The lack of medical support for Kiwis living in Australia has been raised by one couple who can't receive government money because they aren't permanent residents.
Stephen and Bridie Ansley moved to the Gold Coast from Christchurch following the February 2011 earthquake.
Their daughter Clara, two, was born in Australia and three months ago was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia.
The family applied for Australian permanent residency about 10 months ago, but the slow process, combined with the timing of Clara's diagnosis, has left the family with few financial options.
She does get Medicare but no other funding from the government, and with Clara confined to hospital in Brisbane, the family moved to be with her.
"We're not complaining, we're really just caught in no man's land... it's a bit of a grey area," Mr Ansley says.
Because of Clara's critical state, there is no way the family could move back to New Zealand even if they wanted to.
"She's never had a problem in her life, [then she had a] really high fever and was just a bit irritable than usual.
"We thought she might have a nasty virus.
"It's just horrible, the night we took her into hospital she was running around playing - that was the last time I saw her walking," Mr Ansley says.
Since having chemotherapy, Clara has suffered from numerous side effects including severe nerve damage.
"She's only just been able to sit up by herself, she can't really roll herself over.
"It's just one of those situations, you think you've got a healthy little toddler, the same as everyone else."
The situation has been hard on the whole family, Mr Ansley says.
"It is really hard having to move away from home, when you don't know what's happening from one day to the next."
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help cover medical and living costs while the couple care for their daughter away from home.
So far it has raised nearly $50,000.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs did not respond to Newshub's questions but said it did not comment on individual cases.
The Australian Department of Health and Department of Human Services have also been contacted for comment.
Newshub.
