The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to provide a fast-tracked pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders.
More than 30,000 New Zealanders that have lived in Australia for more than four years have applied for citizenship just 100 days after Albanese Labor Government's direct pathway to citizenship opened on 1 July 2023.
Queensland Kiwis make up more than a third of applicants, closely followed by New Zealanders living in Victoria and New South Wales.
Among the 30,000 are families like the Adlingtons, who have lived in Queensland for over a decade and currently work in Queensland's health, hospitality and correctional services sectors. The family have participated in their local community, paid taxes and worked in areas of critical shortage throughout the pandemic- and will finally be able to feel as though they belong to the country they have called home for more than a decade.
Delivering on its commitment to rebuild the migration system in the national interest, some applicants have already become citizens, a direct result of the Government's work to reduce citizenship processing time by almost 50% in the last year.
Quotes Attributable to Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles:
"The overwhelming interest in the first 100 days of the Albanese Labor Government's pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders demonstrates the incredible connection that our Kiwi family feels towards Australia.
"Thanks to the Government's 50% reduction in citizenship processing times, we're able to get people from application to ceremony quicker, to make it fairer for so many that have been living and working in our local communities for so long.
"I would like to congratulate the 30,000 New Zealanders for their ongoing commitment to being a part of our diverse, multicultural country. I look forward to celebrating with you at a citizenship ceremony soon."
