461 — New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa

Australia•Oceania

Open

461 — New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Application Fee

445 AUD

Stay Duration

5 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Not Specified

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Living in Australia

Cost of Living

1% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryA$67,200

Quality of Life

190/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa.

The Subclass 461 is an Australian temporary visa for non-New Zealand citizens who are family members of a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category visa (subclass 444). It covers partners and dependent children up to age 23, requiring proof of a genuine family relationship but no skills test or job offer.

Holders can live, work, and study in Australia for up to 5 years and may renew if they continue to meet the requirements. There is no direct pathway to permanent residency. The application fee is AUD 445 for the primary applicant. Spouses and partners hold full, unrestricted work rights.

ValidityIndefinite

Processing6-12 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a member of the family unit of a New Zealand citizen who holds a Special Category visa (subclass 444).

Must be a non-New Zealand citizen.

Must meet health and character requirements.

Must have no outstanding debts to the Australian government.

Must be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with the New Zealand citizen (if a partner).

Must provide evidence of the relationship (marriage, de facto, or dependent status).

Can be in or outside Australia when applying for the visa, but not in immigration clearance.

Must sign the Australian Values Statement if 18 years or older.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport and recent passport-sized photographs.

Birth certificate or national identity document.

Evidence of relationship (marriage certificate, de facto relationship evidence like joint bank accounts/leases, or birth certificates for dependents).

Evidence of the New Zealand citizen's Subclass 444 visa status.

Police clearance certificates from countries lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years.

Form 147 (Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa).

Form 80 (Personal particulars for character assessment).

Health examination reports from approved clinics.

Proof of visa application fee payment.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows you to live, work, and study in Australia for 5 years
Allows unlimited travel to and from Australia during the validity period
Can be renewed if you continue to meet the requirements
Does not require formal sponsorship or nomination

Worth Knowing

This is a temporary visa and does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency or citizenship
You cannot stay in Australia after the visa expires unless you hold another visa
You must ensure your New Zealand citizen family member does not hold 'eligible New Zealand citizen' status
Specific conditions (such as 8303 or 8501) may be attached to the visa

Application Process

Prepare your application, including gathering all required identity and supporting documents

Undertake any required health examinations and character checks

Complete Form 147 (Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa)

Pay the visa application charge

Lodge your application by post, courier, or via ImmiAccount as specified by the Department of Home Affairs

Wait for the outcome, providing additional information if requested

Application Forms

147	—
1496i Including family members in your application	Fill online
147 Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461)	—
147	Fill online
147 Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461)	—
147	Fill online
147 Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461)	—
147	Fill online

Verified Claims (24)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Prepare your application, including gathering all required identity and supporting documents; Undert…	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Fee Breakdown	Base application charge: 445 AUD	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Fees	AUD 445	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms	Form 147 (Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (subclass 461) visa); Form 1496i…	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms · 147 · description	Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461)	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms · 147 · url	https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/147.pdf	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms · 1496i · description	Including family members in your application	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms · 1496i · url	https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1496i.pdf	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Ready to see if the 461 — New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa is your path?

Let's check your eligibility against published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.

Check Eligibility

Overview

New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa.

This visa is ideal for the non-citizen partners and dependent children of New Zealanders living in Australia who need to align their legal status with their family unit.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a member of the family unit of a New Zealand citizen who holds a Special Category visa (subclass 444).

Must be a non-New Zealand citizen.

Must meet health and character requirements.

Must have no outstanding debts to the Australian government.

Must be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with the New Zealand citizen (if a partner).

Must provide evidence of the relationship (marriage, de facto, or dependent status).

Can be in or outside Australia when applying for the visa, but not in immigration clearance.

Must sign the Australian Values Statement if 18 years or older.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport and recent passport-sized photographs.

Birth certificate or national identity document.

Evidence of relationship (marriage certificate, de facto relationship evidence like joint bank accounts/leases, or birth certificates for dependents).

Evidence of the New Zealand citizen's Subclass 444 visa status.

Police clearance certificates from countries lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years.

Form 147 (Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa).

Form 80 (Personal particulars for character assessment).

Health examination reports from approved clinics.

Proof of visa application fee payment.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows you to live, work, and study in Australia for 5 years
Allows unlimited travel to and from Australia during the validity period
Can be renewed if you continue to meet the requirements
Does not require formal sponsorship or nomination

Worth Knowing

This is a temporary visa and does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency or citizenship
You cannot stay in Australia after the visa expires unless you hold another visa
You must ensure your New Zealand citizen family member does not hold 'eligible New Zealand citizen' status
Specific conditions (such as 8303 or 8501) may be attached to the visa

Application Process

Prepare your application, including gathering all required identity and supporting documents

Undertake any required health examinations and character checks

Complete Form 147 (Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa)

Pay the visa application charge

Lodge your application by post, courier, or via ImmiAccount as specified by the Department of Home Affairs

Wait for the outcome, providing additional information if requested

Application Forms

147

—

1496i

Including family members in your application

Fill online

147

Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461)

—

147

Fill online

147

Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461)

—

147

Fill online

147

Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461)

—

147

Fill online