Lyla Lindsey
Australian citizenship comes with many privileges and responsibilities. To become an Australian citizen, you must meet specific criteria and apply through the Department of Home Affairs. The application process varies depending on your circumstances, and there may be a cost involved. This response will outline the steps for permanent residents to become Australian citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ways to become an Australian citizen | Being a permanent resident living in Australia, being born overseas to a parent who is an Australian citizen, being born overseas and adopted by an Australian citizen outside Australia, or losing Australian citizenship and wanting to resume it |
| Requirements | Must have been lawfully residing in Australia for four years before applying for citizenship, must have passed a citizenship test (unless exempt), must be likely to reside or continue to reside in Australia |
| Application Process | Apply online or through a paper form, may be invited to sit a citizenship test or attend an interview, must attend a citizenship ceremony before being granted citizenship |
| Documents Required | Australian citizenship certificate, full birth certificate, parent's full birth certificate, parent's Australian passport, parent's Australian citizenship certificate, name change documents, B19 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander declaration (for those facing challenges providing documents) |
| Costs | Depending on circumstances, there may be a cost associated with applying for citizenship |
| Processing Time | Varies depending on individual circumstances |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship as a permanent resident, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a permanent resident at the time of application and at the time of the decision. Any adult who became a permanent resident on or after 1 July 2007 must have been lawfully residing in Australia for four years immediately before applying for Australian citizenship.
- You must be likely to reside, or to continue to reside, in Australia or maintain a close and continuing association with Australia.
- You must be over the age of 18. If you are under 18 or over 60, you are not required to sit for a test.
- You must have passed a citizenship test. The test is designed to help future citizens gain an understanding of Australia and ensure they can fully participate in the Australian community.
- You must attend a citizenship ceremony before you can be granted citizenship.
- You must provide an Australian citizenship certificate or an Australian passport issued in your name after 1 January 2000 that was valid for at least two years.
- If you were born in Australia before 20 August 1986, you must show your full birth certificate issued by an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. If you were born on or after this date, you must provide your full birth certificate and your parent's full birth certificate or Australian passport or citizenship certificate.
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Permanent residency requirements
To apply for permanent residency in Australia, you must meet certain requirements. Firstly, you can apply on humanitarian grounds, as a migrant, or as part of a family unit. Secondly, you must be a permanent resident at the time of application and be likely to continue residing in Australia or maintain a close association with the country. This means that any adult who became a permanent resident on or after 1 July 2007 must have lawfully resided in Australia for the four years immediately preceding their citizenship application.
There are some exceptions to the residency requirement. For instance, those under the age of 18 or over 60 are exempt from the citizenship test. Additionally, individuals with substantial impairments or losses of hearing, speech, or sight are not required to take the test.
As a permanent resident, you will have the right to live, work, and study in Australia without restrictions. You will also enjoy most of the rights and entitlements of a citizen, such as applying for an Australian passport and receiving assistance from Australian diplomatic representatives while overseas. However, permanent residency does not grant all the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship. For example, citizens are required to serve in the defence force if called upon and must vote in elections.
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Citizenship test
To apply for Australian citizenship as a permanent resident, you must meet certain criteria. One of the requirements is to pass a citizenship test, unless you are under the age of 18, over 60, or have a substantial impairment or loss of hearing, speech, or sight.
The citizenship test is an important step in ensuring that applicants have a good understanding of Australia and are well-equipped to participate in the Australian community as citizens. The test covers a range of topics, including Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and responsibilities, as well as Australia's history and national symbols. It also covers the privileges and responsibilities of Australian citizenship, such as the right to vote and the responsibility to serve on a jury if called upon.
The test is typically a computer-based multiple-choice exam, and you will need to answer 20 questions in 45 minutes. You must get at least 75% of the answers correct to pass. The test is available in different languages, and you can request a paper-based test if needed.
To prepare for the test, the Department of Home Affairs provides practice questions and other resources on their website. It is important to thoroughly review the provided material and familiarise yourself with the test format. You can also find community organisations that offer free classes and workshops to help you prepare for the test.
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Citizenship certificate
To apply for Australian citizenship as a permanent resident, you must meet certain criteria. For instance, you must have been lawfully residing in Australia for four years immediately before applying for citizenship. You must also be likely to reside, or to continue to reside, in Australia or maintain a close and continuing association with Australia.
Once you have applied for Australian citizenship, you may get an invitation to sit the citizenship test or attend an interview. If you are over the age of 18, you will need to pass the citizenship test (unless you are over 60). Those who are under 18 or over 60 are exempt from the test, as are people who suffer from a substantial impairment or loss of hearing, speech, or sight. The test is designed to help future citizens gain an understanding of Australia and ensure they can fully participate in the Australian community.
If you are applying for citizenship as a permanent resident, you will need to provide an Australian citizenship certificate in your name or an Australian passport issued in your name after 1 January 2000 that was valid for at least two years. If you don't have your citizenship certificate, you will need to provide your full name on your passport application form as it is shown on your citizenship certificate. If you know your citizenship certificate number or your Home Affairs Client ID (CID) number, you should also provide this. If you don't have your CID number or citizenship certificate number, you will have to complete a paper form.
If you were born in Australia before 20 August 1986, you only need to show your full birth certificate issued by an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. If you were born on or after 20 August 1986, you will need to show your parent's full birth certificate, showing they were born in Australia before this date, or your parent's Australian passport issued on or after 20 August 1986 that was valid for at least two years and issued before you were born. If both of your parents were Australian permanent residents when you were born, you will need to apply for evidence of your citizenship through the Department of Home Affairs.
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Citizenship ceremony
Once you have met the criteria to become an Australian citizen, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony. The Council conducts citizenship ceremonies on behalf of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP). If you live in the City of Sydney local area, you can contact the Protocol Unit for more information. If you live outside this area, you should contact your local council.
Invitations to citizenship ceremonies are sent by email, so ensure your email address is up to date in your Immi account. If you have compassionate or compelling grounds for an urgent ceremony, contact the Department of Home Affairs directly.
At the citizenship ceremony, you will be required to pledge your commitment to Australia and its people. The pledge is as follows:
> Australia is my home. I give my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.
After the ceremony, you will receive a certificate of Australian citizenship. This certificate is your proof of Australian citizenship and should be kept in a safe place.
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Frequently asked questions
To apply for Australian citizenship as a permanent resident, you must have lawfully resided in Australia for four years immediately before your application. You must also pass a citizenship test (unless you are over 60 years old) and attend a citizenship ceremony.
The documents required to apply for Australian citizenship depend on whether you were born before or after 20 August 1986. If you were born after this date, you must provide your full birth certificate and your parent's full birth certificate, Australian passport, or citizenship certificate. If you were born before this date, only your full birth certificate is required.
Becoming an Australian citizen means you can say "I am Australian" and make Australia your permanent home. Citizens can apply for an Australian passport and leave and re-enter the country without applying for a resident return visa. They can also seek assistance from Australian diplomatic representatives while overseas.
