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New Zealanders living in Australia will soon be able to apply for citizenship without having to be permanent residents first, in a massive change to Australia's immigration policy.
The direct pathway for New Zealand citizens to attain Australian citizenship will come into effect from July 1, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced this morning.
The landmark change comes after legislation made it more difficult for New Zealanders in Australia to attain citizenship back in 2001.
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"This is a fair change for New Zealanders living in Australia, and brings their rights more in line with Australians living in New Zealand," a statement from Albanese reads.
"This is consistent with our ambition to build a fairer, better managed and more inclusive migration system."
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil has told Today the announcement marks "a really important day of friendship between Australia and New Zealand".
"When Australians go to New Zealand, they're allowed to go to New Zealand, work in New Zealand and have a pathway to becoming a Kiwi if that's what they want to do. But it doesn't flow in the other direction. We're treating Kiwis much worse than Australians living in New Zealand. We're establishing reciprocity and fair treatment between the two countries."
All Special Category Visa holders will be able to apply directly for citizenship without becoming permanent residents first, as long as they meet a four-year residence and other eligibility requirements.
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The rule change will be retrospective, meaning New Zealand citizens who have lived in Australia since 2001 will be able to apply directly for citizenship without gaining permanent residence first.
It will also also Kiwi children born in Australia to become citizens at birth, rather than waiting till they turn 10, as they do under current laws.
It's estimated more than 670,000 New Zealand residents call Australia home and 350,000 can already benefit from this rule change.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has welcomed the change as bringing New Zealand and Australia closer together.
"This is the biggest improvement in the rights of New Zealanders living in Australia in a generation and restores most of the rights Kiwis had in Australia before they were revoked in 2001," Hipkins said in a statement.
"These changes will make a real and meaningful difference to the lives of many New Zealanders and their children by giving those who decide to take up Australian citizenship similar rights to Australians living in New Zealand.
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