30/06/2023
From 1 July 2023 New Zealand citizens in Australia who hold a Special Category (subclass 444) visa will be considered permanent residents for citizenship purposes.
This will enable them to apply for Australian citizenship without needing to first hold a permanent visa.
Applications under this direct pathway will open from 12.30pm (AEST) on Saturday 1 July 2023, via the Department of Home Affairs website: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1047