Are you looking for help with a subclass 461 New Zealand Family Relationship visa application? Book a free consultation today!
Is a member of your family unit a New Zealand citizen?
Are they currently living in Australia, or intending to move to Australia soon? You may be eligible to stay with them under a New Zealand Family Relationship visa (also known as a subclass subclass 461 visa).
When granted, a subclass 461 visa can give you:
- The right to live, work and study in Australia for 5 years
- The right to travel to and from Australia as often as you need in this period
What is the New Zealand Family Relationship visa?
Due to agreements in place between the Australian and New Zealand governments, New Zealand citizens have unique rights to enter Australia. Part of this is access to a Special Category Visa, known as the Subclass 444 visa.
A subclass 444 visa is automatically granted on arrival in Australia, and is free of charge. However, it’s only available to New Zealand citizens; family members are not eligible for this type of visa (unless they are also New Zealand citizens).
The New Zealand Family Relationship visa (subclass 461 visa) was introduced to fill this gap, and allows family members of New Zealand citizens to live in Australia with them.
You can also apply for an additional subclass 461 visa to stay in Australia for a further 5 years, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
Who is this visa for
This visa is for non-New Zealand citizens who are in a genuine family relationship with a New Zealand citizen who holds (or is eligible for) a Subclass 444 Special Category visa.
You can apply if you’re:
- The spouse or de facto partner of a New Zealand citizen
- A dependent child or stepchild of a New Zealand citizen
- Travelling to Australia with your NZ family member, or joining them here
You do not need to be married, sponsored, or applying for permanent residency.
Who is eligible for a New Zealand Family Relationship visa?
A subclass 461 visa is available to spouses, de facto partners, and dependent children of New Zealand citizens who are not holders of a Protected Special Category visa. If you are not a New Zealand citizen yourself, but have a genuine relationship with one, you may be able to apply.
Depending on certain criteria, if you have held this visa before, you may be eligible for it again, even if your relationship with a New Zealand citizen has ended.
You may also be able to include dependent children in your application.
If you’re unsure about your eligibility, we can help you assess your situation and guide you through your options.
What does the visa allow you to do?
If granted, the Subclass 461 visa gives you:
- Up to five years of stay in Australia
- Full work rights
- The ability to study at any level
- Unlimited travel in and out of the country
- The option to include family members in your application
How do you apply?
The 461 visa is a paper-based application, which must be posted to the Department of Home Affairs. At Hansen Migration, we’ll handle everything for you from forms to evidence, so your case is decision-ready from day one.
We can help you with:
- Eligibility confirmation
- Document checklists tailored to your relationship
- Completion of application forms
- Lodging the application
- Communication with the Department
What documents are required?
You’ll typically need to submit:
- Relationship evidence (photos, shared bills, communication history)
- Identity documents and passports
- Police clearances
- Health examinations
- Proof of health insurance
- Evidence of your NZ family member’s visa status or eligibility
What are the visa application fees (as of March 2025)?
- Main applicant: $451.23 AUD*
- Additional applicant over 18: $228.15 AUD*
- Additional applicant under 18: $111.54 AUD*
Other potential costs include:
- Health checks
- Police certificates
- Translations (if applicable)
- Migration agent service fees
During your consultation, we’ll give you a clear breakdown of costs.
How long will it take for a decision to be made on your Subclass 461 application?
Most Subclass 461 visa applications are processed in 2 to 4 months, but timing depends on the quality of your documentation and whether the Department requests more information.
How can you avoid delays?
- Submit all required documents upfront
- Ensure relationship evidence is detailed and consistent
- Use a Registered Migration Agent to help avoid simple errors or omissions
At Hansen Migration, we prepare your case for the best chance of a fast, positive result.
What happens if the Subclass 461 visa is granted?
You’ll be able to:
- Live in Australia for up to five years
- Work and study without restriction
- Travel in and out of the country freely
- Reapply if you continue to meet eligibility requirements
What happens if the visa is refused?
If your application is refused you may be able to appeal the refusal with the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Who should consider professional help for Subclass 461 visa?
While not every case requires a migration agent, you may benefit from expert assistance if you’ve had a visa refused in the past, are including dependent children or have a blended family, are applying from outside Australia, or are unsure about which documents to submit. Applicants with a complex visa or travel history, or those reapplying and needing help responding to a request for further information, can also find professional guidance particularly valuable.
We’ve helped hundreds of applicants successfully navigate these situations, ensuring their applications are complete and decision-ready. With our experience and knowledge of migration processes, we can provide the same support for you, giving you confidence and peace of mind as you take the next step toward living in Australia.
You can include dependent children in your application when you apply. You can also apply for an additional subclass 461 visa to stay in Australia for a further 5 years, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria’?
And if you’re not sure if you meet the criteria, we can help! At Hansen Migration, we specialise in family visas, including the New Zealand Family Relationship visa. Our registered agents are experienced with everything the Australian government needs, and we have a 99.5% success rate with subclass 461 visa applications.
Give yourself the best chance of a fast, successful visa application. Book your free consultation today.
What are the requirements for the visa?
Applicants for the subclass 461 visa need to meet several different requirements. These include:
- Appropriate citizenship status
- Age, health, and identity requirements
- Minimum health insurance requirements
- Passing the ‘character test’
- Sufficient evidence of a genuine relationship
Each requirement is assessed against strict criteria set by the Australian government.
Failing any test can result in the visa application being refused, and your application fee will
likely not be refunded. You can also be barred from applying for this visa again.
That’s why we recommend using the services of a Registered Migration Agent in any important visa application. At Hansen Migration, all our agents are up to date on current laws and requirements. We can help catch any mistakes in your application, reduce your stress, and give you the best chance of a fast, successful visa grant.
Save yourself time and worry with the help of a Registered Migration Agent. Book your
free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can lodge the 461 application from within Australia, as long as your current visa permits onshore applications.
Yes. You can include dependent children or stepchildren if they meet the eligibility and health requirements.
Yes. This visa allows you to work in any job, full time or part time.
Yes. You can study part-time or full-time, at any level.
Yes. As long as you continue to meet the criteria, you can reapply for another Subclass 461 visa before your current one expires.
No. This is a temporary visa. However, you may be eligible for other pathways to permanent residency, depending on your skills or family situation.
If your relationship with your New Zealand citizen family member ends, your visa status may change. You should speak to a migration agent as soon as possible to understand your options.
Download Your Free Family Visa Handbook
Looking for more details on the different visas and the requirements? We’ve put together this handy guide to help answer your questions. Just click below to download a copy today.
If you’ve still got questions after reading it, don’t stress – we can help. Book a free consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents today.
