Income Requirement Change to New Zealand Skilled Visa

The subclass 189 New Zealand skilled visa allows New Zealand citizens who have been resident in Australia for at least 5 years (so long as residency began on or before 19 February 2016) to obtain permanent residancy in Australia. Partners and children can also be included as secondary applicants. Currently, the applicant must have had a taxable income of at least $53,900 per anum in the 4 financial years prior to application, however this will soon change.

What is going to change?

Currently the applicant must have met the income requirement of $53,900 per anum in each of the 4 financial years prior to application.

However, this will change so that the applicant only has to meet the income in 3 out of the 5 financial years prior to application, but they must meet the income requirement in the financial year immediately before application.

When will the change come into effect?

The change will come into effect on 1 July 2021.

Why is this changing?

The Australian Government has changed this requirement to help New Zealand citizens whose income was affected as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

About the author

Nick Hansen

Nick has been a Registered Migration Agent since 2016 when he founded Hansen Migration. Since then he has helped many migrants obtain permanent residency in Australia and Australian citizenship.

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