Australian Citizenship: Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

With an increasing level of immigrants arriving in Australia each and every year, more people are applying for Australian citizenship than ever before. As is the case with most Western countries, the application can be an extensive and drawn-out process. By having an idea of the requirements and eligibility criteria before you start the application process, you may save yourself time and money. In this article, Resolute Legal discusses the application process to become an Australian citizen as well as the criteria that people have to meet in order to be eligible.

Eligibility Criteria

There are a number of criteria that individuals must meet in order to become an Australian citizen. Keep in mind, there is a big difference between being a citizen and being a permanent resident. Some of the criteria include:

• Being born to a former Australian citizen
• Children that are adopted under a full Hague Adoption Convention or a bilateral agreement
• People born in Papua before the country’s independence from Australia in 1975
• People that used to be Australian citizens and wish to become a citizen again
• Individuals born in Australia but are currently stateless

There are a number of other eligibility criteria, however, the ones listed above are the main ones.

Application Process 

The application process can be a long and drawn-out one. Therefore, it is in your best interest to hire an immigration lawyer to aid you in this process. An immigration lawyer understands exactly how the application process works and can help you to fast-track it. The application itself is relatively cheap, costing less than 500 AUD. Although you may need to spend a little more than this on an immigration lawyer, it is worth it to ensure the application is processed efficiently and successfully.

Other Things to Consider 

There are different application processes for different people. If you are a New Zealand citizen, the process can be a lot easier. Furthermore, if you are over the age of 60, the application process is slightly different.

Learn more about the best immigration lawyer Townsville has to offer by contacting our team today.