More information about citizenship by conferral can be found here. Get Australian Citizenship Help Here. Passport-style photo: Provide a passport-style photo that was taken within the last six months. Copyright © 2013-2020 Immigration Direct. More InfoGot it, Holding Australian permanent resident status for 4 years and living in Australia for at least 4 years prior to applying, strengthen the Australian Values Statement, test and pledge of commitment, require applicants to show integration into the Australian community, Proof of your spouse’s or parent’s Australian Citizenship Status, Or, if you are a New Zealand citizen who has arrived prior to February 2001 then you might need to provide a document issued by the. Previously, Australian citizenship was governed under the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 – known as the ‘old Act’. You are advised to study the learning material in the official handbook before attempting the test. To claim citizenship by descent, your parents cannot have a citizen or national of another country. The last step on my Australian immigration journey was to become a citizen. Jump to :Step 1Step 2Step 3Step 4Step 5Step 6Step 7Step 8. Once you’ve been a permanent resident for 12 months or more, you can apply for Australian citizenship.The key benefits of becoming an Australian citizen are that it allows you to: 1. If over 18, you will also have to show that you are of “good character.” This judgement is made on the basis of your past criminal record, but also on whether the government deems you to be a risk to safety, security, and stability in Australia. But having the right to live and work there isn’t the same as being an Australian citizen - if you’re a permanent resident, you still don’t have voting rights in most cases, or an Australian passport. Under the terms of my entry into Australia, to get from a permanent resident, as I am, to Australian citizen, as I plan to be, I need to live here for four years. It also limits refugees to temporary 3 to 5 year visas. Australian citizenship is available for people who have resided in Australia as Permanent Residents for four years; they need to meet certain other requirements like good knowledge of English, knowledge about Australia etc. Australia’s immigration laws are complex and merit-based. Submit your application with the applicable fees. It’s not necessary to include original documents with your application. For highly skilled employees, you may also have the chance to apply for Australian citizenship. Arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001. Become an Australian citizen (by conferral) Permanent residents or New Zealand citizens Becoming a citizen by conferral is a common way to become an Australian citizen. Applying for Australian citizenship? If an original document is not in English, you must submit a translation done by an accredited translator www.naati.com.au. I came from the UK with my parents when I was 6. Be aware that depending on your situation you might need to provide additional evidence, such as: Important! How to apply . Italian citizenship by descent is achieved through the family lineage of an individual either parents, grandparents, or great grandparents. Along with being able to say that you are officially a citizen, there are a number of other benefits to becoming a citizen of the country you reside in. New Zealand citizens are granted a Special Category visa (SCV) upon arrival to Australia. Please note that your access to and use of this site is subject to Immigration Direct’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which, by using this site, you are agreeing to. After the DHA receives your application, they will notify you to attend an appointment where you will be requested to verify your identity and an officer will verify your original documents. Once you have submitted your application, you will be contacted by the department. By continuing to use our website without changing your settings, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and use of cookies. I immigrated in 1965 and I am a permanent resident. Time in prison or a psychiatric institution will not count toward your residency requirements. This is the final set to becoming an Australian Citizen! However, to be granted an Australian Citizenship when engaged in a relationship with an Australian citizen, the person must satisfy a number of other requirements. The documents described above are the minimum you will need to provide. Adoption by Australian people. You’ll need to apply for permanent residency. Can I get Australian Citizenship if I Marry an Australian? If you’re an expat in Australia and have fallen in love with life there, you might be considering becoming an Australian citizen. On arrival in Australia, most New Zealand citizens are automatically granted a Special Category visa (SCV). Before doing your Australian citizenship test, you will have to: Be an Australian permanent resident; You should satisfy the department of your identity when registering for your test; Let the department take a photograph of you, or you can bring your own; 6. Being born in Australia does not make you an Australian citizen. To become an Australian citizen you not only need to have lived the past four years as a Permanent resident in Australia, you need to also meet other certain requirements. Becoming an Australian citizen means that you are making an ongoing commitment to Australia and all that this country stands for. I was born in Australia on 2003. Find out if you’re already a permanent resident. If you your parent is an Australian citizen or you’ve held permanent residency, you may already qualify. Acceptable documents include a lease or rental contract, a utility bill (gas, electricity or water), a bank statement, MediCare or insurance letter are examples of documents that contain your address. Simplifying Immigration | We are not operated or affiliated nor endorsed by a government agency. All Rights Reserved. Australian citizenship is something which most people wish to obtain, but even if you are the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, you are not eligible for an automatic citizenship. I have lived in Australia since January 1964. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Who stands eligible? What are the requirements for Australian Citizenship if I am a citizen of New Zealand? Australia currently detains anyone caught in the country without a visa and processes undocumented asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea. 10 Min Chat - No Charge . If you miss the cut-off date (26 February 2001), you will have to apply for permanent residency before you can become an Australian citizen. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. Refugees are not eligible for permanent residency. In this case you would either be eligible by birth or descent. You can become an Australian citizen through descent if at least one of your parents was an Australian citizen when you were born. If born overseas to an Australian permanent resident parent, you are NOT eligible to apply for citizenship through descent. Apply for work in the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force. Last Updated: June 14, 2020 You must submit the required documents with your application or it will not be processed. You may qualify to apply immediately or even already be a citizen. This test demonstrates a basic knowledge of the English language and an adequate knowledge of Australia as well as the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen. Once you have gathered all supporting documents, completed the application, and prepared the filing fee, you can submit it to DHA electronically (online) or via mail. You may attach or upload copies of all official documents. Once you have completed the application, you will need to submit it to DHA with the application filing fee. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The Australian citizenship test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions in three parts to be answered in 45 minutes. How to become an Australian citizen? Due to the current COVID-19 situation in Australia, including state and territory border restrictions, business closures and social distancing requirements, international visitors are encouraged to return home when possible to do so. The rules for an Australian citizens wishing to become an American citizen are identical to those of a Brazilian, German or Indian applicant. Citizenship is a prized asset. Application for citizenship by descent — applicant was born overseas to an Australian parent Immigration Direct does not provide legal or immigration advice, opinions or recommendations to its users about their possible legal rights, legal remedies, legal defenses, legal options or legal strategies, selection of forms, or answers to specific questions on forms. Not everyone has sit for this test, including minors, people over age 60, or people with physical handicaps. List of Pathways, Benefits, Requirements, Obligations & Policy. Doctor of Law, University of Wisconsin-Madison. After becoming an Australian citizen, children who are born on-shore will automatically be Australian citizens. Attend your Appointment & Sit for the Citizenship Test. You will need to get copies of the original documents, certified by an Australian citizen who is not related to you by birth. If the applicant’s parent also acquired their Australian citizenship by descent or through adoption, the parent must have been present in Australia for periods totalling two years at some time in their life in order for the applicant to now be registered as an Australian citizen by descent. 5. If born overseas to at least one Australian citizen parent, you do not get citizenship automatically but are eligible to apply for it through descent. As a permanent citizen, you can stay in the country for however long you … Aside from being a natural-born Australian it is actually possible to become an Australian citizen after lodging a citizenship application depending on the applicant’s personal circumstances:. These include obtaining an immigrant visas, completing the residency period and completing the US citizenship exam. A SCV is a temporary visa but it grants the New Zealand citizen the right to live and work in Australia for the duration of their stay. How to become Australian: Immigrants are eligible for Australian citizenship after just two years’ residence in the previous five years, but this must include a total of 12 months in the two years Ways to become an Australian Citizen include: Citizenship by birth; Citizenship by descent; Citizenship by adoption under a law in force in a State or Territory; Citizenship by conferral. Australian citizenship ceremony. The Citizenship Pledge. You must also meet several general requirements. Even under such circumstances an application for citizenship must be made and you must fulfill the eligibility criteria just like any other individual applying for the same. Start by weighing your options. When a person becomes a citizen, they are able to enjoy all the rights, privileges and protections that are conferred to all Australians. You should use DHA’s Form 1300t if you meet the application requirements and are in between 18 and 59 years old. Usually your ceremony will be held within six months from the time your application is approved, but waiting times may vary. Free concessions or exemptions, however, are applicable in some cases. References. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Become-an-Australian-Citizen-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-an-Australian-Citizen-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Become-an-Australian-Citizen-Step-1.jpg\/aid6294928-v4-728px-Become-an-Australian-Citizen-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"