessment, and of any notices of amended assessments, given to the applicant by the Australian Commissioner of Taxation, of the applicant’s income tax liability in relation to 3 income years ending during the period of 5 years ending immediately before the date of the application. One of those income years must be the income year that ended most recently before the date of the application.
The requirement of notices of assessment is satisfied in relation to a copy of a notice even if the copy does not include the applicant’s tax file number. For each of the 3 income years mentioned the applicant’s taxable income is no less than the minimum amount mentioned in Minimum Income Threshold Table.
Exemption from Income Threshold for Subclass 189 NZ Stream Visa
An applicant can claim exemption from providing evidence to meet the income threshold for 189 Visa Australia, if the applicant is not able to meet the income requirement for any period in the 5 years immediately before the date of application for the following reasons:
- The applicant was prevented from leaving Australia to return to New Zealand because of an Australian court order which assigned primary care of a child to the applicant and placed restrictions on, or restricted the applicant from, removing the child from Australia; or has primary care of a child and the parents have agreed to a parenting plan on the understanding that the child will remain in Australia with access to all parents.
- The applicant was receiving compensation for an injury that prevented the applicant from earning at or above the income threshold; and would have ongoing rehabilitation or compensation discontinued if the applicant returned to New Zealand.
- The applicant was on an approved period of parental (including maternity or paternity) or carer’s leave from the applicant’s usual employment; and immediately before the period of leave, had an annual income that was at least the minimum amount mentioned in minimum income threshold table for the income year; and has resumed, or is expected to resume within a reasonable period, earning an income that is at least the minimum amount mentioned in minimum income threshold table.
- The applicant would have likely met the minimum amount of the income requirement for the 2019–20 or 2020–21 income year if not for the effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic on the Australian economy; and could not meet the minimum amount of the income requirement for the 2019–20 or 2020–21 income year because of the effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic on the Australian economy.
Visa 189 NZ Stream Minimum Income Threshold Table
- Year 2020–21 - A$53,900.00
- Year 2019–20 - A$53,900.00
- Year 2018–19 - A$53,900.00
- Year 2017–18 - A$53,900.00
- Year 2016–17 - A$53,900.00
- Year 2015–16 - A$53,900.00
- Year 2014–15 - A$53,900.00
- Year 2013–14 - A$53,900.00
- Year 2012–13 - A$51,400.00
- Year 2011–12 - A$49,330.00
Visa 189 NZ Stream Evidentiary Requirements for Exemption from Income Threshold
Any of the following documents that assigns primary care of a child to the applicant and is signed by all parents, or has a court seal attached:
- a parenting order;
- a registered parenting plan;
- a written parenting plan;
- a consent order.
Any of the following documents for exemption due to injury and rehabilitation:
- a statutory declaration by the applicant setting out the applicant’s personal circumstances;
- a statutory declaration by the applicant’s employer stating a return to work date and the applicant’s income amount;
- a medical certificate for the applicant;
- official compensation documentation relating to the applicant;
- official rehabilitation documentation relating to the applicant.
Any of the following documents for exemption due to parental or carer's leave:
- a statutory declaration by the applicant setting out the applicant’s personal circumstances;
- a statutory declaration by the applicant’s employer stating a return to work date and the applicant’s income amount;
- a birth certificate for the applicant’s child;
- a medical certificate for carer responsibilities;
- notice of approved parental leave.
Exemption due to COVID-19 Pandemic
- Either a signed letter written on a company letterhead by the applicant's current or former employer stating the applicant’s salary before 1 February 2020; or
- the applicant’s pay slips, salary advices or employment contracts (stating the applicant’s salary) for a period in the 2019–20 or 2020–21 income year to demonstrate that the applicant was likely to meet the income threshold in the 2019–20 or 2020–21 income year; and
- A statutory declaration by the applicant’s employer acknowledging the applicant’s 2019–20 or 2020–21 taxable income has reduced, due to: reduced availability of shifts/hours resulting in a drop in income; or the applicant contracting COVID-19 or having caring responsibilities for a person who contracted COVID-19, preventing the applicant from working and resulted in a drop in income; or medically directed orders to self-isolate, preventing the applicant from working and resulting in a drop in income; or caring responsibilities as a result of COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns (eg schools, childcare centres) that prevented the applicant from working and resulted in a drop in income.
- If the applicant’s employment was terminated then a statutory declaration by the applicant’s former employer stating that the circumstances of the applicant’s dismissal were related to the COVID-19 pandemic effects on the business.
- Documentation proving that the applicant had access to the JobKeeper Wage Subsidy for a period in the 2019–20 or 2020–21 income year including: employee nomination form or other statements or documents provided by the Australian Taxation Office demonstrating that the applicant had access to the JobKeeper Wage Subsidy; or alternative statements provided by the Australian Taxation Office at the applicant’s request.
- Services Australia Centrelink letters showing the applicant claimed and received JobSeeker payments for a period in the 2019–20 or 2020–21 income year.
Subclass 189 NZ Stream Changes 2022
The Visa 189 Australia New Zealand Stream visa has temporarily been closed to new applications effective 10 December 2022. This means a new application for Subclass 189 Visa NZ stream cannot be made from 10 December 2022 until 1 July 2023. This is a temporary pause on new applications for NZ 189 visa, while the Australian Government considers future migration and citizenship pathways for New Zealand citizens in Australia
The following streamlining measures introduced acknowledge that New Zealand citizens are long term residents of Australia, and have been working in Australia and contributing to Australia’s economic growth and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures include removing the requirement for 189 New Zealand stream lodged applications to satisfy criteria relating to:
- A period of residence in Australia;
- The income threshold; and
- Health, given the access New Zealand citizens already in Australia have to Medicare.
Grant of New Zealand stream visas in the 2022-23 Program Year will allow visa holders to access the benefits of permanent residence more quickly, notably the immediate ability to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme and automatic acquisition of Australian citizenship at birth for their children born in Australia.
Visa 189 NZ Stream Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include my spouse in my New Zealand Stream 189 visa application?
Yes, you can include your spouse or de facto partner in your Skilled Independent Visa 189 New Zealand stream visa.
What do we need for visa 189 NZ?
You need to be living and working in Australia since 19 February 2016.
What happens if my 189 NZ visa application is declined?
If your application for Subclass 189 Visa NZ stream visa application is refused then you might have review rights at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
What to do once granted Sub class 189 visa NZ?
You can apply for Australian citizenship after holding permanent residence visa for 1 year.
Why is 189 visa called New Zealand Stream?
Visa 189 is not called New Zealand stream. New Zealand citizens have been provided pathway within Visa Subclass 189 called as New Zealand Stream to apply for Australia's permanent residence.
Can I include dependent family members in visa 189 NZ Stream?
Yes, you can include your dependent family members in your Skilled Independent Visa 189 Australia NZ stream application.
Disclaimer: ‘Atlantis International Pty Ltd’ and its associates are independent consulting entities which are not associated in anyway with the Australian ‘Department of Home Affairs’ (DOHA). Information on this website does not constitute personal migration advice. For a customized migration advice based on your personal circumstances, please call and talk to one of our Immigration Consultants or register your interest with our Associates.
