• Allows non-New Zealand citizens to reside in Australia for 5 years.
• Grants permission to work and study in Australia.
• Provides multiple entries, allowing travel to and from Australia.
• Can be applied for by combining the application with other family members.
• Newborn children born after the application can be included in the visa.
• Extensions to this visa are possible by applying for a further Subclass 461 visa if eligible.

How long you can stay:

• The Subclass 461 visa is a temporary visa that allows the applicant to stay in Australia for 5 years from the date of visa grant. The visa provides multiple entries, allowing travel to and from Australia during this 5-year period.

Include family:

• Family members can be included in the visa application at the time of lodgment. However, family members cannot be added to the application after it has been lodged. Each applicant is assessed individually.

Newborn children:

• If a child is born after the visa application is lodged, specific procedures need to be followed. Please refer to the relevant guidelines for further information. Note that a child born to a New Zealand citizen parent in Australia may not be eligible for New Zealand citizenship by descent.

Stay longer:

• To stay in Australia after the visa ceases, the applicant must hold another visa. It is possible to apply for a further Subclass 461 visa if the eligibility requirements are met.

Apply from:

• The visa application can be made from within or outside Australia. However, the applicant must not be in immigration clearance when applying.

Travel:

• The Subclass 461 visa allows the applicant to travel outside Australia and return as many times as desired during the 5-year visa period.

The visa fee for the main applicant is AUD 420. There is an additional charge for family members over 18 years of age and a reduced fee for those under 18 years who make a combined application with the main applicant.

The Subclass 461 visa may include conditions such as not being disruptive and maintaining adequate health insurance. Please refer to the official website for detailed information on visa conditions.

The processing time for the Subclass 461 visa can range from 36 days to 24 months.

For Applicant:

• Must not be an Australian citizen.
• Must not be a New Zealand citizen.
• Must meet certain eligibility criteria.

Relationship to a New Zealand citizen:

• Must be a member of the family unit of a New Zealand citizen who is either holding a Subclass 444 visa or will be granted a Subclass 444 visa on entry to Australia.
• The New Zealand family member must have or be eligible for a Subclass 444 visa.

Other eligibility scenarios are outlined for applicants who are in Australia and no longer a member of the family unit of a person previously granted a Subclass 461 visa, or for applicants outside Australia who have a history of living in Australia or have substantial ties to Australia.

Immigration status when applying:

• If applying outside Australia, no other type of visa is required.
• If applying within Australia, a substantive temporary visa (excluding Subclass 403 in the Domestic Worker stream) must be held at the time of application or meet specific criteria.

Health insurance:

• It is recommended to have health insurance to cover any unforeseen medical treatment in Australia. The applicant is personally liable for healthcare costs in Australia.

Not have had a visa cancelled or previous application refused:

• A history of visa cancellation or refusal may affect eligibility for the Subclass 461 visa. However, there may be circumstances where the applicant can still apply for a permanent visa. Limitations on applications in Australia apply.

No Further Stay condition:

• Having a No Further Stay condition may prevent the applicant from applying for the Subclass 461 visa.