This articles details the difference between many popular Australian and New Zealand visas. Including student visas, temporary and permanent work visas, graduate visas, partner visas and citizenship. It details the common requirements and cost of the different visas.

This article does not provide in depth requirements for each visa. Instead a brief overview of the most common visas. Please only use this as a guide and conduct further research on the visa that you are interested in applying for.

Australian and New Zealand Visas

Study Visa

Study in Australia:

Students must study full time at an education provider that is approved to enroll international students
Students must meet the general temporary entrant requirements
Students can work up to 20 hours per week during class. Students can work unlimited hours during holidays
Requirements for the student visa depend on the students assessment level. Students Assessment level depend on the nationality of the student:
Students must show evidentiary requirements. The requirements differ depending on what country the student comes from.
- Assessment level 1 students usually do not need to show evidence of finances or English
- Assessment Level 2 countries must show evidence of finance, but not English level
- - Students must show $18610 to cover living expenses for the first year of study
  - Tuition Fees for the first year of study
  - Travel Fees
- Assessment level 3 countries (Eg – China, India, Philippines) are required to provide proof of finance and English requirements to obtain the visa
  - Students must show $18610 to cover living expenses for the firs year of study
  - Tuition Fees for the first year of study
  - Travel Fees
Students can include family members (children and spouse/ de facto partner) with application
Family members can usually work up to 20 hours per week.
Student must have insurance for the duration of their course
Visa Application Charge: $550

Study in New Zealand

Students must be offered a place and or have a confirmation of enrollment from an education provider
Students must meet the general temporary entrant requirements
Most students will need to show proof of finances. The amount of funds depend on the length of the course of study:
- If the course is shorter than 36 weeks, students are required to show NZ$1,250 per month of study.
- If the course is longer than 36 weeks, students are required to show NZ$15,000 for each year of study.
Students must have insurance for the duration of their course
Students MAY be able to work up to 20 hours per week and unlimited hours during school holidays
Family members cannot be included on a student visa application for students studying a Bachelor degree or lower. Children and Spouses will need to apply for their own individual visa
Visa Application Charge: Between $117 – 297 NZD

Graduate Visa (After Study)

Graduate Visa in Australia

If a student studies for at least 2 years in a Bachelor/Masters or Doctorate level they can usually obtain a Graduate Visa (Post Study Work Stream) for 2 or more years
If a student studies a vocational course in a course that is on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List for at least 2 years, students may obtain a 1.5 year graduate work visa (Graduate Stream)
Must apply within 6 months of graduation
Minimum English level of IELTS 6 required
Can include family members (children or spouse/de facto partner) on the student visa
Students do not need a job offer to apply for this visa
No financial requirement
Visa Application Charge: $1470 AUD

Graduate Visa in New Zealand

Without Job Offer

A student may be able to apply for a post study work visa if they do not have a job offer.
Visa is valid for 12 months
Must apply within 3 months after the end date of the course
To obtain this visa student must:
- have s completed a course that qualifies for points under the Skilled Migrant Category (Includes most Bachelor/Masters and some vocational studies)
- studied a course that results in at least one qualification at levels four to six (Diploma/Certificate) on the NZQF, and which you have studied towards for at least 60 weeks or
- studied a course that in at least one qualification at levels seven to 10 (Bachelor or higher) on the NZQF, and which you have studied towards for at least 30 weeks
- two courses that result in at least two qualifications at levels four to six (Diploma/Certificate) on the NZQF. Each course must also involve at least 30 weeks study in New Zealand (60 weeks in total) and the final qualification must be at a higher level than the first.
show that you have at least NZ$4,200 to support yourself financially.
Visa Application Charge: $320 NZD

If the student finds an employer in an occupation that is relevant to their qualification, they may be eligible for an additional 2 – 3 year post study work visa

With Job Offer

If a student has an offer of employment relevant to their qualification, they may apply for a Post-study work visa (employer assisted)
This visa is valid for 2 – 3 years in length
To be eligible for a for a Post-study work visa (employer assisted) student must:

have successfully completed a qualification in New Zealand that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category
have evidence of an offer of employment relevant to the course or qualification you have completed
and have finished your qualification, and apply no later than three months after the end date of your student visa for that qualification, or (b) hold a Post-study work visa (open).

Common Work Visas (Temporary)

Employer Sponsored Visa Australia (457 visa)

Must have an employer who is a standard business sponsor providing you a job offer
The job offer must be for for a full time position
Job must be on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List
Must be paid at least minimum wage or at least $53,900 AUD or market salary
The Applicant must have the work experience and education required to fill the role
The company must not be able to find an Australian to fill the role
After two years, the applicant may be able to apply for a permanent visa
Visa duration is generally 4 years in length
Applicants can include family members (de facto/spouse partner and children) with their visa application
Visa Application Charge: $1060 AUD

Essential Skills Work Visa New Zealand

No New Zealand citizens or residents are available to do the job
No minimum wage requirement, however the salary offered must meet that of the market rate or industry standard
The position must be full time
The profession must be on the Essential Skills In Demand Lists; or
The company must have attempted to find a New Zealand employee to fill the role
The Applicant must have the work experience and education required to fill the role
Visa duration is generally 1-5 years in length depending on the occupation
Visa Application Charge: $298 NZD – $318 NZD

Common Work Visas (Permanent)

To obtain a permanent work visa to both Australia or New Zealand, you must have the right mix of skills, qualifications and experience. You will also need to meet health, character and English language requirements.

Applying for general skilled migration is a three stage process:

You complete an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Immigration select Expressions of Interest with sufficient points from a ‘pool’ and you will be sent an invitation to apply for the visa
Selected Applicants can then apply for the visa within a set time frame

General Skilled Migration Australia:

Must be on a job that is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
Must be under 50 years old
Must pass a points test (where applicants collect points based on their age, English level, work experience, education)
Competent English (IELTS 6) minimum
Can include family members on your application
The visa is applied for in 3 steps
- Must lodge an Expression of Interest online through Skills Select
- Must receive an invitation to apply for the visa
- Lodge the Visa Application
Visa Application Charge: $3600 AUD

Skilled Migration Category New Zealand:

Must be on a job that is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
Must be under 55 years old
Minimum English language requirement (Overall IELTS score of 6.5)
Must pass a points test(where applicants collect points based on their age, English level, work experience, education)
Can include family members on your application
The visa is applied for in 3 steps
- Must lodge an Expression of Interest online through Skills Select
- Must receive an invitation to apply for the visa
- Lodge the Visa Application
Visa Application Charge: $3085 NZD + $680 NZD for expression of interest

Partner/Spouse

Partner Spouse Visa Australia

Must be in a spousal/de facto relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident
The couple must have a genuine relationship and a commitment to a shared life together
The couple must live together, or only be separated temporarily
If in a married relationship – the couple must have a valid marriage under Australian law.
If in a de facto relationship – the couple is usually required to be in a relationship for 12 months. However there are circumstances in which the couple is not required to be in a relationship for 12 months.
Initially you will be granted a temporary visa for 2 years. After 2 years you will be able to apply for a permanent visa.
Visa Application Charge: $6865 AUD

Partner/Spouse Visa New Zealand

You must be in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand partner
You must meet health and character requirements.
You must have the support of your partner.
Your partner must be eligible to support your application.
You must be living together (and have been for a minimum of 12 months) in a genuine and stable relationship
the couple has not lived together for 12 months yet (as is required for residence) but can show sufficient evidence of living together in a stable and genuine relationship; or
the residence is already in process, but the applicant wants to travel to NZ before residence application is finalised
Cost $970 – $1670 NZD

Citizenship

Citizenship Australia

Applicant must have resided in Australia for at least 4 years.
Applicant must have been a permanent resident for at least 1 year.
Applicant must spend no more than 270 days of the first 3 years outside Australia
Applicant must spend no more than 90 days of the previous year outside Australia

Citizenship New Zealand

Applicant must already have the right to be in New Zealand indefinitely (you’re a permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia)
Applicant must have lived here for at least the last 5 years and had the right to be in New Zealand indefinitely the whole time

If you are interested in learning more about Australian and New Zealand visas, feel free to contact Pathway to Aus to find out your options:

Apply or Enquire online
E: info@pathwaytoaus.com
P: 07 55 265 900
Skype: pathwaytoaus
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Comparing Australian and New Zealand Visas was last modified: July 26th, 2018 by Nick Yock

Comparing Australian and New Zealand Visas