[Embvetos]

Hello,

Does anyone know if it's possible as a NZ resident (PR < 2 years) to work and live in Australia? Or do you have to go through the whole PR thing again in AU?

Thx, Embvetos

[Elainep]

I believe that it works the other way round (those with Australian residence can live/work in NZ) but those with NZ PR cannot do the same in Australia. Also you have to be careful about moving between the countries before a cetain period is up as it will effect your PR. I'm sure someone with the actual official wording will come along soon and post it :nice1
I have heard of people who obtain PR in Australia first and then travel (short term) to NZ, get their PR for NZ stamped in their passport when they arrive - but not unfortunately the other way round.

[victoria24]

i know that once you become a citizen (5 years?) then you are free to move about in australasia.

[dusk]

having PR in New Zealand gives you no rights at all to work in Australia I'm afraid, you have to be a citizen in order to qualify for that (currently 5 years before you can apply to become a citizen once you have residency unless you got here while it was still 3! and the application for citizenship can take over a year)

so basuically you would have to apply for an Australian work permit and any time spent out of country would not count towards your NZ residency (As far as I know anyway)

[CJ22]

It's designed to put a stop to people using NZ as a gateway for Australia and thereby circumventing the much tougher Australian immigration processes, as was common in the past.

[batgirl1001]

There probably is another way to get there. Study in Australia....like I did. I did my postgraduate degree in Australia for 2 years and on completing the course, was invited to apply for a resident visa. Which of course I didn't...:wah which explains why I am here.

[noet]

this is what we are planning to do. But we are going to apply for australian PR before we come to NZ on a temp. We can stay there for 9 months and if there is no news on the oz PR, we will try to apply for NZ PR. Or another temp visa, doesn't matter really. As long as I can work and my partner can stay there as well.
But I am eligible for PR in Australia, that must make a huge difference.

[batgirl1001]

Well studying for a couple of years in NZ is one of the ways to qualify for the tougher Aussie PR but you still take a long time (about 1 year) in general, unless you get a job after graduation which considerably speeds up the application process. A girl I knew who graduate about the same time I did and got a job as an accountant, got her PR just 3 months after she applied for it. She is now happily married and has been living in Melbourne for 4 years.

Anyway who knows now with the economic recession in Australia. Heard they are considerably cutting down on immigration numbers.