Australian Citizenship

1. The first step is to apply for citizenship along with all the documents required to prove that the applicant meets the relevant requirements.

Once the Department of Home Affairs determines that the applicant is eligible for citizenship, the applicant will be called to sit for the citizenship test.

Please note that if you applied for Australian citizenship and then left Australia, you will need to return back to continue processing your application. You can specify the expected return date or confirm the date of your return (e.g. airline ticket, employment contract, rental agreement).

If the expected date of your return is unknown, or you intend to remain outside Australia for an extended period of time, your case may be subject to further scrutiny: the law requires the applicant to convince the Department that the applicant can or will continue to live in Australia or to support close and ongoing relationship with Australia if the application is approved.

2. About your test. The standard test contains questions about the rights and responsibilities of Australian citizenship, as well as questions about life in Australia and what it means to be an Australian citizen. Every eligible adult candidate between 18 and 60 years of age must sit this test. The questions are based on verifiable information in the Australian Citizenship Testing Guide, which can be reviewed prior to the test.

Please read more information about the test on the official webpage.

3. The citizenship ceremony will take place after the successful passing of the test and approval of the application by the Department. 

Please learn more about processing time on the official webpage.1. 

Who is eligible: 

• if the applicant is a permanent resident visa holder and meets the requirements
• if the applicant is a New Zealand citizen and meets certain conditions
• if the applicant was born in Papua New Guinea before independence in 1975
• if the applicant was born outside Australia or Papua New Guinea before January 26, 1949 and at least one of his parents as of January 26, 1949 was an Australian citizen
• a child who was born and lived in Australia for 10 years or more
• an abandoned child if recognized in Australia and not proven otherwise
• if the applicant was born in Australia who was not and cannot be a citizen of any other country

By birth:

• if the child was born in Australia and at least one of the parents has a permanent resident or Australian citizen status
• if the child was born outside Australia and at least one of the parents is an Australian citizen

For adoption:

• if the child was adopted by an Australian citizen outside Australia

• Live in Australia for at least 4 years, the last year before applying as a holder of permanent residency visa. 
• Not be illegal during those 4 years in Australia.
• Can be absent from Australia for no more than 12 months in total for 4 years, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months prior to application.

Special Australian residency requirements will apply to applicants who are engaged in activities that benefit Australia, as well as to those employed in certain types of work requiring regular travel outside Australia.

Who is eligible for concessions when applying for Australian Citizenship

• if the applicant is a partner of an Australian citizen (including de facto relationship)
• if the applicant is in a prison or mental institution
• if there was an administrative error (at ministerial discretion)
• if a person in Australia experiences significant difficulty or inconvenience (at ministerial discretion)
• if the person is in a same-sex relationship with an Australian citizen (ministerial discretion)
  
  

Occupations that imply exemptions:

• athletes participating in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Davis Cup, Federation Cup, any men’s or women’s international cricket match
• a crew member of a ship or a member of an aircraft crew;
• participant in work on the installation of resources or offshore installation;
• the CEO of a company listed on the S & P / ASX All Australia 200 or the chief executive of a company listed on the S & P / ASX All Australian 200
• a scientist or medical professional who is world renowned in their field
• a person who is a writer or is involved in the visual or performing arts and is or is holding a distinguished talent visa
• a person who has completed the relevant government service

Reasons why an application for Australian citizenship may be rejected:

• the identity of the applicant cannot be established;
• the applicant poses a threat to national security;
• the applicant is unable to meet general or specific Australian residency requirements and is not eligible for concessions;
• the applicant has already renounced Australian citizenship in the past 12 months (does not apply to stateless applicants)
• if the applicant was prosecuted for violation of Australian law (including appeal or reconsideration proceedings); or
• if the applicant was held in a prison in Australia,
• for a specified period after serving the sentence in prison or parole or release from prison on bail
• if the applicant is in a psychiatric institution by order of a court in connection with a violation of Australian law
  
  

Appeals can be filed with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal within the specified time frames specified in the letter of refusal.

An interesting point – if a person lost Australian citizenship, applicant can re-apply no earlier than 12 months after the loss of citizenship.