🇦🇺Australia Visa for New Zealand Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Student Visa (subclass 500)

Full-time study in a registered (CRICOS) course

Requires a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered institution. Can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while course is in session. Base visa application charge is AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026 (was AUD 2,000 from 1 July 2025, AUD 1,600 from 1 July 2024).

Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)

Post-study work in Australia after graduating from an eligible course

For recent international graduates. Post-Vocational Education Work stream and Post-Higher Education Work stream (plus a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream). Stay length varies by qualification (roughly 18 months to several years). Base charge AUD 5,750 from 1 July 2026 (up from AUD 4,600).

Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482)

Working in a nominated occupation for an approved sponsor

Replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024, keeping the 482 subclass number. Requires an approved Australian sponsor. Three streams: Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreement. Granted for up to 4 years. Base charge for the Core Skills stream is around AUD 4,015 from 1 July 2026.

Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186)

Permanent residence for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer

Permanent employer-sponsored visa. Direct Entry stream, Temporary Residence Transition stream and Labour Agreement stream. Requires nomination by an approved Australian employer. Base visa application charge around AUD 6,140 from 1 July 2026.

Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)

Permanent residence for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory

Points-tested permanent visa. Requires an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, a positive skills assessment, nomination by an Australian state or territory government, and an invitation via SkillSelect. Base charge around AUD 6,140 from 1 July 2026.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)

Provisional 5-year visa to live and work in regional Australia, with a PR pathway

Points-tested provisional visa valid for 5 years. Requires nomination by a state/territory government or sponsorship by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area. Holder must live, work and study in regional Australia. Pathway to the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). Base charge around AUD 6,140 from 1 July 2026.

Training Visa (subclass 407)

Workplace-based occupational training or professional development

For occupational training to improve skills for a job, area of study or field of expertise, or a professional development program. Requires an approved sponsor. Stay of up to 2 years. Base charge around AUD 535 from 1 July 2026.

Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408)

Short-term specific work or activities (events, entertainment, sport, research, religious)

For specific short-term work or activities: invited by an organisation, entertainment industry, sporting activities, religious work, research, staff exchange, high-quality/superyacht crew, etc. Requires a sponsor or invitation. Stay length depends on the activity. Base charge around AUD 535 from 1 July 2026.

Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 / 462)

Holiday and short-term work for young people (age 18-30, or 18-35 for select nationalities)

Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) is for passport holders of countries such as Ireland, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and South Korea. Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) covers the USA, China, Thailand and others. Can be extended to a second and third year by completing specified regional work. Base charge AUD 840 from 1 July 2026.

Partner Visa (apply in Australia) (subclass 820/801)

Spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen (onshore)

Two-stage onshore partner visa: temporary (subclass 820) then permanent (subclass 801), applied for together. Applicant must be in Australia. A single base application charge (around AUD 11,710 from 1 July 2026) covers both stages; a reduced charge applies to former Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa holders.

Partner Visa (apply overseas) (subclass 309/100)

Spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen (offshore)

Two-stage offshore partner visa: provisional (subclass 309) then permanent (subclass 100), applied for together. Applicant must be outside Australia when the provisional visa is granted. Single base application charge around AUD 11,710 from 1 July 2026.

Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300)

Fiance(e) of an Australian citizen or permanent resident, to enter Australia and marry

Temporary visa allowing the holder to enter Australia to marry their prospective spouse; the marriage must take place while the visa is valid (within 9 months of grant), after which the holder can apply for a Partner visa. Base application charge around AUD 11,710 from 1 July 2026.

Medical Treatment Visa (subclass 602)

Temporary stay for medical treatment or to support someone receiving treatment

For people needing medical treatment or consultations in Australia, an organ donor, or a carer supporting a patient. Stay length is tied to the treatment. No visa application charge when applying from outside Australia; onshore applications attract a charge (around AUD 325).

Investor Retirement Visa (subclass 405) - Note: closed to new applicants

Retired investors (no longer available for new applicants since 2018)

Closed to new applications. Existing visa holders may remain. Australia currently has no open dedicated retirement visa and no digital nomad / remote work visa.