Kiwis could get Aussie student loans

Kiwis living in Australia may soon be able to get student loans.

New Zealanders who have been long-term residents of Australia since childhood will be given access to the student loans program from January 2016, Education Minister Simon Birmingham says.

Legislation will be introduced to parliament next week, aiming to give access to special category visa holders, Senator Birmingham said in a statement on Saturday.

To be eligible, applicants must have entered Australia as a dependent child and lived here at least 10 years.

If the bill is passed, about 2600 New Zealanders are expected to be eligible for student loans in 2016.