Being a New Zealander, do I need to appear for I.E.L.T.S for Australian Permanent residence?

You are able to live and work in Australia without applying for a permanent visa (and without sitting the English test), but if you do decide to apply for PR and Citizenship, you may be required to sit this test, depending on what visa you apply for.

We are NZ Citizens & my partner & I are wanting to (next year) go and live in Australia permanently & hence become a Australian Citizen. I have heard that you can apply to get your permanent residence before you start living in Australia is this correct? and if so how can I go about this over here in NZ?

My partner and I are wanting to live in Australia next year, we are New Zealanders and have heard and peoplel have commented that you can apply for residency before you go over to Australia, cutting down the waiting period before become a Australian Citizen, is this correct? and if so how can we go about this? Jan