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By becoming an Australian citizen you have the same rights and privileges, including the right to vote, to work for the Australian Public Service or Defence Force, and to obtain and use an Australian passport, the same as those who were born in Australia.
Become an Australian Citizen
Australian Citizenship
Becoming a citizen of Australia is the final legal step in your migration pathway. This is a process in which a non-Australian citizen voluntarily becomes an Australian citizen. All Australian citizens pledge their loyalty to Australia and its people and are then entitled to its protection and to exercise their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
Being an Australian citizen is a privilege not a right. While you are granted entitlements as a citizen of Australia there are important responsibilities you must accept too.
-Department of Home Affairs
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP FROM JULY 2018?
The general requirements for Australian Citizenship are:
- You must be between 18 and 60 years of age.
- You must have lived continuously and legally in Australia for the past 4 years.
- Be physically present in Australia and must have not been absent for more than 12 months in the last 4 years.
- You must be of good character.
- Permanent resident status for 1 year and have lived in Australia for at least 9 out 12 months within the year.
There are also some specific additional circumstances outlined by Department of Home Affairs where people can Australian citizens.
The Department states:
“There are a number of circumstances where you could have automatically gained citizenship even though your parent or parents were not Australian citizens.”
If you were born in Australia on or after:
- 20 August 1986 to an Australian citizen or permanent resident parent, you became an Australian citizen at birth.
- 20 August 1986 to parents who were not permanent residents or Australian citizens, you may have become an Australian citizen automatically on your 10th birthday.
If you were born in Australia between:
- 22 November 1984 and 19 August 1986 you became an Australian citizen at birth unless one parent was entitled to diplomatic privileges or was a consular officer.
- 26 January 1949 and 21 November 1984 you became an Australian citizen at birth unless your father was entitled to diplomatic privileges or was a consular officer.”
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?
After filing your citizenship application, DOHA will aim to process your application within 3 months, but there is always the possibility of a backlog of applications and other delays and local councils.
How we work
1. Initial Consultation
During our consultation we will assess your eligibility for Australian Citizenship and we will also inform you of all the requirements, process and create a strategy for you.
2. Document Preparation
Once we have determined that you are your satisfy the criteria for a Australian Citizenship application, we then proceed with collecting the required documentary evidence from you.
3. Citizenship Application
Once we have collected all the lodge your citizenship application, along with any supporting documents required to demonstrate that you satisfy the relevant requirements.
4. Citizenship Test
Once the DOHA has determined that you are eligible for the conferral of citizenship, they will ask you to attend an appointment with a case officer. At this appointment, you will sit the citizenship test.
5. Citizen Ceremony
After you have passed your citizenship test and the DOHA has approved your application, you need to attend a citizenship ceremony. This usually takes place within 3 months of the date that an application is approved, although waiting times vary between different local councils.