Australia-New Zealand

Bilateral in force

INTRODUCTION

The Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement (TTTA) is an arrangement between Australia and New Zealand which allows for the free movement of citizens between the two countries. Introduced in 1973, it merely codified the existing reality, as citizens had already enjoyed unrestricted travel since British colonisation decades earlier (Lockhart & Money 2011: 51). While the existing free travel between Australia and New Zealand was encouraged by the countries’ geographical, cultural and colonial links, the TTTA was largely a response to the broader imposition of travel restrictions within the British Commonwealth, which prompted the formalisation and strengthening of the two countries’ relationship (Lockhart & Money 2011: 54).

The TTTA is not governed by a binding bilateral treaty; rather, it was established through a series of ministerial understandings beginning in 1973, implemented separately within each country’s domestic legislation – and it remains this way today. It was designed to allow Australian and New Zealand citizens equal rights to enter each other’s country to visit, live, and work indefinitely without prior authority. Initially, it provided New Zealanders and Australians with the same welfare, pension, and health benefits as citizens of either state.

Until 2001, the TTTA operated largely unchanged, except for requirements introduced by both countries in the 1980s that mandated citizens present passports at the border. In 2001, Australia unilaterally altered the arrangement, requiring New Zealanders arriving in Australia from then on to go through the same process as other non-nationals to gain permanent residency, thus restricting their access to social welfare payments. This change was a reaction to the asymmetrical migration flows between the two states. As increasing numbers of New Zealanders migrated to Australia for a better economic environment, Australia argued that this created an unfair burden on their social welfare system. Although Australia has since introduced a limited pathway for New Zealanders to access permanent residency in 2017, and a direct pathway to citizenship in 2023, Australians continue to receive full benefits in New Zealand.

As the TTTA stands today, New Zealand citizens are automatically provided with ‘temporary’ entry visas upon entry to Australia, subject to health and character requirements. This visa allows them to stay indefinitely in Australia and work, access healthcare and study. However, as a temporary visa, it does not confer the same rights and benefits as Australian citizens or permanent residents, limiting access to social security payments, citizenship, and the sponsorship of family members for permanent residence. In comparison, Australian citizens arriving in New Zealand are automatically granted a residence visa, subject to character and entry conditions. This visa allows indefinite stay with work, healthcare and study rights, as well as full access to social security benefits.

STATE PARTIES

AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND

TIMELINE

1973	The TTTA is announced by a Joint Communique on 22 January from the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers, allowing citizens of both states to “travel between Australia and New Zealand, for permanent or temporary stay, without passports or visas.”
1981	Australia introduced a requirement for New Zealanders to present valid passports upon entry on 1 July.
1986	Australia and New Zealand signed a health care agreement on 2 April allowing Australians temporarily travelling in New Zealand and New Zealanders temporarily travelling in Australia to access immediately necessary medical treatment.
1987	New Zealand introduced a requirement for Australians to present valid passports on entry on 1 November.
1994	Australia introduced a universal visa requirement on 1 September, which includes the temporary Special Category Visa (SCV) for New Zealand citizens arriving in Australia. The SCV is automatically granted on arrival (subject to health and character considerations) and allows grantees to visit, live, work and study indefinitely in Australia.
1998	Australia and New Zealand signed a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement on 4 May, which reaffirmed equal health care access for Australians temporarily travelling in New Zealand and New Zealanders temporarily travelling in Australia.
2001	Australia removed the pathway to permanent residency and restricted access to social welfare benefits for new New Zealand arrivals on 1 July.
2009	New Zealand introduced a universal visa requirement on 16 November, which includes a residence visa for Australian citizens. The Australian Residence Visa is automatically granted on arrival (subject to character requirements) and allows grantees to visit, live, work and study indefinitely in New Zealand. After holding an Australian Residence Visa continuously for two years, Australians can apply for a Permanent Residence Visa.
2017	Australia reintroduced a limited pathway for New Zealanders to permanent residency on 1 July.
2023	Australia introduced a direct pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders in Australia on 1 July.

KEY LEGAL DOCUMENTS

Joint Communique, Australia-New Zealand Cooperation, Wellington, New Zealand. 22 January 1973.

Joint press release by Mr A J Grassby, Minister for Immigration and Mr F M Colman, NZ Minister for Immigration, 15 March 1973.

Agreement on Medical Treatment between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand, (Rotorua, 2 April 1986). Entry into force: 1 July 1986.

Agreement on Medical Treatment for Temporary Visitors between The Government of Australia and The Government of New Zealand, Melbourne, 4 May 1998.

New Australia-New Zealand Social Security Arrangements- Joint Prime Ministerial Communique, Wellington, 26 February 2001.