Australia Immigration: NZ-Based Experts Who Understand Both Markets

We help people choose between New Zealand and Australia, plan a move across the Tasman, and pick the right Australian visa. NZ-side strategy from us, Australian filing from our MARA-registered partner Aparna Prakash at Crystal Migration.

Important: Australian immigration rules change frequently. Subclass 482 was restructured to the Skills in Demand visa on 7 December 2024, and from 1 July 2023 New Zealand citizens have a direct citizenship pathway (no PR step required). Always confirm the current requirements at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before making any decision based on this page.

Source notes: NZ figures from immigration.govt.nz and ird.govt.nz; Australian figures from immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Both sets of rules are revised at least annually.

Who This Page Is For

You are in the right place if you are:

A skilled professional choosing between New Zealand and Australia and want a candid comparison from someone who knows both
Already in New Zealand on a work or resident visa, and now considering Australia for better pay or family reasons
A New Zealand citizen wanting to use the Special Category Visa (SCV) to move to Australia, and unsure what it actually gets you
An employer or HR team trying to bring someone into Australia and need help with the Subclass 482 sponsorship process
A partner or family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident

If you are sure Australia is the right call and you only need someone to lodge papers, we hand you off directly to our partner Aparna Prakash at Crystal Migration, who is MARA-registered. If you are still deciding, comparing, or want strategy advice from people who understand the New Zealand alternative as well as the Australian one, we are exactly the right team to start with.

Australia or New Zealand: An Honest Comparison

This is the question we get asked most often, so it is worth answering up front.

What matters	New Zealand	Australia
Population	~5.2 million	~26.5 million
Median full-time wage	NZD $35.00/hr (Mar 2026, INZ)	AUD $1,396/wk full-time median (ABS, Aug 2024)
Pathway to permanent residence	Multiple: AEWV to Work to Residence, Straight to Residence (Green List), Skilled Migrant Category	Points-based: 189/190 via SkillSelect plus employer-sponsored 186/482
Minimum points (skilled PR)	6 points (SMC, 2023 reset)	65 points to lodge EOI; invitation thresholds usually higher
Time to PR (typical)	24-30 months on AEWV to WTR, or direct on STR	1-3+ years depending on visa and occupation
Job market	Strong in healthcare, construction, IT, education	Larger and more diversified: mining, finance, tech, healthcare
Cost of living (capital)	Auckland high, Wellington moderate-high	Sydney very high, Melbourne high
Climate	Temperate, mild	Wide range, warmer overall
Immigration system complexity	Moderate	More complex, more visa categories
Best for	First-time migrants, families wanting work-life balance, healthcare and education workers	Larger career markets, higher salaries in finance and mining, NZ citizens looking for scale

Source: NZ figure from Immigration New Zealand (immigration median wage NZD $35.00/hour from 9 March 2026, based on Stats NZ June 2025 quarterly data). Australian wage figure from ABS Aug 2024.

The honest truth: there is no universal winner. We have helped clients choose New Zealand because the AEWV is more accessible than Australia's points system, and we have helped clients choose Australia because the salary uplift on a senior role pays for the move within 18 months. It depends on your occupation, your family, and what you want your weekends to look like.

Australian Visa Types We Help With

Australia has more than 60 visa subclasses. Most people only need to understand five or six. Here are the ones we work with most often.

Skilled work and PR

Subclass 482 - Skills in Demand (SID) Visa. Australia's main employer-sponsored work visa. Replaced the previous Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) framing on 7 December 2024. Three current streams: Core Skills Stream (workers earning above the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT); up to 4 years, the most common stream); Specialist Skills Stream (workers earning above the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT, currently AUD $135,000+); up to 4 years; faster processing); and Labour Agreement Stream (workers under negotiated labour agreements). Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years on the Core and Specialist Skills streams. The SID is the closest Australian equivalent of New Zealand's AEWV.

Subclass 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS). Permanent employer-sponsored visa. Three streams: Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition (typically after 2 years on a 482 / SID with the same employer), and Labour Agreement.

Subclass 189 - Skilled Independent. Permanent residence with no employer or state sponsorship. You apply through SkillSelect with an Expression of Interest, and you are invited to apply if your points and occupation are competitive.

Subclass 190 - Skilled Nominated. Like 189, but you need a state or territory government to nominate you. Each state has its own occupation list and criteria, which change every year.

Subclass 491 - Skilled Work Regional (Provisional). Five-year provisional visa for living and working in regional Australia. Pathway to PR via Subclass 191 after meeting income and residence conditions.

For New Zealand citizens

Special Category Visa (Subclass 444 / SCV). Granted automatically when a New Zealand citizen arrives in Australia on a valid NZ passport. You can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. You are NOT a permanent resident, and there are real consequences (more on this below).

Direct pathway to Australian citizenship for NZ citizens (from 1 July 2023). The most important recent change for NZ citizens. New Zealand citizens holding a Subclass 444 SCV can apply DIRECTLY for Australian citizenship after 4 years lawfully present in Australia (with at least 12 months immediately before applying as a permanent resident or SCV holder), without first needing to obtain Australian permanent residence. Under the old rules, NZ citizens had to first secure PR (commonly via Subclass 189 NZ stream) and then wait further before applying for citizenship.

Subclass 189 - New Zealand stream (still available). PR pathway for NZ citizens who have been in Australia for at least 4 years and meet income and character requirements. Still useful for those who want PR specifically (for example to access services or sponsor family) without committing to Australian citizenship.

Family

Partner Visa (Subclasses 820/801 onshore, 309/100 offshore). Two-stage: provisional then permanent. Australia's partner visa rules are more demanding than New Zealand's partnership category - be ready for substantial relationship evidence and a long processing time.

Study

Subclass 500 - Student Visa. For full-time study at an Australian education provider. Comes with limited work rights (currently 48 hours per fortnight during study).

Training and other useful options

Subclass 407 - Training Visa. A short-to-medium-term visa for occupational training under a sponsoring organisation. Useful for early-career professionals or recent graduates who need structured Australian work experience to qualify for a longer-term visa, and for some regulated occupations that require Australian-supervised practice. Maximum stay typically 2 years.

If your situation does not fit any of the above, book a consultation and we will tell you whether there is a path forward and walk you through to our MARA partner Aparna Prakash at Crystal Migration for the Australian filing side.

The Trans-Tasman Pathway: NZ to Australia

This section is for New Zealand citizens. If you are not yet a New Zealand citizen, skip ahead.

New Zealand citizens enjoy one of the most generous mobility arrangements in the world. Under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, you can fly into Australia, present your NZ passport, and you will be issued a Special Category Visa on arrival. No application, no fee, no wait.

But there is a catch most people do not realise until they have been in Australia for a year:

You can work and live indefinitely. Tick.
You cannot vote, run for office, or join the Australian Defence Force without becoming a citizen first.
You have limited access to Centrelink, public housing, NDIS, and HECS-HELP loans unless you have lived in Australia continuously since before a certain date or you become a permanent resident.
Your children born in Australia after 26 February 2001 are NOT automatically Australian citizens unless you are an Australian PR or citizen at the time of their birth.
Tax treatment can change depending on your residence status and how long you stay.

For most NZ citizens who plan to stay in Australia long term, the standout change is the direct citizenship pathway introduced 1 July 2023: after 4 years lawfully in Australia (with at least 12 months immediately prior as an SCV holder or permanent resident), eligible NZ citizens can apply DIRECTLY for Australian citizenship, skipping the previously-required Subclass 189 PR step. The 189 NZ stream still exists for those who want PR specifically, with its own income and good-character thresholds.

We help NZ citizens think through whether the move makes financial sense, when to start the PR clock, and how to time the conversion to maximise tax and social security outcomes. Book a consultation if you want a personalised answer.

Australia's Points Test for Skilled Visas (189 / 190 / 491)

If you are not a NZ citizen and you do not have an Australian employer sponsor, the points-tested skilled visa stream is probably your route. Here is how it works.

Step 1: Skills assessment. Get your occupation formally assessed by the assessing authority for your field (for example, Engineers Australia for engineers, ACS for IT). This often takes 8-16 weeks and costs AUD 600-1,200.
Step 2: English test. Take IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, OET, or Cambridge. Most occupations need at least Competent English (IELTS 6 in each band) to pass; Proficient or Superior English earns extra points.
Step 3: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. This is free and tells the system you are interested.
Step 4: Wait for an invitation. The Australian government issues invitations in monthly rounds. Whether you get invited depends on your points score, your occupation, and how many other candidates with your occupation are in the pool.
Step 5: Lodge the visa application within 60 days. This is the paid step. Application fees for the Subclass 189 (Points-tested) main applicant are from AUD $4,910.

Points overview

The minimum to lodge an EOI is 65 points. The minimum to actually be invited is usually higher (often 80-95 points for popular occupations). Points come from:

Factor	Points
Age (25-32 sweet spot)	0-30
English language ability	0-20
Skilled employment (overseas + Australian)	0-20
Educational qualifications	0-20
Australian study (CRICOS-registered, 2+ years)	5
Specialist education (STEM masters or PhD)	10
Partner skills	0-10
Community language credential	5
State or family nomination (190/491)	5-15
Regional study supplement	5

We help clients calculate their realistic points score, identify which factors they can improve in 6-12 months, and decide whether to wait for a 189 invitation or pivot to a 190 (state-nominated) or 491 (regional).

Why Work With Kiwi Fern for Australian Advice

We are not pretending to be an Australian agency. We are a New Zealand immigration consultancy that has spent 20+ years helping people make trans-Tasman decisions. Here is what we bring:

The "should I" answer first, the "how" answer second. We will tell you when New Zealand is the better option for your circumstances, even though it might lose us the Australian engagement.
A New Zealand alternative pathway. If Australia turns out to be wrong for you, we have a complete NZ practice to fall back on.
Direct MARA partner. For Australian visa lodgement, we work hand-in-hand with Aparna Prakash, MARA-registered migration agent and director of Crystal Migration. One brief, one client journey, two registered teams.
Up-to-date Australian-side reference. Crystal Migration's site is the live reference we use for current Australian pathway changes.
No sales pressure. Our consultations are paid because the strategy IS the service. You get our honest read, not a pitch.

If you only need somebody to lodge an Australian application and you already know what you want, we will hand you off to Aparna Prakash at Crystal Migration directly. That is fine and we will not try to keep you.

Which Australian State Should You Target?

For the Subclass 190 (state-nominated) and Subclass 491 (regional skilled) visas, your choice of state matters as much as your occupation. Each state and territory publishes its own nominated occupation list, points thresholds, and additional eligibility conditions, and these are reviewed at least annually.

State / territory	Demand profile	Notes
New South Wales (Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong)	Strong tech, finance, healthcare	Highest competition; points thresholds typically among the highest. Both 190 and 491 streams active.
Victoria (Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat)	Strong tech, healthcare, education	Stream lists revised regularly. Both 190 and 491 streams active.
Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville)	Construction, healthcare, mining services	Regional 491 areas extensive (most of the state outside Brisbane).
Western Australia (Perth, Geraldton, Bunbury)	Mining, energy, healthcare, construction	Generally lower competition than NSW or Victoria.
South Australia (Adelaide and surrounds)	Healthcare, defence, niche manufacturing	Lower points thresholds; entire state classified as regional for 491.
Tasmania	Healthcare, construction, agriculture, hospitality	Smaller market; entire state classified as regional for 491. Often the most accessible state for niche occupations.
ACT (Canberra)	Government, IT, education	Both 190 and 491 streams; Matrix-based selection model.
Northern Territory (Darwin, Alice Springs)	Healthcare, education, infrastructure	Smaller programmes; less competition.

For state-by-state current lists and points thresholds, our MARA partner Crystal Migration (crystalmigration.com.au) maintains an up-to-date reference. State lists change frequently, sometimes mid-year, so always check the live state government immigration page before lodging an Expression of Interest.

Realistic Cost of Moving from New Zealand to Australia

People often underestimate the cost of crossing the Tasman. A rough budget for a family of four moving from Auckland to Sydney, NZ citizen on SCV (no visa fee), 2026:

Category	Item	Cost (NZD unless noted)
Flights and short-term costs	Flights (4 people, one-way Auckland to Sydney)	$1,800 - $3,000
	Short-term accommodation (4 weeks)	$4,000 - $8,000
	Initial groceries, transport, basics	$1,500 - $2,500
Setting up	Rental bond and first month (Sydney 3-bed)	$5,000 - $10,000
	Furniture and white goods (modest)	$5,000 - $10,000
	School enrolment, uniforms, supplies	$1,000 - $3,000 per child
	Vehicle (used, sensible)	$15,000 - $30,000
Process and admin	Vehicle registration and CTP	AUD $800 - $1,400
	Driver licence transfer	AUD $50 - $150
	Medicare enrolment (SCV holders)	Free (reciprocal cover only for some services)

Total NZ-citizen-to-Australia move: typically NZD $35,000 - $70,000 for a family of four to Sydney; less to Melbourne, materially less to Adelaide or Brisbane.

For non-NZ-citizens applying for an Australian skilled visa, ADD:

Item	Cost
Skills assessment	AUD $600 - $1,500
English test	AUD ~$400
Visa application fee (Subclass 189 main applicant, Points-tested)	From AUD $4,910 (additional charges apply for partner and dependents)
MARA agent fee (full lodgement, standard skilled visa)	AUD $3,000 - $8,000 (more for complex cases)
Medical (per applicant)	AUD ~$400

Confirm current visa fees at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au visa pricing. Schedule revised periodically.

A non-NZ-citizen family of four on a skilled visa is typically looking at NZD $20,000 - $30,000 in visa-related costs alone, on top of the relocation budget above.

Most Common Mistakes We See

After 20+ years of trans-Tasman cases, the same six mistakes account for the majority of declines, delays, and retroactive heartburn.

Assuming "I'm a NZ citizen, I'm fine" indefinitely. The SCV is generous but not equivalent to permanent residence. Children born to SCV holders post-2001 are not automatically Australian citizens; pension and welfare access are limited; some occupations (defence, government) require Australian citizenship. Plan the citizenship pathway from year 1, do not wait until year 5.
Choosing the wrong state for a 190 or 491. Lodging in the highest-points state (NSW or Victoria) when your occupation has a clearer pathway in SA, WA, or Tasmania is the single most common avoidable delay. Targeted state selection often shaves 12-18 months off the wait.
Skipping the skills assessment until late. Skills assessment for many occupations takes 8-16 weeks. Lodging an EOI without a current assessment, or doing the assessment after the EOI is invited, is a common cause of expired invitations and forced re-lodgement.
Assuming Australian English-test rules are the same as New Zealand's. They are not. Australian skilled visas often require Proficient or Superior English (IELTS 7+/8+) for top points, where the AEWV in New Zealand has no English requirement at all for many ANZSCO 1-3 roles. Plan tests early.
Confusing occupation lists. The Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) Core Skills Stream uses one occupation list; Specialist Skills Stream uses another (with the SSIT income threshold); the 189/190 skilled lists are different again. Working off the wrong list is a frequent occupation-mismatch trigger.
Underestimating partner-skills points and partner visa documentation. Australian partner-stream visas demand more relationship evidence than New Zealand partnership visas. Australian skilled visas can also benefit from partner-skills points (up to 10), but only if your partner does their own skills assessment.

A 30-minute consultation with us, before you commit to a pathway, almost always identifies which of these six is most likely to bite you. Book one in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I migrate to Australia from New Zealand?

Yes. If you are a New Zealand citizen, you can move to Australia under the Special Category Visa with no application required: you simply arrive on an NZ passport. If you are a New Zealand resident but not a citizen, you need to either become an NZ citizen first (5 years residence, plus other conditions) or apply for an Australian visa directly from your home country.

What is the easiest Australian visa to get?

For New Zealand citizens: the Special Category Visa (Subclass 444), granted on arrival, with no application. For everyone else: there is no "easy" Australian visa. The most accessible route is usually employer-sponsored Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand), because the employer carries the labour-market test. Skilled independent (189) is the most prestigious but also the most competitive.

Is it easier to migrate to New Zealand or Australia?

For most occupations, New Zealand is currently easier. The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) has fewer points-test hurdles than Subclass 189, and the Skilled Migrant Category points threshold is lower. Australia generally offers higher salaries and a larger market, so the right answer depends on your priorities.

How many points do I need for Australian permanent residency?

You can lodge an EOI at 65 points. To actually be invited, most occupations need 80-95 points. Some highly-demanded occupations have invited at 65-70 points in recent rounds; others have not invited anyone below 95.

How long does an Australian visa take to process?

Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand, employer-sponsored): usually 2-6 months once nomination is approved; Specialist Skills Stream is processed faster.
Subclass 186 (permanent employer-sponsored): 6-15 months.
Subclass 189 (skilled independent): 6-12 months from invitation.
Partner visa: provisional 12-30 months, then permanent stage 12-24 months later.

Always check current processing times at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.

Can a New Zealand-based consultant give me Australian visa advice?

A New Zealand-licensed adviser can give you general advice, country-comparison advice, and strategy advice about Australian options. To lodge an Australian visa application or to give specific immigration advice for a fee inside Australia, we work with our MARA partner Aparna Prakash at Crystal Migration. We will tell you upfront when a piece of advice needs a MARA-registered specialist.

My New Zealand AEWV was declined. Can I try Australia instead?

Sometimes, but a declined NZ application has to be disclosed on Australian forms. Whether it hurts you depends on why it was declined. Book a consultation and we will tell you honestly whether Australia is realistic in your case.

Can I get permanent residency in Australia as a New Zealand citizen?

Yes, and as of 1 July 2023 you can also apply directly for Australian citizenship without first getting PR, after 4 years lawfully in Australia (12 months immediately prior on an SCV or PR). The Subclass 189 (New Zealand stream) PR option still exists for those who want PR specifically. There are also alternative pathways for special categories such as 444 holders who arrived before 26 February 2001.

How much does it cost to migrate to Australia?

Hard costs (government fees, English testing, skills assessment, medicals) typically come to AUD 6,000 - 10,000 for a single applicant on a skilled visa, more for families. Then add agent fees, travel, and relocation. Australia is generally more expensive than New Zealand on the visa side.

Is Kiwi Fern an Australian Registered Migration Agent?

We are a New Zealand immigration consultancy. For Australian visa lodgement, we partner directly with Aparna Prakash, MARA-registered migration agent at Crystal Migration (crystalmigration.com.au). You get the cross-Tasman strategy and decision-making advice from our New Zealand team, and the Australian filing work from a registered Australian agent. Speak to us and we will explain who does what before you commit.

Australian-Side Reference

For the most current Australian visa pathway information, our MARA partner Crystal Migration maintains an up-to-date reference at crystalmigration.com.au. If anything in this page lags an Australian rule change, Crystal Migration's site is what we use to update from.

Considering Australia? Let's compare your options.

Whether you are choosing between New Zealand and Australia, planning a trans-Tasman move, or trying to figure out which Australian visa actually fits your situation, our team can help you think it through. Consultation is NZD $150 or AUD equivalent.