New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) visa (Subclass 461) - Australian Visa

Overview

We strongly encourage you to undertake any required health examinations and character checks before lodging their application. Lodging a complete application assists with quicker processing times. See Step by Step – Gather your documents.

From 23 July 2025, applicants for New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (subclass 461) visa applicants can import their paper application into ImmiAccount. For more information, see Update to ImmiAccount - new online services for paper-based Child, Other Family, Former Residents, and New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa applications.

Stay

This is a temporary visa. You can stay in Australia for 5 years.

Cost

From AUD445.00

Processing times

For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.

With this visa you can

live, work and study in Australia for 5 years from the date your visa is granted
travel to and from Australia as many times as you want during the 5 year period.

See all conditions

Check your eligibility

You must

not be a New Zealand citizen at the time of application
meet certain eligibility criteria

Help with your visa

If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on Who can help with your visa application.

About this visa

With this visa you can

How long you can stay

With this visa you can

live, work and study in Australia for 5 years from the date your visa is granted
travel to and from Australia as many times as you want during the 5 year period.

How long you can stay

This is a temporary visa. You can stay in Australia for 5 years.

The visa is granted with multiple entry. You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want during the 5 year period.

The visa will be in effect from the date your visa is granted.

Include family

You can combine your application with other when you apply.

who apply for the visa must meet health and character requirements.

You can't add family members to a Subclass 461 visa application after you lodge it.

While you can include members of your family unit when you lodge the application, the department will assess all applicants individually.

Newborn children

Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.

Note: a child born to a New Zealand citizen parent in Australia may not be eligible for New Zealand citizenship by descent. For information about New Zealand citizenship, see the New Zealand government website.

Stay longer

You can't stay in Australia after your visa ceases unless you are the holder of another visa.

You can apply for a further Subclass 461 visa if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Cost

The below are the costs to make a valid application for a Subclass 461 visa:

AUD445.00 for the main applicant.
AUD225.00 for members of the family unit over 18 years of age and AUD110.00 for those under 18 who make a combined application with the main applicant.

You might also have to pay other costs such as for health examinations, police certificates and .

To work out what your visa application might cost, use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the other costs.

Apply from

You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa but not in immigration clearance.

Note: If you seek to satisfy the visa requirements that apply to an applicant who is outside Australia at the time of application, you should lodge your application when you are outside Australia and remain outside Australia until the Department sends you an acknowledgment letter confirming that the Department has received the application. You can only enter Australia if you hold a visa that is in effect.

See the Step-by-Step section for information on how to apply.

See Visa outcome for information on where you must be if we grant you the visa.

Processing times

Your application can take longer to process if:

you do not fill the form out correctly
you do not include all the documents or if more information is requested from you
it takes us longer than usual to verify your information.

We cannot process your application if you do not pay the correct cost. We will notify you if this is the case and if necessary return your application without processing it.

Your obligations

You and members of your family unit must meet all visa conditions that apply and follow all Australian laws.

See the conditions for this visa.

Travel

You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want during the 5 years you may hold your visa.

Visa label

We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a visa label in your passport.

Eligibility

You are not an Australian citizen

You cannot be granted this visa if you are an Australian citizen.

You are not a New Zealand citizen

You cannot be granted this visa if you are a New Zealand citizen.

If you become a New Zealand citizen during the processing of your application you can continue with the application, or instead withdraw it and apply for a Subclass 444 visa and be granted that visa if you meet the requirements.

Certain persons may not be eligible for New Zealand citizenship by descent.

For information about New Zealand citizenship, see the New Zealand government website.

Relationship to a New Zealand citizen

You might be able to be granted this visa if you are in any of the below three categories.

You are a member of the family unit of a New Zealand citizen, who is not an eligible New Zealand citizen and who either:

is in Australia as the holder of a Subclass 444 visa (they can check in VEVO)
will be travelling with you to Australia and will be granted a Subclass 444 visa on entry (check Eligibility).

Note: Your New Zealand family member must have (or be eligible for) a Subclass 444 visa.

New Zealand citizens are not automatically granted a Subclass 444 visa.

To find out if your New Zealand family member already holds a visa, use VEVO.

You are in Australia and you meet all of the following:

You hold a Subclass 461 visa or you do not hold a substantive visa and the last substantive visa you held was a Subclass 461 visa
You are no longer a member of the family unit of the person in relation to whom you were previously granted a Subclass 461 visa
You have not become a member of the family unit of any other person (whether or not you are still a member of the family unit of that other person).

You are outside Australia and you meet all of the following:

You held a Subclass 461 visa when you last left Australia
You are no longer a member of the family unit of the person in relation to whom you were previously granted a Subclass 461 visa
You have not become a member of the family unit of another person (whether or not you are still a member of the family unit of that other person).

If you are outside Australia, you must also meet one of the following:

You have been in Australia as the holder of a Subclass 461 visa for at least 2 years in the past 5 years immediately before you made your visa application
You have substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties with Australia that are of benefit to Australia. You must also have not been away from Australia for a continuous period of 5 years or more immediately before applying for this visa (unless you have compelling reasons for your absence).

For more information on family units see .

Your immigration status when you apply

If you are outside Australia when you apply

You can apply for the subclass 461 visa without needing to hold another type of visa.

If you are in Australia when you apply

You must either:

hold a substantive temporary visa, other than a subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa in the Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream, or
have last held a substantive temporary visa, other than a subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa in the Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream, within the last 12 months prior to your application.

Otherwise, you will be required to meet additional criteria applicable to unlawful non-citizens and certain Bridging visa holders.

Meet the health requirement

You and any members of your family unit who apply for the visa with you must meet certain health requirements.

We strongly encourage you to undertake any required health examinations before lodging your application. Lodging a complete application assists with quicker processing times. To complete your health examinations prior to submitting your visa application visit My Health Declarations(MHD).

Meet the character requirement

You and any members of your family unit 16 years of age or over who apply for the visa with you must meet certain character requirements.

Other family members might also need to meet certain character requirements.

Have health insurance

We recommend you take out health insurance to cover any unforeseen medical treatment you might need in Australia. You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Insurance can help limit your financial liability.

See what is considered as adequate health insurance.

See more about health insurance for overseas visitors.

Reciprocal healthcare agreements

Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal healthcare agreements.

Sign the Australian values statement

If you are 18 years of age or older when you make your application, you must sign the Australian Values Statement unless we decide you are not required to sign it due to any compelling circumstances that you have demonstrated.

Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government

You should not have any outstanding debts to the Australian Government. If you owe the Australian Government any money, you must have made appropriate arrangements to pay it back.

Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused

We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.

In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused, see Limitations on applications in Australia (129KB PDF).

If applying for a visa from outside Australia, see Can I go to Australia.

If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.

Best interests of the child

If you are under 18 years of age, we might not grant this visa if it is not in your best interest.

Not have a No Further Stay condition

You might not be able to apply for this visa if you have a No Further Stay condition.

Check if this affects you.

For all criteria see Schedule 2 for subclass 461 visa in the Migration Regulations 1994.

Meet all these criteria? Check how to apply in our step by step guide.

How to apply

Step 1

Before you apply

You might want to get help with your application.

Get help with your application

Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:

You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.

Have a valid passport or travel documents

All applicants should have a valid passport or other travel document before we grant this visa.

If you need a new passport, plan to get it before you apply for this visa.

If you cannot get a passport or travel document, tell us as soon as possible.

If you get a new passport after you apply, tell us your new passport information as soon as possible. See how to tell us your passport details have changed.

Step 2

Gather your documents

You must give us documents proving your identity and relationship to a New Zealand citizen. You also need to include documents about any members of your family unit who are applying with you.

If your current visa is about to end you can lodge a Subclass 461 visa application by submitting the application form and the identity documents for all applicants and the New Zealand family member.

Provide accurate documents

Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or do not provide true information.

Identity documents

Provide identity documents and evidence of your relationship to a New Zealand citizen.

We need proof of your identity. If you can't prove your identity we might:

refuse your visa application
not grant you another visa for 10 years
not grant any family members you listed on your application a visa for 10 years.

Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.

Also provide:

a national identity card, if you have one
proof of change of name, if applicable.

Documents that prove a change of name include:

a marriage or divorce certificate
change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
documents that show other names you have been known by.

Other relationships

Provide a death certificate, divorce or separation documents, or a statutory declaration if anyone in your application has been:

widowed
divorced
permanently separated.

Photos

Provide two recent passport-size photos (45mm x 35mm) for each person in your application. The photos must have:

a plain background
head and shoulders only
the name of the person on the back.

Character documents

Provide an Australian police certificate if you have spent 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16 years of age. We only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police. We do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police.

Also provide:

an overseas police certificate from every country, including your home country, where you spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16 years of age
military service records or discharge papers if you served in the armed forces of any country in the last 10 years.

If you are under the age of 18, your New Zealand citizen Subclass 444 visa holder (if applicable to your visa application) must also provide police certificates. These certificates must be from Australia, New Zealand and any other country they have lived in for more than 12 months in the last ten years. Learn more at Character requirements for visas.

Complete and provide the following forms:

Where applicable, if you are under the age of 18, your New Zealand citizen Subclass 444 visa holder is strongly encouraged to undertake any character checks before you lodge your application. Lodging a complete application helps achieve faster processing times.

Police Certificate - New Zealand

If you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years in New Zealand you must provide a New Zealand police certificate.

The Department of Home Affairs will initiate the request of a New Zealand criminal record check on your behalf. A case officer will contact you directly to facilitate the check.

You will need to complete the Consent to Exchange of Criminal Record Check Information - Jan 2024 form. You may also be required to provide additional documentation to us if there are any convictions of concern.

Health exams

Check ImmiAccount if you need to do any health examinations. If health examinations are required, you are strongly encouraged to do them before lodging your application so that we can process your application more quickly.

Even though you cannot lodge an application for this visa in ImmiAccount, you can do any required health examinations in ImmiAccount before you lodge your application.

For more information see health requirements.

Evidence of relationship to a New Zealand citizen

You must be the partner of a New Zealand citizen, or the child or step-child of a New Zealand citizen or their .

Evidence of your relationship to a New Zealand citizen can include:

birth certificates for each person claiming to be a member of the family unit of the New Zealand citizen
marriage certificates
death certificates
adoption certificates
family status certificates or family books (if these documents are officially issued and maintained)
evidence that you are part of the New Zealand citizen's family.

See the type of documents you need to provide to us as evidence that you are either the partner or dependent child or step-child of a New Zealand citizen in the sections below.

Also give us evidence that the New Zealand citizen holds or is eligible for a Subclass 444 visa. This can include:

the New Zealand citizen’s birth certificate
the New Zealand citizen's passport.

Partner documents

We need to see evidence that you are in a genuine and ongoing relationship with your spouse or de facto . Provide:

evidence of your partner’s identity, including a copy of their passport, a national identity card if they have one and proof of their change of name (if applicable)
your marriage certificate, or enough evidence to prove that you are in a de facto relationship with your partner
evidence of the genuine and ongoing nature of your relationship with your partner, such as:
- statements from friends or relatives supporting that your relationship is genuine
- statements from you and your partner detailing the level of commitment to one another and support derived from the relationship
- photographs of joint activities and evidence of any joint travel
- joint bank account statements or evidence that you pool your financial resources
- billing accounts in joint names
- joint leases or mortgages
- documents that show you live at the same address as your partner.

If either you or your partner have been married previously, provide evidence of divorce.

Dependants under 18 documents

For every dependent under 18 years of age who is applying with you, provide:

identity documents
proof of your relationship with them, like a birth or marriage certificate
adoption papers or parental court orders, if applicable
character documents, if applicable.

Parental responsibility documents

You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who:

has a legal right to decide where the child (or step-child) lives and
is not coming to Australia with the child (or step-child).

They must complete either:

Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (276KB PDF)
a statutory declaration giving their consent for the child (or step-child) to visit Australia on this visa.

Alternatively, you can show us:

an Australian court order that allows your child (or step-child) to migrate to Australia, or
that the laws of your home country allow them to leaved their home country.

Include a document with the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as:

an identity document that shows the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a passport or driver’s licence
adoption papers or other court documents if applicable.

If the child (or step-child) is not staying with a relative or legal guardian, provide Form 1257 Undertaking declaration (211KB PDF). The person they are staying with must sign the form.

Dependants over 18 documents

Provide identity documents, photos and information about other relationships for dependants who are 18 years of age or older.

For every dependant 18 years of age or older who is applying with you, provide:

identity documents and photos
documents about their other relationships, if applicable
character documents
proof of enrolment at school, college or university, if applicable
proof of dependency.

Proof of dependency

You need to prove that this person is dependent on you. Provide:

a completed Form 47a Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over (307KB PDF)
proof of your relationship with the dependent such as a birth certificate or adoption papers.

You must also prove this person has been financially dependent on you for at least 12 months before you apply. You could provide:

proof they live with you
their tax records
proof they are currently studying.

Usually, your (or step-child) must be under 23 years of age to be included in your application form and be under 23 years of age at the time of visa grant.

However, a child (or step-child) over 23 years of age can be included if they are unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations. In this case, please provide information about the physical or cognitive limitations.

Tell us you are getting help

To nominate someone to:

receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).

Send written notification or your forms with your paper application.

Prepare your documents

Translate

Have all non-English documents translated into English.

Provide original copies and translated documents in your application.

Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:

full name
address and telephone number
qualifications and experience in the language they are translating

These details must be in English.

Certify

When you apply on paper you must provide of your documents.

This includes:

non-English documents
English translations.

If you are emailing us documents after you apply, the documents do not need to be certified. Use a good quality photograph or scan.

Keep

Keep a copy of your completed application.

Send

Send us:

police certificates
as much information as possible to help us decide on your application
each document only once, even if you are using to show more than one thing
all documents with your application, if you can.

Step 3

Apply for the visa

Apply online

You can't apply for this visa online.

Apply on paper

Submit a valid application before any existing visa ceases.

Pay the application charge. See how to pay.
Complete Form 147 Application for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461) (499KB PDF).
Attach:
- the payment receipt (we will not process your application until we see this)
- copies of identity and travel documents for all applicants and your New Zealand citizen family member
- copies of all other relevant supporting documents
- If your passport has expired, provide details and a copy of this passport and evidence that you have applied for a new passport.
Post your application:

Postal address New Zealand Family Relationship visa office GPO Box 9984 SYDNEY NSW 2001 Australia

Ensure you pay the correct postage amount.

You can’t submit this application in person.

If any of the above steps are incomplete, your application may be invalid. We do not process invalid applications. We will notify you if this is the case, and if requested, return your application.

Do not send original documents with your application, only send certified copies. Keep a copy of your completed application for your own records, including any supporting documents.

Step 4

After you apply

We will let you know when we have received your application and documents. See what you can and must do after you apply.

Importing your paper application

After you or someone else has submitted your paper application, import it into your ImmiAccount. You can do this after you get your acknowledgement letter.

Importing your application into ImmiAccount gives you access to online services, making it easier to manage your application.

You can use our online services in ImmiAccount to:

attach supporting documents to your application
view messages
update your details
view your application status
apply for a Bridging Visa (BV)
withdraw your application.

Follow these steps to import your application:

Create a new ImmiAccount or log into your existing ImmiAccount. Our website has instructions on how to use ImmiAccount.
Once you log in, import your application by entering your:
- application ID
- date of birth
- identity document number (Passport, ImmiCard or Titre de Voyage number).

For more information, see Apply and Manage your application in ImmiAccount.

You can import any new and existing applications for this visa.

Status updates

If it is within standard processing times, do not call or email. We do not provide updates on the progress of your application. You will be contacted if additional information is required.

We do not acknowledge receipt of documents you send after you have submitted your application.

Travel

If you apply in Australia, tell us if you want to travel outside Australia while we process your application.

If you leave Australia, make sure you hold a visa that will allow you to return.

Learn about visa expiry.

Learn about Bridging visas.

Health exams

We will let you know if you need to do any other health examinations.

Biometrics

We might ask for . We will let you know if you need to provide them.

Send more information

If you did not include all necessary documents when you applied, provide them as soon as you can.

We might also ask you to provide more information.

If you have imported your application into ImmiAccount, to provide any additional documents you can upload them into ImmiAccount.

If you can’t use ImmiAccount, to provide any additional documents attach them to a completed New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa processing centre form.

We do not acknowledge receipt of documents you send after you apply.

Newborn children

Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.

Stay lawful

If you are in Australia, make sure you continue being a lawful non-citizen by holding a visa while we your application is being processed.

If you held a substantive visa when you applied for this visa, you may be eligible for an associated bridging visa A (BVA). If you are granted a BVA and your current visa ceases before your Subclass 461 visa is decided, the BVA will come into effect. You can stay lawfully in Australia on the BVA while your application is being processed.

See what to do if your visa has ceased or is about to cease.

Learn more about visa expiry.

Mistakes on your application

If you made mistakes in your application, let us know as soon as you can. Complete Form 1023 - Notification of incorrect answers (168KB PDF).

If you have imported your application into ImmiAccount, you can use it to upload the completed form.

If you can’t use ImmiAccount, attach the completed form to the New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa processing centre form.

Help with your application

Let us know if you no longer want someone to:

receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).

If you have imported your application into ImmiAccount, you can use it to upload the completed form.

If you can’t use ImmiAccount, attach the completed form to the New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa processing centre form.

For more information see Who can help you with your application.

Tell us if things change

Things you need to let us know about after you have applied include:

changes to your phone number, address or passport
changes to your marital or de facto status
the birth of a child (or step-child)
you want to withdraw your application.

See what to do if your situation changes.

Step 5

Visa outcome

You can be in or outside Australian when we make a decision.

Ensure you keep your contact details with us up to date. We will let you know in writing our decision about your visa application. If your visa is granted, we will tell you:

your visa grant number
the date your visa starts
your visa conditions.

Keep a copy of the decision with you when in Australia.

If your visa is refused, we will let you know in writing. We will tell you why your visa was refused and whether you have a right to a review of the decision.

When you have this visa

Coming to Australia

In Australia

Leaving Australia

Coming to Australia

Check your travel documents

You must have:

a visa to enter Australia
a valid passport or other travel document.

At the border

Complete an Incoming Passenger Card

All people arriving Australia must complete an Incoming Passenger Card.

Using the SmartGate

We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.

In Australia

What you must do on your visa

You and your family members must meet all visa conditions and follow Australian laws. See your conditions in your grant letter or in VEVO.

Tell us about a change in your situation

Things you need to let us know about include:

changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
changes to your relationship status
the birth of a child (or step-child).

See how to tell us when your situation changes

What you can do on your visa

Check your visa conditions and expiry

See your conditions and work and study entitlements in VEVO.

See how long you can stay

This is a temporary visa. You can stay in Australia for 5 years.

The visa starts on the date it is granted.

To see when you must leave Australia, use VEVO

Staying longer

You can apply for another Subclass 461 visa if you meet the eligibility criteria.

If you no longer meet the eligibility criteria for another Subclass 461 visa, or want to apply for permanent residence, you should explore your options with the Visa finder.

Travelling on your visa

The visa is granted with multiple entry. You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want while you hold your Subclass 461 visa.

The time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa.

Proving you have a visa

To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.

Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.

Working

This visa lets you work and study in Australia. You are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.

Leaving Australia

Before you leave

Check your travel documents

You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.

At the border

Departures SmartGate

We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.

After you leave

Get your super

You are likely to have some money in a superannuation fund if you worked in Australia and you are:

18 years of age or older
paid AUD450 or more before tax in a month.

See how to access your super.

International Movement Record

Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.

Official Information

For complete eligibility requirements, application process, processing times and costs, visit the official Department of Home Affairs page.

View on Home Affairs

Important Disclaimer

The information on this page is intended as a general guide only. Always verify the latest details on the official Department of Home Affairs website or seek help from a registered migration agent.