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Australia's nationality laws have changed over the years, and there are several ways to become an Australian citizen. Generally, individuals born in Australia before 20 August 1986 were automatically citizens at birth, regardless of their parents' nationalities. After this date, individuals born in the country receive Australian citizenship at birth if at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Foreign nationals may also be granted citizenship after living in the country for at least four years, holding permanent residency for one year, and demonstrating English proficiency. To become an Australian citizen, most applicants over 18 must pass a citizenship test, be permanent residents, and intend to reside in Australia or maintain a close association with the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Primary law governing nationality | Australian Citizenship Act 2007 |
| Persons born in Australia before 20 August 1986 | Automatically citizens at birth regardless of parents' nationalities |
| Persons born in Australia after 20 August 1986 | Receive citizenship at birth if at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident |
| Children born in Australia to New Zealand citizens since 1 July 2022 | Receive Australian citizenship at birth |
| Foreign nationals | May be granted citizenship after living in the country for at least four years, holding permanent residency for one year, and showing proficiency in English |
| Citizenship test | Required for most applicants over the age of 18 |
| Citizenship ceremony | Required before being granted citizenship |
| Citizenship certificate | Required for passport application |
| Rights as an Australian citizen | Live in Australia, apply for an Australian passport, and leave and re-enter Australia without applying for a resident return visa |
| Rights as an Australian permanent resident | Live, work, and study without restriction in Australia |
| Rights as a non-citizen British subject | Eligible to vote in UK elections and serve in public office there |
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What You'll Learn
Citizenship by birth
If you were born in Australia before 20 August 1986, you automatically received citizenship at birth regardless of your parents' nationalities. If you were born after this date, you are only considered an Australian citizen by birth if at least one of your parents is a citizen or permanent resident.
If your parent was born in Australia on or after 20 August 1986, you will need to provide your full Australian birth certificate, as well as your parent's full Australian birth certificate. You will also need to provide one of the following:
- The full Australian birth certificate of a grandparent who was born in Australia before 20 August 1986
- The Australian passport of a grandparent issued on or after 20 August 1986 that was valid for at least two years and issued before your parent was born
- The Australian citizenship certificate of a grandparent that shows they acquired citizenship before your parent was born
Only full, original Australian birth certificates issued by an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages that show parent or grandparent names will be accepted. If the link between you and your parent, or between your parent and your grandparent, is not clear from their birth certificates due to a name change, additional documentation may be required.
Children born in Australia to New Zealand citizens since 1 July 2022 also receive Australian citizenship at birth.
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Citizenship by descent
Australian citizenship laws underwent changes on 20 August 1986, affecting the requirements for citizenship acquisition. Here is a guide on how to acquire Australian citizenship by descent.
If you were born outside of Australia, you may be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent if one or both of your parents were Australian citizens when you were born. In this case, you will need to apply for citizenship. If your parent acquired citizenship by descent or adoption, they must have resided in Australia for at least two years at the time of your application.
To prove your citizenship, you must provide certain documents. If you were born 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 can prove your citizenship by providing an Australian citizenship certificate or an Australian passport issued after 1 January 2000 that was valid for a minimum of two years. Alternatively, you can provide your own full birth certificate and your parent's full birth certificate, showing they were born in Australia before 20 August 1986, or their Australian passport or citizenship certificate. If your parent acquired citizenship by descent or adoption, you will need to provide proof of their residence in Australia for at least two years.
If you identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and face challenges in providing documents, you can complete a B19 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander declaration and submit it with your passport application.
Former citizens may also apply for nationality restoration if they would have suffered hardship had they not renounced their citizenship or if they were automatically deprived of it before 2002.
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Citizenship test
To become an Australian citizen, you must meet certain criteria. If you were born in Australia before 20 August 1986, you are automatically considered an Australian citizen. For those born after this date, you will be an Australian citizen if at least one of your parents is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Additionally, children born in Australia to New Zealand citizens since 1 July 2022 are also granted Australian citizenship at birth. Foreign nationals may be granted citizenship after living in the country for at least four years, holding permanent residency for one year, and demonstrating proficiency in English.
To become an Australian citizen, you will typically need to pass a citizenship test. This test is a crucial step towards obtaining citizenship. It consists of 20 multiple-choice questions, including five mandatory questions on Australian values, and you must achieve an overall score of at least 75%. The test covers four key areas:
- Australia and its people
- Australia's democratic beliefs, rights, and liberties
- Government and the law in Australia
- Australian values
To prepare for the test, it is recommended to read the booklet 'Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond' to help you understand the context of the questions and achieve the best possible result. There are also free practice tests available online, which can help you familiarise yourself with the format and content of the exam. These practice tests cover the same topics as the official test, providing an excellent opportunity to study and improve your chances of passing.
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Permanent residency
Australian permanent residency is a pathway to citizenship. It grants you the right to reside in Australia indefinitely and comes with a five-year travel facility that allows you to leave and re-enter the country as you wish. After living in Australia as a permanent resident for four years, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship.
There are several ways to apply for permanent residency. You can make an application on humanitarian grounds, as a migrant, or as part of a family unit. The process depends on the type of visa you are applying for. Many visa types require that you start with a provisional or temporary visa before applying for a permanent visa. Some visas cannot be applied for directly, and you will need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be invited to apply. You may also need to complete a Skill Assessment, have a job offer, or meet a certain number of points before you are eligible to apply.
The requirements you need to meet will depend on the visa application and type. Generally, most permanent skilled visas have an upper age limit of 44, so you must apply before your 45th birthday. However, there are exceptions for high-income earners and certain professions. The cost of a permanent visa depends on the type of visa and the number of people included in the application.
As a permanent resident, you can live, work, and study in Australia without restriction. You will also have access to free or subsidised health services through Medicare. You can enrol in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) at a university or higher education provider, where the government pays part of your fees. You will also have most of the rights and entitlements of a citizen, but there are some differences. For example, you cannot vote in federal or state/territory elections unless you were registered on the electoral roll before 1984, but you can vote in some local government elections.
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Citizenship ceremony
Once your application for Australian citizenship has been approved by the Department of Home Affairs, you will receive an invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony. The date of the ceremony is tentative and subject to change.
At the ceremony, you will be required to make the Australian Citizenship Pledge of Commitment and receive your certificate. This certificate is an important document that you will need to provide when applying for your Australian passport.
If you do not have your citizenship certificate, you must provide your full name on the passport application form, as it appears on the certificate. If you know your citizenship certificate number or your Home Affairs Client ID (CID) number, you should also provide this. If you do not have either of these numbers, you will need to complete a paper form.
If your name has changed, you must show documents that link your new name to the name on your Australian birth certificate or citizenship certificate. If you have changed your name more than once, you will need to document all the name changes that directly link your current name to the name on your birth certificate.
If you were born overseas and your Australian citizenship certificate does not show your gender and place of birth, you will need to provide proof of these by showing relevant documents.
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Frequently asked questions
To become an Australian citizen, you must pass a citizenship test (unless exempt due to age or impairment) and be a permanent resident at the time of application and decision. You must also be likely to reside in Australia or maintain a close and continuing association with the country.
The Australian citizenship test is designed to help future citizens understand Australia's values, traditions, history, and national symbols. It promotes social cohesion and successful integration into the Australian community.
Australian citizens can live in Australia, apply for an Australian passport, and leave and re-enter the country without applying for a resident return visa. Citizens can also vote in Australian elections and gain the right to say, "I am Australian".
You must provide documents that prove your citizenship. If you have your citizenship certificate, provide your full name as shown on the certificate, as well as your certificate number or Home Affairs Client ID (CID) number. If you don't have your certificate, you will need to complete a paper form. If you were born in Australia before 20 August 1986, you only need to show your full birth certificate.
Yes, foreign nationals may be granted citizenship after living in the country for at least four years, holding permanent residency for one year, and showing proficiency in the English language.
