Citizenship in Australia: the Complete Guide to Becoming an Australian Citizen
There are many pathways available in obtaining citizenship in Australia. The most common one is Australian citizenship by conferral, which requires you to be a permanent resident and meet certain criteria before applying. It also includes completing an application to become a citizenship in Australia, passing a citizenship exam, and going to a ceremony. This process ensures that new citizens are fully integrated into Australian society and committed to upholding its values.
But how exactly does one become a citizen of Australia? How to apply for citizenship in Australia? In this guide, we’ll explore the detailed process of obtaining citizenship in Australia and shed light on the journey from permanent residency to becoming a fully-fledged Australian citizen.
Permanent residents vs Australian citizens
Permanent residents and Australian citizens differ significantly, even though they both have many advantages over living in Australia.
Permanent residency allows individuals to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely, but it does not come with the same rights and privileges as citizenship. Australian citizens have the right to vote in federal and state elections, apply for an Australian passport, and access a broader range of government services and benefits. Citizenship also signifies a deeper commitment to Australia’s values and community, setting it apart from the more temporary status of permanent residency.
Who can apply for Citizenship in Australia?
To be eligible for citizenship in Australia application, you must meet several general requirements. You can become an Australian citizen if you are:
- Permanent residents aged 18-59 years old, including New Zealand Special Category visa holders.
- Permanent residents aged 60 years or over, including New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV).
- Having a parent who was an Australian citizen when you were born overseas.
- Permanent residents aged 15 years or under who apply on their own.
- Permanent residents who are 16-17 years of age at the time of application and who apply on their own.
- A former Australian citizen where the parent lost their Australian citizenship under specific circumstances.
- A child born overseas who is adopted by an Australian citizen outside Australia.
- Born in Papua before independence from Australia in 1975 and who had a parent born in Australia as it is now known.
- Having an incapacity or impairment that prevents them from sitting the Australian citizenship test.
- People who used to be Australian citizens.
- Born in Australia and are stateless.
For detailed information, check out: Become an Australian Citizen
How do I apply for Australian citizenship?
You must go through several steps to become an Australian citizen. Starting from choosing pathways, preparing applications, passing the Citizenship Test, and attending a ceremony. Here is the breakdown:
1. Determine your pathway to Australian citizenship
There are three main pathways to Australian citizenship:
- Citizenship by Conferral: This is the most common pathway for permanent residents. It involves meeting the eligibility criteria, submitting an application, passing a citizenship test, and attending a citizenship ceremony.
- Citizenship by Descent: If one or both of your parents were Australian citizens at the time of your birth, you might be eligible for citizenship by descent.
- Citizenship by Adoption: Children adopted by Australian citizens may be eligible for citizenship.
2. Prepare Your Australian Citizenship Application
Before starting your application to obtain citizenship in Australia, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria according to each pathway.
For citizenship by conferral, you need to:
Step 1: Check your eligibility for Australian citizenship by conferral
- Visa for Permanent Residence: You must hold a permanent resident visa or be eligible for one.
- Residency Requirement: You must have lived in Australia for at least four years, including at least 12 months holding a permanent visa. You should not have been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in total during this period, including no more than 90 days in the 12 months before applying.
- Good character: You must be of good character, which means you should have a clean criminal record and have complied with Australian laws.
- Basic English Proficiency: You must demonstrate a basic understanding of English.
- Commitment to Australia: You need to understand what it means to become an Australian citizen, and you must be willing to live in Australia and maintain a lasting link with the country.
Step 2: Gather the required documents as evidence
Before submitting an application for Australian citizenship, you’ll need to gather several important documents:
- Evidence of your identity: birth certificate, driver’s licence, current or previous passport, national identity card, residential address documents, or other identification documents.
- Character documents: Police certificates from Australia and any other countries you’ve lived in for more than 12 months in the past 10 years.
- Supporting documents: If applicable, documents proving your eligibility for the special residence requirements and your intention to live or continue to live in Australia, such as an employment contract, receipts for payments, or other supporting documents according to your situation.
Step 3: Prepare and submit your application
You can apply online through the Department of Home Affairs’ website or by paper if you have special circumstances.
- Online application: Create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. This account will allow you to submit and track your application. Remember that you must pay the fee when you lodge your application.
- Offline application: in some situations, you might need to apply on paper if you do not have a current or expired passport, have not traveled in or out of Australia since July 1990, or are eligible for a fee exemption.
Step 4: Citizenship Test and Interview
If your application is accepted, you will be invited to take the Australian Citizenship Test and attend an interview:
- The majority of people between the ages of 18 and 59 will be scheduled to take the citizenship exam.
- Citizenship Test: The test assesses your knowledge of Australia, its values, history, and laws, as well as your English language proficiency. The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions, and you must score at least 75% to pass. You will also be asked 5 questions on Australian values, which you must answer correctly to pass.
- Interview: Applicants who do not need to sit the citizenship test may have an interview, so Australia’s government can confirm their identity and ask about their application.
Step 5: Wait for the decision
After the test and interview, the Department of Home Affairs will assess your application. This may take several months, depending on individual circumstances.
- Additional documents: You might be asked for additional documents or for original copies of your documents. You will be contacted directly if needed.
- Any change of identity: You have to tell them if you have changed your name or other details since applying for citizenship.
- Check the progress: If you applied online, you can check the application progress by logging into your ImmiAccount.
Step 6: The Final Outcome
You will be notified and will receive a letter from Australia’s government when they have decided on your application.
- Approval: They will send you a letter if they approve your application. Then, they will ask you to attend a citizenship ceremony and make a pledge of commitment.
- Refusal: If they refuse your application, they will send you a letter that will advise you of the reasons for the decision, where to lodge a request for a review, and the time limits for requesting a review.
Step 7: Citizenship Ceremony
The citizenship ceremony is the final step in becoming an Australian citizen.
Most applicants for citizenship by conferral must attend a citizenship ceremony and make the Australian Citizenship Pledge to become an Australian citizen.
For more detailed information about citizenship by conferral, read: Become an Australian Citizen (by conferral).
For citizenship by descent, you need to:
Step 1: Check your eligibility for Australian citizenship by descent. You must have been either:
- Born outside Australia on or after 26 January 1949 (You may be eligible if you were born outside Australia and one or both of your parents at the time of your birth were also Australian citizens.)
- Born outside Australia through an international surrogacy arrangement.
- Good character: You must be of good character, which means you should have a clean criminal record and have complied with Australian laws.
Step 2: Prepare the required documents as evidence
To apply, you’ll need to gather several important documents:
- Evidence of your identity (if 16 years old or older): birth certificate, photograph, driver’s licence, national identity card, current residential address, or other identification documents.
- Evidence of your identity (if 15 years old or younger): birth certificate, photograph, responsible parent documents, or other identification documents.
- Character documents: Police certificates from Australia and any other countries you’ve lived in for more than 12 months in the past 10 years.
- Supporting documents: If applicable, documents proving your eligibility for the special residence requirements and your intention to live or continue to live in Australia, such as an employment contract, receipts for payments, or other supporting documents according to your situation.
Step 3: Apply for citizenship
You can apply and pay online through the ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Step 4: Wait for the decision
You will be contacted if there is anything else needed from you. The preferred way to communicate is through email. If you have permitted them to contact you this way, please regularly check your inbox (and junk mail).
Step 5: The Final Outcome
You will be notified once the Australian government has decided on your application.
Step 6: Receive your citizenship certificate
If you become a citizen by descent, you do not have to pledge citizenship or attend a ceremony.
For more detailed information about citizenship by descent, read: Become an Australian Citizen (by descent).
For citizenship by adoption, you need to:
Step 1: Check your eligibility for Australian citizenship by adoption. You must meet the following criteria:
- At least one of your adoptive parents must be an Australian citizen at the time of your adoption.
- You must provide an adoption compliance certificate.
- Good character: You must be of good character, which means you should have a clean criminal record and have complied with Australian laws.
Step 2: Prepare the required documents as evidence
To apply, you’ll need to gather several important documents:
- Evidence of your identity: birth certificate, photograph, driver’s licence, national identity card, current residential address, or other identification documents.
- Adoption documents: provide evidence of your adoption under the Hague Convention or bilateral arrangement and provide proof that one of your adoptive parents was an Australian citizen at the time of the adoption.
- Character documents: Police certificates from Australia and any other countries you’ve lived in for more than 12 months in the past 10 years.
Step 3: Apply for citizenship
You can apply from inside or outside of Australia through the ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Step 4: Wait for the decision
You will be contacted if there is anything else needed from you.
Step 5: The Final Outcome
You will be notified once the Australian government has decided on your application.
Step 6: Receive your citizenship certificate
If you become a citizen by descent, you do not have to pledge citizenship or attend a ceremony.
Read: Become an Australian Citizen (by adoption) for more detailed information about citizenship by adoption
New Citizenship in Australia Application Fees
New citizenship in Australia application fees were applied effective 1 July 2024. The fees are changing following the opening of financial year in Australia, which usually in July every year. The application fees to obtain citizenship in Australia are listed in the table below.
| Application Type | Fee as of 1 July 2024 (in AUD) |
|---|---|
| Australian citizenship by conferral—General eligibility | $560 |
| Australian citizenship by descent (single application/first sibling when two or more siblings apply) | $360 |
| Australian citizenship by descent (second and each subsequent sibling applying at the same time) | $150 |
| Renunciation of Australian citizenship | $300 |
| Resumption of Australian citizenship | $240 |
| Evidence of Australian citizenship | $275 |
| Child/children under 16 years applying on the same form as a responsible parent | No fee |
| Application for replacement of evidence of Australian citizenship lost, destroyed, or damaged due to a natural disaster | No fee |
After getting Australian citizenship
When you become an Australian citizen, there are several important privileges and responsibilities you have to understand and implement:
| Responsibilities (What you will give to Australia) |
Priviliges (What Australia will give to you) |
|---|---|
| Obey: You must obey the laws of Australia | Vote: You can vote in federal and state or territory elections and a referendum |
| Vote: You must vote in federal and state or territory elections and a referendum | Apply to your children: You can apply for children born overseas to become Australian citizens by descent |
| Defend: You must defend Australia should the need arise | Apply for a job: You can apply for a job in the Australian Public Service or the Australian Defence Force |
| Serve: You must serve on jury duty if called to do so | Election: You can seek election to parliament |
| Australian passport: You can apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely | |
| Assistance: You can ask for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas |
This dual aspect of citizenship emphasizes both the rewards and duties that come with being a part of the Australian nation.
Can the application be refused?
Yes, the Department of Home Affairs can refuse your citizenship application if you do not meet the eligibility requirements, fail the citizenship test, or are deemed to be of bad character. In case of refusal, you will be notified of the reasons and may have the option to appeal the decision or reapply at a later date.
Wish to call Australia home forever?
Getting citizenship in Australia involves more than just following the law; it involves a significant commitment to a new way of life. Begin your journey to Australian citizenship from now on by exploring your eligibility and taking the first steps toward securing your place. Whether you’re seeking a better future for your family or a deeper connection to yourself in your personal or career life, citizenship is your gateway to fully belonging in the Land Down Under.
We at ONEderland Consulting will help you save time and make a secure process during application in obtaining citizenship in Australia. Our team of highly qualified and experienced migration specialists is dedicated to putting in a lot of effort and planning ahead of time on your behalf. We pay close attention to every detail and apply our extensive knowledge to handle even the most complex cases.
We are committed to being open and honest with you, keeping you updated and involved at every stage. We will work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for your future in Australia, and you can rely on us to be your dependable partner and advocate.
We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the MARA.
Take the first step and contact us. Our team members are professional and honest and speak various languages, such as Mandarin/Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, and Thai. Contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money Back Guarantee Program.
