Kiwiland – New Zealanders living in QLD rush to become Aussies

More than 1100 New Zealanders living in Queensland have applied to become citizens since the process was fast-tracked days ago.

New Zealanders living in Queensland are keen to call Australia home, with more than 1100 making an application to become citizens since the process was fast-tracked just days ago.

While 3246 New Zealanders replaced their chilly bins with eskies and applied to become Australians since July 1, when a faster pathway was opened for Kiwis living in Australia to become citizens.

More than a third of those were from the Sunshine State.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles will be in Surfers Paradise on Monday for a citizenship ceremony in the city known for its expats from across the ditch.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles

New Zealanders can access a special category visa at no cost allowing them to live, work and study in Australia as long as they like.

From July 1, New Zealanders living in Australia on that visa could apply directly for citizenship, without becoming permanent residents first, if they had been living here for four year and met other normal eligibility requirements, such as around criminal records.

Mr Giles said more than 1000 Kiwis living in Queensland had already taken up the offer in the first five days the new citizenship pathway had been on offer.

“Queensland is home to many Kiwis who have been living, working and contributing to their local communities for so long- but until this year, many haven’t been able to become Australian citizens,” Mr Giles said.

“This isn’t fair and it’s why the Albanese Labor Government made it possible for New Zealanders to apply from July 1.”

There were 1162 applications from Queensland between July 1 and July 5, making up 36 per cent of the total applications from across the country.

Prior to 2001, New Zealand citizens living in Australia on the special visas were able to apply for citizenship without becoming permanent citizens first, but this was changed as part of a bilateral social security arrangement with the nation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the changes to citizenship arrangements with New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins in April this year.

Senate estimates hearings were told earlier this year that of the 670,000 special category visa holders in Australia, up to 300,000 could be eligible.

It was assumed at least 90 per cent of those 300,000 would apply for citizenship at some state, Home Affairs officials said.