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Australia · Work

Australia Skilled Independent visa - New Zealand stream (Subclass 189)

11 facts quoted from the official source

This visa lets eligible New Zealand citizens who have demonstrated commitment and contribution to Australia, live and work in Australia permanently.

Route type
Work
Can bring
—
Not stated in the official source
Requirements
3
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

3 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Character and securityFamily members who apply for the visa must meet our health and character requirements.
  • EligibilityThe Skilled Independent (subclass 189) (New Zealand stream) visa permanently closed to new applications on 1 July 2023.
  • Substantive Visa RequirementYou must be in Australia and holding a Subclass 444 visa when you apply for the visa.
Also stated by the source
  • Eligibility summaryThe Skilled Independent (subclass 189) (New Zealand stream) visa permanently closed to new applications on 1 July 2023.
  • Official Rights TextYou can stay in Australia indefinitely, work and study, enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, sponsor relatives, and travel in/out of Australia for 5 years.
  • Official source basisThe Skilled Independent (subclass 189) (New Zealand stream) visa permanently closed to new applications on 1 July 2023.
  • Official StreamThe official page identifies the New Zealand stream.
  • Report summaryThe Skilled Independent (subclass 189) (New Zealand stream) visa permanently closed to new applications on 1 July 2023.
  • Visa SubclassThe official page identifies this route as subclass 189.
Family

Who you can bring

— Not stated in the official source. The official page for this route does not address dependent-family rights, so we do not publish a claim either way.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Fees
1 proven from the official source.
  • Official Cost TextN/Achecked 2026-07-26
Validity
1 proven from the official source.
  • Official Stay TextPermanently
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every Australia route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for the Subclass 189 to Australia?
The official source states: This visa lets eligible New Zealand citizens who have demonstrated commitment and contribution to Australia, live and work in Australia permanently.

Every answer is quoted from the official immi.homeaffairs.gov.au page for this route, last read 2026-07-26.

We checked 11 points against the official source; 11 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Processing time is not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source immi.homeaffairs.gov.auLast read 2026-07-26 Every quote on this page is from this Australia government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-26 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

Other work routes to Australia

42 other work routes to Australia.

Crew Travel Authority (Subclass 942)Employer Nomination Scheme - Labour Agreement stream (Subclass 186)Employer Nomination Scheme - Temporary Residence Transition stream (Subclass 186)Employer Nomination Scheme visa - Direct Entry stream (Subclass 186)Labour agreement stream (Subclass 482)Maritime Crew visa (Subclass 988)
Same category, elsewhere

Work routes in other countries

224 other countries publish at least one work route. Nearest first.

New Zealand41 work routes Canada68 work routes Japan56 work routes Germany40 work routes Denmark30 work routes France30 work routes

Does the Subclass 189 fit your numbers?

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