Charges from 1 July 2026: main applicant A$1,330.
Visa file / Partner and family visas
New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) visa 461
Five years to live and work in Australia for non-New Zealand family members of a New Zealand citizen.
In force
File: 461
Main chargeA$1,330
Information checked22 October 2026
Personal adviceRegistered agent only
Who it is for
People who are not New Zealand citizens but are members of the family unit of a New Zealand citizen who holds, or will be granted on arrival, a Special Category visa (444). It lets you live, work and study in Australia for 5 years.
Published eligibility
- Not an Australian or New Zealand citizen when the visa is decided.
- A member of the family unit (partner or dependent child, for example) of a New Zealand citizen who is not an 'eligible New Zealand citizen' and who holds a 444 or will travel with you and receive one.
- In Australia: hold a substantive temporary visa (not a 403 Domestic Worker stream) or meet the other immigration status rules; no No Further Stay condition.
- Health insurance, health and character (16 and over).
Where you apply from
In or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance. If you rely on the outside-Australia rules, lodge and stay outside Australia until Home Affairs acknowledges the application.
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
First enquiry
You tell the registered migration agent your current visa, where you are, your family and any past refusals or cancellations.
Where a registered migration agent can helpIdentifies your current visa, its conditions and expiry, and any early risk.
- 02
Check the New Zealand citizen's status
Confirm the New Zealand citizen holds a 444 and is not an eligible New Zealand citizen for other purposes.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks the relationship and the citizen's visa status in VEVO.
- 03
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
Where a registered migration agent can helpSets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
- 04
Relationship evidence
Partner relationship or dependency evidence, identity and the New Zealand citizen's passport.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares relationship evidence to partner-visa standard.
- 05
Lodge with all family
Include all family members at lodgement; they cannot be added later.
Where a registered migration agent can helpIncludes everyone at lodgement.
- 06
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
Where a registered migration agent can helpTracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
- 07
Five-year visa
Live, work and study; travel freely for 5 years. A further 461 is possible if still eligible.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPlans a further 461 or a permanent option before expiry.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | A$1,330 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$675 |
| Family member under 18 | A$325 |
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship | 5 months | 6 months |
Home Affairs visa processing time guide. Read 22 October 2026. Times change monthly and are not a promise. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- Relationship to the New Zealand citizen not proven.
- The New Zealand citizen does not hold a 444.
- No Further Stay condition or invalid onshore status.
- Family members left off the application.
- Health or character.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Identity
Relationship
Other
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
Sources
- Home Affairs: New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) visa (subclass 461)
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
Where this becomes advice
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
Ask for a referral to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130 Ask for a call back about a referral
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.