Pathway Assessment
Check whether the applicant may qualify through the current family relationship pathway or as a former 461 visa holder.
Temporary New Zealand Family Visa · Subclass 461
New Zealand CitizenFamily Relationship VisaSubclass 461
The New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa Subclass 461 gives eligible family members of certain New Zealand citizens a temporary pathway to live in Australia for up to 5 years.
It allows holders to work, study and travel in and out of Australia during this period. Unlike many other family visas, there is no formal sponsorship or nomination application.
How We Can Help
Support With the Subclass 461 Application
NZ Status Check
Review the qualifying family member’s Subclass 444 Special Category Visa status and citizenship position.
Relationship Review
Assess evidence of the applicant’s spouse, de facto or dependent family relationship.
Renewal Assessment
Check whether another visa under this pathway may be available after a relationship breakdown or the expiry of a previous visa.
Onshore Visa Check
Review the applicant’s current visa status, application restrictions and any bridging visa issues.
Application Support
Assist with Form 147, supporting documents, paper lodgement and any further requests from Home Affairs.
Which Pathway Applies to You?
Current and Former Visa Holder Pathways
Eligibility is not limited to people who are still in their original family relationship. Previous visa holders may also have a pathway in certain circumstances.
Current Family Member
This pathway may be available where a non-New Zealand citizen is part of the family unit of a qualifying New Zealand citizen connected with the Subclass 444 Special Category Visa.
This can include a spouse, de facto partner or eligible dependent family member.
Former Holder in Australia
A further 461 visa may still be possible after the original relationship ends.
You may qualify if:
- You currently hold this visa, or your last substantive visa was a 461
- You are no longer a member of the original person's family unit
- You have not become a member of another person's family unit
Entering another qualifying family relationship can affect this pathway even if that later relationship subsequently ends.
Former Holder Outside Australia
A former holder outside Australia has additional requirements.
You generally need to have held the visa when you last left Australia and satisfy either:
- At least 2 years of lawful residence in Australia on a 461 during the 5 years immediately before applying, or
- Substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties with Australia that benefit Australia
For the Australian-ties pathway, additional absence requirements also apply.
Requirements
Requirements Depend on the Pathway
The exact requirements depend on which pathway applies, but a new application based on a current family relationship generally requires the following.
Family Unit Requirements
The applicant must not be a New Zealand citizen and must be a member of the qualifying person’s family unit.
This can include a:
- Spouse
- De facto partner
- Dependent child
- Eligible dependent child of a dependent child
A child or stepchild is generally expected to be under 23 unless the special dependency provisions for an older child apply.
Adult dependants must meet the applicable dependency requirements.
Qualifying New Zealand Citizen
For the standard family pathway, the qualifying New Zealand citizen generally needs to:
- Hold a Subclass 444 Special Category Visa in Australia, or
- Be outside Australia, travel with the applicant and be eligible to receive Subclass 444 on entry
They must not be an eligible or protected New Zealand citizen for this purpose and must not also be an Australian citizen.
Health checks can form part of the visa process for the applicant and, in some cases, accompanying family members. Home Affairs may request medical examinations before making a decision.
Applicants must meet the applicable character requirements. Police certificates and additional personal-history documents may be required depending on the applicant’s age and where they have lived.
Where an applicant is under 18, parental consent, court orders or other evidence concerning who has the legal right to determine where the child lives may be required.
Applicants aged 18 or older generally need to meet the applicable Australian Values Statement requirement.
Any relevant debt to the Australian Government generally needs to be repaid or satisfactory repayment arrangements put in place.
Applicants applying from Australia must also ensure their current immigration status allows a valid application.
Previous visa refusals, cancellations, Schedule 3 requirements or a No Further Stay condition can affect the ability to apply.
Relationship and Dependency Evidence
Evidence Depends on How the Applicant Qualifies
Spouse or De Facto Partner
A spouse or de facto partner may need evidence showing the genuine family relationship, such as:
- Marriage records
- Joint finances
- Shared residence
- Social evidence
- Joint commitments
Adult Dependent Family Member
For an adult dependent family member, evidence can include:
- Financial support
- Shared accommodation
- Study records
- Tax records
- Form 47A
- Evidence of physical or cognitive limitations where relevant
Home Affairs currently expects relevant adult dependants relying on financial dependency to provide evidence showing that dependency has generally existed for at least 12 months before applying.
What if the Qualifying Family Member Becomes Australian?
Citizenship Can Change the Future 461 Pathway
This has become particularly important since New Zealand SCV holders gained a direct Australian citizenship pathway.
An existing visa remains valid for its remaining period. However, once the qualifying family member acquires Australian citizenship, family members can no longer make a new 461 application based on that person from the citizenship acquisition date.
Home Affairs reaffirmed this position on 10 August 2026. Different Partner or Child visa options may then need to be considered.
Five-Year Temporary Stay
The five-year stay period starts when the visa is granted.
During that period, the holder can:
- Live in Australia
- Work without a general work restriction
- Study
- Leave Australia and return multiple times while the travel facility remains valid.
Time spent outside Australia does not extend the 5-year visa period.
Application and Grant Location
An applicant can apply while inside or outside Australia, provided they are not in immigration clearance.
The visa can also be granted while the applicant is inside or outside Australia.
Applying in Australia
If applying onshore, the applicant generally needs an eligible substantive temporary visa. Where no substantive visa is held, additional Schedule 3 requirements can apply.
Bridging Visa
An onshore applicant who holds a substantive visa may be eligible for an associated Bridging Visa A after lodging a valid application.
The conditions of the actual bridging visa, including travel or work rights, should be checked individually.
Cost and Processing
Visa Cost
Under charges applying from 1 July 2026:| Applicant | Current Charge |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | AUD 1,330 |
| Additional applicant aged 18+ | AUD 675 |
| Additional applicant under 18 | AUD 325 |
Government fees can change and should be confirmed before lodgement.
How to Apply
Paper-Based Application Process
Form 147
The visa remains a paper-based application. The current process uses Form 147 for the New Zealand family relationship pathway.
Pay the Application Charge
The application charge is paid first.
Lodge by Post
The payment receipt, completed Form 147 and supporting documents are then lodged by post with the designated processing office.
Initial Lodgement
Home Affairs currently does not allow the initial application to be lodged online or in person.
ImmiAccount
After Home Affairs acknowledges the paper application, it can be imported into ImmiAccount for ongoing document uploads, messages and application management.
Document Checklist
Documents to Prepare
Passport & ID
NZ Passport
Subclass 444 Evidence
Relationship Evidence
Marriage Certificate
De Facto Evidence
Birth Certificates
Dependency Evidence
Form 47A
Police Certificates
Form 80
Form 1221
Parental Consent
Form 1229
Health Checks
Travel History
Form 147
The exact documents depend on whether the application is based on a current family relationship, adult dependency or a further 461 application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Subclass 461
Is the Visa Permanent?
No. It is a temporary visa. Holding it for five years does not by itself provide Australian permanent residence. A further application or another visa pathway must be considered if the person wants to remain after the visa ends.
Is It the Same as an Australian Partner Visa?
No. A spouse or de facto partner of a qualifying New Zealand citizen may use this pathway, but it is different from Partner visa subclasses such as 820/801 or 309/100.
Is Formal Sponsorship Required?
No formal sponsorship or nomination application is required. The applicant instead needs to establish the qualifying family relationship and the relevant New Zealand citizen’s immigration status.
Can Family Members Be Added After Lodgement?
Generally, no. Eligible family members can make a combined application at lodgement, but Home Affairs states that family members cannot later be added to an existing application.
Can a Health Insurance Condition Apply?
Yes. The Regulations allow condition 8501, requiring adequate health insurance, and/or condition 8303 to be imposed. Applicants should check the conditions shown on their visa grant or VEVO.
Get Help With Your Application
Review the Family Relationship, Subclass 444 Position and Previous 461 History
Eligibility can depend on more than the family relationship alone. The qualifying person’s Subclass 444 status, citizenship position, your family-unit circumstances and any previous 461 history can affect which pathway is available.
Think Higher Consultants can assist with eligibility assessment, relationship evidence, renewal options, onshore visa issues and preparation of the application.