Certificate of Status for New Zealand citizens in Australia
Update
1 July 2017
The Department of Immigration, now Dept of Home Affairs, ceased issuing Certificates of Status for New Zealand Citizens in Australia (CSNZCA) from 1 July 2017.
Certificate of Status for New Zealand Citizens in Australia
15 October 2015
Certificates of Status for New Zealand Citizens (CSNZCA) in Australia were issued to Eligible New Zealand Citizens and used for Centrelink purposes only. Now you should request your travel records as proof of your eligibility for Centrelink payments. Alternatively you can contact Centrelink International Services.
You are an Eligible New Zealand Citizen, also known as a Protected Special Category Visa-holder, if you:
- were in Australia 26 February 2001; or
- were in Australia for at least one year in the two years before 26 February 2001; or
- have a Certificate of Australian Residence.
New Zealanders who arrived in Australia within the three month grace period, ie between 27 February and 26 May 2001, required a Certificate of Australian Residence as proof of their Protected Special Category Visa status.
The CSNZCA cannot used as proof of permanent residency status. However, those eligible for a CSNZCA are a considered a Protected Special Category Visa-holder. They are eligible to apply for Australian citizenship, subject to meeting residency and character requirements.
Eligible New Zealand Citizens, or Protected SCVs, should request their travel records as proof of their eligibility to apply for citizenship.
Related
Certificate of Australian Residence
New Zealanders eligibility for Australian citizenship
Overview of New Zealanders in Australia
Have a question?
Click the Ask a Question box on Home Affairs website to use the digital assistant. It may not work with Mozilla Firefox in private browsing mode.
Alternatively, phone the Department of Home Affairs on 13 18 81.
Disclaimer:
The above “Certificate of Status for New Zealand Citizens in Australia” information should not be relied on as an alternative to advice from the Department of Home Affairs, or a professional immigration services provider.
If you have any specific questions about an immigration matter, you should consult the Department of Home Affairs or a professional immigration services provider.