Citizenship
We can help you with your citizenship application. We understand that life can get busy, and our aim is to provide an affordable and efficient service in order to become an Australian citizen.
Automatic Acquisition of Australian Citizenship – Citizenship by Birth
Generally, you become an Australian citizen automatically if you are born in Australia AND one or both of your parents are Australian citizens or permanent residents when you are born.
Australian Citizenship by Application
-
Citizenship by Descent
You may be eligible to become an Australian citizen under this Subdivision in 2 situations:
- You were born outside Australia on or after 26 January 1949 and a parent of yours was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth: see subsection 16(2); or
- You were born outside Australia or New Guinea before 26 January 1949 and a parent of yours was an Australian citizen on 26 January 1949: see subsection 16(3).
-
Citizenship by Conferral
Eligibility:
Meet the general residence requirement
When you apply you must have been:
- Living in Australia on a valid visa for the past 4 years
- A permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen for the past 12 months
- Away from Australia for no more than 12 months in total in the past 4 years, including no more than 90 days in total in the past 12 months.
- For children 16 or 17 years old, if meeting this requirement would cause significant hardship or disadvantage, you will need to provide proof.
Children under 16 do not need to meet the general residence requirement but must be permanent residents.
Changes to the general residence requirement apply for certain New Zealand citizens holding a Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa. See Calculate your permanent residence below.
Character requirement:
You must be of ‘good character’ if you are 18 years or over.
Good character is the ‘enduring moral qualities of a person.
When we assess good character, we consider whether you are likely to:
- Uphold and obey the laws of Australia
- Meet the other commitments made through the citizenship pledge
Knowledge of Australia:
You must understand what it means to be an Australian citizen. To assess this, most applicants will sit the citizenship test.
At the time you have an appointment, you must show that you have:
- A basic knowledge of the English language
- An understanding of what it means to become an Australian citizen
- An adequate knowledge of Australia and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship
- An understanding and commitment to Australian values based on freedom, respect and equality
- If you score 75% or more on our citizenship test, and answer all 5 questions on Australian values correctly, then you meet our knowledge requirement.
Language requirement:
You need a basic knowledge of the English language to become an Australian citizen.
English is our national language. Communicating in English helps you to live a full life in Australia.
-
Resuming Citizenship
There are situations where a former Australian citizen wishes to apply again for citizenship, they may be eligible to become an Australian citizen if they ceased to be a Citizen either under the current Act or the old Citizenship Act 1948. The individual must make a new application to become a citizen again.
At East West Migration, we make the visa process as straight forward and quick as possible.
Contact East West Migration to discuss applying for Australian Citizenship.
Pathways for New Zealanders
EAST WEST MIGRATION SERVICES ARE THE EXPERTS WHEN IT COMES TO AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP FOR NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS
Non-protected Special Category Visa-holders who have resided in Australia for at least the past four years can apply directly for citizenship from 1 July 2023 without needing to apply for a permanent visa.
Applicants must meet all other standard citizenship eligibility criteria.
Children born in Australia
Children born in Australia on or after 1 July 2022 with a non-protected Special Category Visa-holder parent will be deemed to be Australian citizens from birth. Refer to Evidence of Australian citizenship from birth.
A minor (currently aged under 18) born in Australia prior to 1 July 2022 is eligible to apply for citizenship when their parents become eligible under the new pathway.
Non-New Zealand-citizen family (461 visa)
Non-New Zealand citizen family members of a non-protected SCV can remain on their 461 visa. However, if the New Zealander is granted Australian citizenship the 461 visas held by family members cannot be renewed.
Instead, the now-Australian citizen will be able to sponsor the family members currently holding 461 visas for a permanent visas if they wish to remain in Australia beyond the term of their current visas.
NZ Stream 189 visa
The New Zealand Stream 189 visa will close permanently from 1 July 2023. Applications already submitted will be finalised in the coming months.
There may be other pathways for NZ citizens, if you do not meet the residency requirements. Email us and we will give you a free assessment,