Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement

From Freepedia

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.

The arrangement was announced on February 4 1973 and came into effect soon after. Although the exact arrangements have been varied from time to time the arrangement still allows citizens of Australia or New Zealand to live in each others nations indefinitely and to take on any work not involving national security.

As a result of a generally higher standard of living in Australia far more New Zealand citizens move to Australia than the other way around.

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.

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 after two years' residence, as is the norm for permanent residents of other nationalities. 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.

While this still allowed the freedom to live and work in Australia it restricted access to certain privileges of Australian Permanent Residence.