New Zealand Citizen Family visa (Subclass 461) allows non-New Zealand family members of a New Zealand Citizen to live and work in Australia for up to five years.
This visa allows you to:
Live, work, and study in Australia for five years from the date your visa is granted.
Travel to and from Australia unlimited times during the five-year period.
Stay Longer
You cannot remain in Australia once your visa expires unless you hold another valid visa.
You may apply for another Subclass 461 visa if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
Your obligations
You and any family members included in your visa application must comply with all visa conditions and adhere to Australian laws.
If you and your family members are both non-New Zealand Citizens, you may be eligible to apply for a different partner or family visa.
You may be eligible if
• You are not a New Zealand Citizen
• You are an eligible family member of a New Zealand Citizen
• You are an eligible family member of a Special Category Subclass 444 Visa
Health requirement
You and any family members included in your visa application must satisfy the required health standards.
Health insurance
It is recommended that you obtain health insurance to cover any unexpected medical treatment while in Australia. You are responsible for all healthcare expenses during your stay, and having insurance can help reduce your financial risk.
Repaying any debt to the Australian Government
You must not have any outstanding debts to the Australian Government. If you do owe money, you need to have made suitable arrangements to repay it.
No previous visa cancellations or refusals
Your immigration history will be taken into account when assessing your application. If you have previously had a visa cancelled or an application refused, you may not be eligible for this visa.
No ‘No Further Stay’ condition
If your current visa includes a No Further Stay condition, you may be ineligible to apply for this visa.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s current processing times for this visa
50% of application processed within 72 days
90% of application processed within 5 months
Processing Times Updated 1 November 2025
General
New Zealand Citizens can apply to bring the following family members to Australia to be with them:
• Married or de facto partner
• Dependent children/step-children
Family
You can submit your application together with other members of your family unit.
All family members included in the application must satisfy health and character requirements.
Family members cannot be added to a Subclass 461 visa application once it has been lodged.
Although family members can be included when the application is submitted, each applicant is assessed on an individual basis.
Age
This visa has no age limit
Health & Character
All family members must meet the health and character requirements. All applicants over 16 must provide police clearances.
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Book a consultation
New Zealand Citizens and family members of New Zealand Citizens have different permanent and family visa options. Book a consultation and speak to one of our registered migration agents about your visa options today.