Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement

The Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement is an informal agreement between Australia and New Zealand to allow for the free movement of citizens of one nation to the other.

Treaty history

The arrangement was announced on February 4 1973 and came into effect soon after. Although the exact nature of the arrangement has been varied from time to time it still allows citizens of Australia or New Zealand to live in each others nations indefinitely and take on most employment. New Zealand citizens who are not also Australian citizens may not work in Australia in areas involving national security, or in the federal public service.

Prior to 1973, neither New Zealand nor Australia exercised systematic control over immigration from the main Commonwealth nations (principally the United Kingdom and Canada) and hence New Zealanders and Australians were free to move between each country under informal arrangements.

As a result of higher wages and greater economic opportunities in Australia the vast majority of trans-Tasman migration is from New Zealand to Australia. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501052&ObjectID=10373647] [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501052&objectid=10373670]

Unemployment issues

Originally New Zealand citizens arriving in Australia were entitled to unemployment benefits immediately on arrival. During the 1980s and 1990s this became a hotly debated political issue. Starting in 1986 New Zealand citizens were required to be resident in Australia for 6 months before receiving benefits. Now, New Zealand citizens are required to reside in Australia for 2 years before they can receive payments.

Legislative amendments

In 2001 legislation was enacted in Australia, which divided New Zealanders living in Australia into two categories: those who were resident in Australia before 2001 (permanent resident), and those who arrived in Australia after 2001 (Special Category Visa).

Those who were resident before 2001 may claim unemployment benefits as they are Grandfathered Special Category Visa holders. New Zealanders who arrive in Australia after 2001 are not entitled to any unemployment benefits at all as is the norm for people living in Australia only on work permits.They may qualify for benefits after applying to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for a permanent visa and serving the 2 year newly arrived resident waiting period as is the norm for permanent residents of other nationalities. While this still allowed the freedom to live and work in Australia it restricted access to certain privileges of Australian Permanent Residence, such as tertiary education subsidies through HELP.

External links

Related reading
* [http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Foreign-Relations/Australia/0-trans-tasman-travel.php Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade]