Citizenship

Australian Citizenship

Australian citizens have many rights including the right to vote and have a say in Australia’s future and the right to apply for an Australian passport. If you are an Australian permanent resident, you may wish to check if you are eligible for citizenship.

You may be eligible to become an Australian Citizen if one of the following applies to you:

• You are in Australia as a permanent resident;
• You are a spouse or partner of an Australian citizen;
• You are a New Zealand citizen living in Australia;
• You arrived in Australia as a refugee;
• You are a child of a former Australian citizen;
• You were born overseas to an Australian citizen;
• You were adopted by an Australian citizen;
• You lost or gave up your Australian citizenship.

Some of the privileges enjoyed by Australian Citizens include:

• The right to vote;
• The right to apply to work in the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force;
• The right to seek election to Parliament;
• The right to apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely;
• The right to receive help from an Australian official while overseas;
• The right to register children born overseas as Australian citizens by descent.

Citizenship Frequently Asked Questions