Subclass 189 - NZ Stream Income Exemption for 2019-20 / 2020-21 Financial Year

The Australian Government has extended measures to support further New Zealand citizens adversely impacted by COVID-19 who are on a pathway to permanent residency.

From 13 November 2021, New Zealand citizens applying for the New Zealand stream of the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa will be able to claim an exemption from either the 2019-20 or the 2020-21 income year.

You can claim an exemption to the income requirement if you:

• can prove that your income for either the 2019-20 or 2020-21 financial year was adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You cannot claim an exemption for both financial years. This could be evidenced by giving us documents that show: 
  • you received JobSeeker/JobKeeper during the 2019-20 or 2020-21 financial year
  • you can show evidence that your employment and/or income was reduced because of the COVID-19 pandemic

These extended measures would assist eligible New Zealand citizens in meeting the requirements of the New Zealand pathway.