Australia: New Zealand Stream Visa Suspended

As a policy update, the government of Australia has temporarily closed the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa (New Zealand Stream) to new applications until July 1, 2023, as it considers future migration and citizenship pathways for New Zealand citizens. Furthermore, the government is introducing concessions to exempt applicants from the residence, income and health requirement thresholds for New Zealand Stream applications for those who have lodged their applications prior to December 10, 2022. Lastly, the Department of Home Affairs has established a dedicated taskforce to finalize New Zealand Stream applications that have already been lodged during this period.