Emigrating to Australia

Applying for Australian citizenship grants the same rights and privileges afforded to indigenous Australians and unlike permanent residency, it grants successful applicants an Australian passport and the right to vote. Citizenship is in effect permanent irrevocable residency in Australia. Successful applicants may remain in Australia indefinitely and may study and work for any employer they choose without any restrictions.

Every year Global Visas help thousands of people to realise their dream of a new life in Australia. We assist with everything from short-term visit visas through to longer-term student visas, work permits and business visas as well as applications for permanent residency and citizenship. To find out whether you qualify for Australian citizenship and to begin your application today, visit the online assessment are now.

Who Can Apply for Australian Citizenship?

Australian citizenship is available to those who can demonstrate that they were born in Australia and to those who have satisfied the minimum residency requirements by holding permanent Australian residency for at least 12 months and by living and working in Australia for at least four years.

Applying for Australian Citizenship - Through Birth

Citizenship will automatically be awarded to people who can prove that they were born in Australia before August 20, 1986. Applicants who were born after this date will qualify if one or both of their parents was either a citizen of Australian or a permanent resident at the time of the applicant’s birth.

However, citizenship through birth is also available to applicants in other categories. Children born outside Australia to Australian parents qualify for a grant of Australian citizenship and a grant of citizenship may be awarded to an applicant who was neither born in Australia not has a parent with citizenship or permanent residency. In such circumstances, the applicant must have been living in Australia for most of the time up until their tenth birthday.

Dual Citizenship

Australia supports the practice of Dual citizenship whereby a foreign national may obtain Australian citizenship whilst retaining citizenship of another country. This applies equally to those claiming citizenship through birth and through the process of Australian naturalization; however it may be of particular interest to those applicants who intend to continue living overseas but have a claim to Australian citizenship.

However, it is important to realise that for dual citizenship to be issued, both countries, i.e. the destination, and the applicant’s current country of residence must support the practice. Where the applicant’s country of residence does not support Dual citizenship then an applicant will lose their citizenship of any other country. Your Global Visas consultant will discuss whether or not your country of residence supports dual citizenship.

Applying for Australian Citizenship - Through Naturalisation

The key requirements for applying for Australian citizenship through the process of naturalisation are concerned with the length of time a candidate has been present in Australia and their possession of permanent residency. Candidates must have been living in Australia for at least five years and they must have held permanent residency for at least 12 months. The minimum residency requirements are based upon continuous residency and candidates must not have spent more than 12 months of the 4-year requirement, or 3 months within the year before their application is submitted, outside Australia.

Other Eligibility Requirements

In addition to the residency requirements, most citizenship applications will require the candidate to undergo the Citizenship test. The test is based upon a candidates understanding of Australian values, history and culture with the aim of determining the candidate’s ability to integrate with Australian society. Applicants must also have some level of proficiency in the English language and must intend to either reside permanently in Australia or to maintain a close permanent connection with the country. In all cases, applicants must be in good health and must be judged to be of good character.

Visit the Global Visas online assessment are today to find out whether you qualify for Australian citizenship.