How to Become an Australian Citizen?
If you want to become Australian citizen, minimum requirement is to lodge a completed application form and make necessary applicable fees payment to DOHA. Upon successful submission of your application DOHA will get in contact with you.
Once prospect of your application is determined, you will get an invitation to participate in an Australian citizenship ceremony, which comprises of the Australian Citizenship Pledge.
You can become an Australian citizen mainly through 3 ways:
1. By birth: If you are born in Australia and one or both of your parents are an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
2. By descent: If you are the child of an Australian citizen but you are born overseas, you will generally be granted Australian citizenship.
3. You are a migrant of good character, hold a permanent residence visa, and intend to live in or maintain a close and ongoing association with Australia (citizenship by conferral);
You are a New Zealand citizen living in Australia, of good character, meet the residence requirement for New Zealand citizens to obtain Australian citizenship, and intend to live in or maintain a close and ongoing association with Australia;
There are certain Australian citizenship requirements
(https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2016C00726) you must meet, which include:
1. You are an Australian permanent resident
2. You are over 18 years of age
3. You have not been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in total in the previous four years; and
4. You have not been absent from Australia for more than 90 days in the last 12 months before making the citizenship application.
5. Are of good character
6. Have an adequate knowledge of your responsibilities and privileges as a citizen
7. You understand the nature of citizenship and the importance of making an application for Australian citizenship; and
8. You have a basic understanding of English, knowledge of Australia and of the responsibilities and privileges citizenship of Australia will grant you; and
9. You likely live or continue to live in Australia and maintain a close relationship with Australia if you were to become an Australian citizen.
As an Australian citizen you have a number of privileges, which include:
1. Voting in Federal and State or territory elections and in a referendum
2. Applying for work in the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force
3. Seeking election to parliament
4. Applying for an Australian passport and re-entering Australia freely
5. Obtaining help from an Australian official while overseas
6. Registering children born overseas as Australian citizens by descent
Citizenship Test
All applicants will need to complete and pass a citizenship test, which is based on their knowledge and understanding of Australian society, values and history. The test will also assess the applicant’s English language abilities, have a sufficient knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of being an Australian citizen and intend to reside and work in Australia, or to preserve a close connection with the country.
Some of the reason – Citizenship can be refused
The Minister for Immigration may refuse an application for citizenship on the following grounds:
Your identity cannot be verified;
You involve in a activity which poses threat to national security;
You are unable to satisfy the general or special residence requirements and you are not eligible for an exemption;
You have outstanding criminal matters or you do not meet character test; or
You have renounced your Australian citizenship within the last 12 months. This does not apply, however, if you are at risk of becoming stateless.