We have been assisting clients with Australian Citizenship applications for over 20 years and we are familiar with all of the legislative requirements to ensure you can become an Australian citizen. Our Google reviews stand testament to our commitment to outstanding client service.
We proudly provide personalised and understanding advice and service for all and we are experts in Australian Citizenship applications.
Our experienced Immigration Lawyers & Registered Migration Agents are able to advise you on all aspects of eligibility.
You may be eligible to apply for citizenship if you currently hold permanent residency in Australia, you satisfy the residential requirements, and you are of good character. Australian citizenship represents full and formal membership of the community of the Commonwealth of Australia. This means that, as a citizen of Australia, you will have the right to:
- travel in and out of Australia without requiring a visa,
- vote in government elections,
- apply for any public office or stand for election as a Member of Parliament,
- apply for an Australian passport,
- apply to serve in the Australian Defence Forces,
- apply for certain government jobs in the public sector,
- register your children as Australian citizens, and
- request emergency assistance from Australian consular staff when travelling outside Australia.
These rights are in addition to those that people already hold as permanent residents of Australia.
Some of the most common pathways to citizenship, and the key criteria, are set out below. There are exceptions to a number of the criteria, but such cases will require analysis of circumstances to assess eligibility.
Citizenship by Conferral
You may be eligible to become an Australian citizen if you:
- are aged 18 years of age or over,
- have held Australian permanent residency for the last 12 months with no more than 90 days absence from Australia,
- have been lawfully in Australia for the last 4 years with no more than 12 months absence from Australia,
- have successfully sat the citizenship test, which shows you:
- understand what it means to become a citizen of Australia,
- have a basic understanding of Australia and the privileges and responsibilities involved in becoming an Australian citizen, and
- have a basic knowledge of the English language, and
- are likely to continue to reside in Australia, or maintain a close association with Australia, once you have become a citizen and are of good character.
Citizenship by Descent
Generally speaking, eligibility under this pathway is possible if 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, or
- were born outside Australia or New Guinea before 26 January 1949 and a parent of yours was an Australian citizen on 26 January 1949.
Citizenship by Adoption
Australian citizenship is available via this route if you:
- have been adopted outside Australia in accordance with the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption by at least one Australian citizen, or
- are a child and have been adopted in Australia/overseas with adoption finalised under Australian law and you are present in Australia as a permanent resident and one of the adoptive parents is an Australian citizen.
Other categories of people who may be eligible for Australian citizenship include (but are not limited to):
- a child born to a former Australian citizen,
- a child born in Australia on or after 20 August 1986, who did not acquire citizenship automatically at birth, and who has been ordinarily resident in Australia throughout the 10 year period beginning on the day of their birth,
- a child less than 15 applying on their own,
- a former Australian citizen, seeking to resume their Australian citizenship,
- a person born in Australia and who is stateless, or
- a child born in Australia and has been abandoned
Before you apply for Australian Citizenship, contact our expert Immigration Lawyers & Registered Migration Agents.
WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
Ryan Curtis-Griffiths
Director
David Stratton
Managing Director
Helen Zheng
Special Counsel
Heather Dzviti
Senior Lawyer
Rebecca Henzel
Senior Lawyer
Melissa Vincenty
Senior Lawyer
Jacqui Azouz
Lawyer
Lili Sibic
Lawyer
Shalini Kodikara
Paralegal
Chloe Wang
Legal Assistant
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Nevett Ford Melbourne Pty Ltd
ABN: 80 144 697 790
Level 16, South Tower, Rialto Building, 525 Collins Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000