Eligibility Quiz
Requirements
Core Eligibility
To qualify for an SCV, you must meet all of the following:
New Zealand Citizenship: You must hold New Zealand citizenship and possess a valid New Zealand passport. Citizenship by origin is required—New Zealand permanent residents are not eligible. Your passport must be valid at the time of entry to Australia.
Character Assessment: You cannot be classified as a Behaviour Concern Non-Citizen (BCNC). You are assessed as a BCNC if you have:
- Been convicted of a crime resulting in a sentence of death or imprisonment for at least one year
- Been convicted of two or more crimes resulting in sentences of imprisonment totalling at least one year
- Been charged with and found guilty of a crime while of unsound mind, or found not guilty because the crime was committed while of unsound mind
- Been removed or deported from Australia in the past
- Been removed, deported, or excluded from another country in the past
If you have a criminal conviction, you can check your eligibility using an online enquiry form before travelling.
Health Status: You cannot be assessed as a health concern non-citizen. This applies if you declare untreated tuberculosis (TB) upon entry to Australia. If TB is declared, the Department will request additional information.
No Conflicting Visa Conditions: You cannot hold a visa with a 'no further stay' (condition 8503) condition. You also cannot apply for an SCV on entry if you already hold another temporary visa, though you may apply after entering Australia in such cases.
Special Cases
Children Born in Australia Before 1 July 2022: If a child was born to an SCV holder before this date, the child must be registered as a New Zealand citizen with a citizenship certificate and/or New Zealand passport to apply for an SCV.
Children Born in Australia On or After 1 July 2022: Children born to SCV holders on or after 1 July 2022 may have automatically acquired Australian citizenship at birth by operation of law and do not need to apply for an SCV.
Onshore Applications: You may apply for an SCV after entering Australia if you:
- Became a New Zealand citizen and passport holder after entering Australia
- Entered on a passport that is not a New Zealand passport
- Entered on another temporary visa
- Had a New Zealand citizen baby born in Australia
Protected vs. Non-Protected Status
The SCV system divides holders into two categories with different rights and entitlements:
Protected SCV Holders were in Australia on 26 February 2001 as an SCV holder, or were in Australia for 365 days or more between 26 February 1999 and 25 February 2001 and returned to Australia after 26 February 2001. Protected holders have significantly broader entitlements, including access to most social security benefits without restriction.
Non-Protected SCV Holders entered Australia after 26 February 2001. They have restricted access to social security benefits but, from 1 July 2023, can apply directly for Australian citizenship after four years of residence without first obtaining permanent residency.
Conditions & Warnings
The visa ceases immediately upon departure from Australia — you cannot travel outside and return on the same visa. You must apply for a new SCV to re-enter.
Non-protected SCV holders (arrived after 26 February 2001) have restricted access to social security benefits and cannot vote in elections or access university student loans (HECS-HELP) unless they meet specific residency requirements or become permanent residents.
Your visa is linked to your New Zealand citizenship — if you cease to be a New Zealand citizen (other than by becoming an Australian citizen), your SCV will cease immediately.
SCV holders remain subject to Section 501 character cancellation provisions. Serious criminal conduct can result in visa cancellation and deportation. By March 2022, 2,544 New Zealanders had been deported from Australia under this provision.
From 1 July 2023, SCV holders are considered permanent residents for citizenship purposes only — this is a legal fiction and does not confer permanent residency status for social security or other purposes.
Qualifications
Fees
No application charge for any applicant, whether applying on arrival or onshore.