Apply for citizenship

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WHY BECOME AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN?

As an Australian citizen you can:

- vote in Federal and State or Territory elections, and in constitutional referendums

- apply for children born overseas to become Australian citizens by descent

- apply for a job in the Australian Public Service or the Australian Defence Force

- seek election to parliament

- apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely

- ask for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas.

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MAKE THE PLEDGE

At your Australian citizenship ceremony, you will make the Australian Citizenship Pledge. In doing so, you are making a public commitment to Australia and accepting the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.

At the citizenship ceremony, you will pledge:

- your loyalty to Australia and its people

- that you will share Australia’s democratic beliefs and respect its rights and liberties

- to uphold and obey the laws of Australia

You do not become an Australian citizen until you have made your pledge of commitment to Australia.

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RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN

As an Australian citizen you must:

- obey the laws of Australia

- vote in Federal and State or Territory elections, and in referendums

- defend Australia should the need arise

- serve on jury duty if called to do so.

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APPLYING FOR AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP

You can become a citizen of Australia in different ways.

You must meet criteria before you can apply.

If you're a permanent resident, click HERE.

If you're a over 60, click HERE.

If your parent was an Australian citizen when you were born overseas, click HERE.

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WHAT IS THE BASIC PROCESS?

STEP 1 - Make sure you are eligible

You need to check that you meet all requirements before you apply.

STEP 2 - Prepare your documents

Provide evidence to show that you meet all requirements:

- original police certificates

- scans of your original documents if you are applying online

- certified copies of all other documents if you have to lodge a paper application

- as much information as possible to help us decide your application

- each document only once, even if you are using it to show more than one thing

- all requested documents lodged with your application.

STEP 3 - Apply for citizenship

Apply and pay online in ImmiAccount.

Completing your application online, if possible, and providing all the documents listed for your application type,

helps to finalise your application more quickly.

You can apply from in or outside of Australia.

STEP 4 - Citizenship appointment

Most people aged between 18 and 59 years will have an appointment to sit the citizenship test.

You will be sent an appointment letter with the details. The time from when you apply to your appointment date varies, but can take several months.

Some applicants do not have to sit the citizenship test but may have an interview.

STEP 5 - Wait for a decision

Provide any additional documents asked for, and inform if any of your circumstances change; for example, if you change your name or address.

STEP 6 - Receive an Outcome

You will be informed by letter on the decision made on your application.

STEP 7 - Attend a citizenship ceremony

Most applicants for citizenship by conferral must attend a citizenship ceremony to make the pledge of commitment to become an Australian citizen.

You will receive your citizenship certificate after you make the pledge of commitment at your ceremony.

If you need to attend a ceremony, you will be sent an invitation letter, generally about four weeks before the ceremony.

Wait times for citizenship ceremonies can vary.

If you do not need to attend a citizenship ceremony, you will be sent your citizenship certificate by registered post.

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REFERENCES

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/what-does-it-mean