A New Zealand soldier who served in Afghanistan has been arrested in Perth and may be deported despite having no criminal convictions.

Ko Rutene has had his visa cancelled on 'character' grounds because he's a member of the Rebels bikie gang.

Melbourne lawyer Michael Pena-Rees said Mr Rutene had been employed as a mine worker in Australia for the last four years, and has a girlfriend and a one-year-old son there.

Mr Pena-Rees said the Australian Immigration Minister was using the character grounds clause to deport people such as Mr Rutene.

Mr Rutene was a lance corporal in Afghanistan for six months in 2010. He was arrested yesterday.