July 2021
In 2020 the Federal Government’s budget announcements included a change in the period in which the applicant must have met the income threshold for the New Zealand Stream of the Skilled – Independent (subclass 189) visa to encourage uptake.
To meet the income requirements for the subclass 189 visa in the New Zealand Stream, the applicant’s taxable income, as shown on their Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notice of Assessment, must be at least the minimum income threshold.
Since the 2012-2013 financial year to date, this minimum income threshold has been $53,900.00.
If you applied on or after 1 July 2021:
You must have met the minimum income threshold for at least three (3) completed financial years in the five (5) years immediately before you apply. One of these years must be your most recently completed financial year.
If you applied before 1 July 2021:
You must have met the minimum income threshold for each of the four (4) completed financial years before you apply.
New exemption category:
In addition to the existing income exemptions available in this regard – i.e., Family Court/parenting plan exemption, compensation claim exemption, and parental/carer’s leave waiver – a COVID-19-related income exemption has been introduced which can be used where the applicant can prove that their income for the 2019-20 financial year was adversely affected due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
However it remains the case that general financial hardship/self-employment and redundancy are not eligible income exemptions in this context.
To speak with an experienced, specialist immigration lawyer regarding your Australian visa application or options, please contact us on +61 3 9329 8744 or by email at info@erskinerodan.com.au
