Key Factors
- From 1 July, New Zealanders who’ve lived in Australia for at the least 4 years can apply for Australian citizenship.
- With out citizenship, New Zealanders cannot vote in Australian elections.
- Many members of the group have welcomed the transfer.
Alisha Kemp has been dwelling in Australia for the previous 20 years however she’s by no means formally been recognised as an Australian.
She came visiting to Australia with two younger kids and has since had three extra.
Her time right here hasn’t at all times been straightforward however not having citizenship meant she wasn’t eligible for presidency help.
Alisha can now apply for Australia citizenship after dwelling right here for greater than 20 years, as the federal government’s modified pathway for New Zealanders has come into impact. Supply: Equipped
“It affected me massively ready the place I used to be homeless for a short time,” she mentioned,
“It might have been good to have that help financially after I was going by that.”
However an vital authorized change means she’s now eligible, as are round 350,000 different New Zealanders.
As of Saturday, New Zealanders who’ve lived in Australia for at the least 4 years can apply straight for Australian citizenship, with out first securing everlasting residency.
The 1 July rule change – which has been introduced into impact by the Albanese authorities – has been welcomed by the group.
Ms Kemp says she might be making use of for Australian citizenship and is gathering her paperwork.
“It felt very unfair to us, so to have the ability to have this chance now’s actually nice,” Ms Kemp mentioned.
She welcomes the chance to be eligible to use for jobs in Australian Federal Police or Australian Defence Drive and the truth that her kids can apply to check in Australia in the event that they wished.
“It is simply an enormous weight off my shoulders understanding that in the event that they fall on laborious instances they are not left in limbo like I used to be.”
What do the citizenship modifications imply for New Zealanders?
In 2001, the Howard authorities launched particular class visas for New Zealanders who arrived in Australia permitting them to dwell and work right here indefinitely, however citizenship was solely an choice after making use of for everlasting residency.
With out citizenship, New Zealanders cannot vote in Australian elections.
In addition they cannot entry HELP Loans (HECS), the NDIS and a few Centrelink help.
It is a transfer that Laurence Cameron, who’s lived in Australia for the previous decade, believes ought to have occurred sooner.
“It is about time,” Mr Cameron mentioned.
“For like loads of Kiwis, we put it off due to the method concerned, having to develop into a everlasting resident first after which a citizen and in addition the substantial price concerned.”
It is an opportunity at a long-held dream.
He has at all times needed to affix the armed forces and can apply to affix the military reserve as quickly as he can, after making use of for citizenship first.
“I come from a proud household in New Zealand that has represented New Zealand in each wars. Though I do not name New Zealand dwelling, I nonetheless take into account Australia my nation and I wish to serve at some capability, while I am nonetheless at an age that I can, bodily.”
Marie Pewhairangi works intently with the Maori and Pacific Island communities and says the pandemic highlighted simply how dangerous it was for the group.
“That they had no monetary help in any respect,” Ms Pewhairangi mentioned.
“People who have been casually employed, loads of them moved again to New Zealand. Some moved interstate to maneuver in with one another as a result of they thought it might be simpler financially for all of them to be paying one lease somewhat than three or 4.”
The modifications will give many New Zealanders comparable rights to Australians who transfer to New Zealand – who can apply for citizenship in the event that they’ve lived within the nation for 5 years, giving them entry to a variety of presidency advantages.
Citizenship additionally opens the door to the Australian Defence Drive and alternatives to work with federal businesses.