Australian Citizenship by Conferral: Eligibility, Application Process, and Benefits

Australian citizenship conferral is a process that grants the rights and privileges of an Australian citizen to permanent residents who have resided in Australia for a specific period and meet certain criteria. As a citizen, you gain the right to vote, work for the Australian Public Service or Defence Force, and obtain and use an Australian passport. You also have responsibilities, such as serving on a jury and defending Australia if necessary.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Australian citizenship by conferral, you must meet several requirements:

Residence Requirement

Most applicants must be permanent residents of Australia and have lawfully resided in Australia for at least four years. Your residency starts on the day you were granted the permanent visa in Australia or the day you first entered Australia on a permanent visa.

You must have been living in Australia on a valid visa for the past 4 years, and be a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen for the past 12 months. You should have been 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.

Exemptions to this requirement apply to individuals under 16 years, those born to a former Australian citizen who lost their citizenship before 4 April 2002, and those born in Papua New Guinea before 16 September 1975 where one of the parents was an Australian citizen at the time of their birth.

Character Requirement

Applicants aged 18 years or over must be of ‘good character‘, which refers to the ‘enduring moral qualities of a person’. The Department of Home Affairs will assess whether you are likely to uphold and obey the laws of Australia and meet other commitments made through the citizenship pledge. Factors such as criminal convictions, obligations to a court in Australia or overseas, associations with people of concern, incidents of reported domestic violence, and honesty in dealings with the Australian community are considered.

Knowledge of Australia & Language Requirement

You should score 75% or more on the citizenship test to meet the knowledge and language requirements. Some applicants do not have to sit the test but must have an interview to show they understand what it means to become an Australian citizen and have adequate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship.

Close & Continuing Link to Australia

You must intend to live in Australia or maintain a close and continuing association with Australia while overseas. Factors such as having a child or a partner who is an Australian citizen, extended family in Australia, time spent in Australia, having a bank account, a job, paid income tax, or property in Australia are considered.

Application Process

The application process is broken down into stages:

Stage 1: Lodgement of Application

The first step is to lodge your citizenship application, along with any supporting documents required to demonstrate that you satisfy the relevant requirements. These include identity documents, character documents, and any supporting documents showing exemptions or special residence requirements. Most applications can be lodged online.

Stage 2: Citizenship Test

After your application is lodged and the Department of Home Affairs has determined that you are eligible for citizenship, they will ask you to attend an appointment. At this appointment, you will present your original documents, uploaded as part of your application, and sit the citizenship test.

Stage 3: Citizenship Appointment

Following the citizenship test, you will have an appointment with a Department of Home Affairs official. They will check your original documents and may ask you questions about your application, test results, and reasons for applying. This appointment is used to make a final decision on your application.

Stage 4: Citizenship Ceremony

If your application is approved, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony. This is where you will make the Australian Citizenship Pledge and officially become an Australian citizen.

Benefits of Australian Citizenship

As an Australian citizen, you are entitled to a range of benefits, including the right to vote and have a say in the nation’s governance, the opportunity to apply for an Australian passport, and the ability to work for the Australian Public Service or Defence Force. You can also leave and re-enter Australia freely without having to apply for a return visa.

Moreover, you become a part of the Australian community with the same responsibilities as other citizens, such as serving on a jury and defending Australia if necessary. You will also receive the protection and support of Australian officials while overseas.

In summary, Australian citizenship by conferral grants the rights and responsibilities of an Australian citizen to eligible permanent residents. By meeting the specified eligibility requirements, submitting an application, and passing the citizenship test, you can enjoy the benefits and privileges that come with being an Australian citizen.

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