NZ Permanent Residence and work in Australia

[celeliza]

Hi,

Hope this post is in the right category....

I have just converted my NZ residency to PR which means it's indefinite and I will not lose my residency if I leave the country for few years.

I have been looking at jobs specialising in Quality Assurance which I have gained work experience in NZ for the last three years. I was browsing for new jobs on the website recently. A lot of jobs which are based in Australia have been advertised and on the bottom of the ad it says:

"To be eligible to apply for this position you have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa".

I am not getting my high hopes but wondered if I could live and work in Australia with my NZ PR status or is there a catch?

Thanks,
Claire

[Karen Phillips]

Hi. I think you will find the job ads mean that you have to have the right to work in New Zealand or Australia - which you do. However, the rights of a NZ PR are not the same as those of NZ Citizen. See http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/17nz.htm. Please note that I am not an expert on Australian visas, so please check out what I have said for yourself. Cheers Karen

[batgirl1001]

Yes- the catch is that as a NZ PR you are not entitled to work in Australia.

A NZ citizen is given a special right, a visa to work and reside in Australia on entry into the country. They can immediately apply for a job in Australia without needing to obtain any special work permits/visa like other categories of immigrants.

This entitlement does not extend to NZ PR. If you wish to work in Australia, you will need to apply for an Australian work visa or residency much like everyone else.

The only 'sting' when a NZ citizen works in Australia is that they are not entitled to any benefits - work, services or health related which are only accorded to Australian citizens and PRs. NZ however gives all benefits to Australian citizens and PRs when they come to reside or work in NZ.

If you are still determined to find work in Australia do check out their department of immigration and citizenship for more details. Depending on the job, some visas take a longer time to process than others so you need to weigh that into account.

[celeliza]

I had a feeling that I would not be entitled to work in Australia with NZ PR. Bummer though

I am not too keen to wait another 3 years before applying NZ Citizenship. Wanting to move over to Australia as I did a working holiday there few years ago.

So, if I were to work in Australia, I would need to find a employer to sponsor me - visa subclass 457. Not sure if this would be an easy way.

Another option is to apply visa subclass 461 NZ Family Relationship as I am married to a kiwi. Not sure if I would get the same benefits as a NZ Citizen.

Looks like I have to do some more research on those two visa subclasses....

Cheers,
Claire

[batgirl1001]

I am not sure if there is anyone here you can really help you as applying for Australian visa is a murky area where you are better off making inquiries in an Australian migration forum. The spouse/partner visa in relation to you being married to a Kiwi may not entitle you to work so you need to check those details in case I am correct.

In the end, it may be a better idea to apply for PR to Australia if you do intend to live, work there permanently (your NZ PR is still intact), as being an Australian PR would entitle you to more privileges and benefits than being a NZ citizen despite Kiwis having the benefit of entry and access to live and work in Australian unfettered.

There are many NZ citizens living, working in Australia which have no means to apply for PR because of their lack of skills, education level etc despite living there for years so if you happen to be skilled in a profession where there is a skills shortage that Australia needs, you may have an advantage over them.