Australian Citizenship

Most people who apply for citizenship on or after 1 October 2007 will need to have passed the citizenship test before they lodge their citizenship application.

CITIZENSHIP TEST

Test Eligibility

To sit the test you must;

• Be an Australian Permanent resident
• Satisfy the department of your identity during the process of registering for the test
• Allow the department to take a photograph of your or provide one of yourself.

The following persons are not required to sit a test;

• Those who lodged their citizenship application before 1 October 2007
• Those aged under 18 or 60 and over
• Those who suffer from a substantial impairment or loss of hearing, speech or sight
• Those who suffer from a permanent physical or mental incapacity which means you are not capable of understanding the nature of your application
• Those who were born to a former Australian Citizen
• Those who were born in Papua before 16 September 1975 to an Australian Citizen born in Australia as currently defined
• Persons who are stateless and were born in Australia

How do I prepare for the test?

The resource book, Becoming an Australian Citizen, will help you prepare for the citizenship test. All test questions will be based on the content of the book. Everything you need to know to pass the test is contained in the book. It is highly recommended that you study the book prior to making a test booking.

To order your free copy, please contact the Department of Immigration on 131 880 or you can visit the web site www.citizenship.gov.au to download your copy.

Please Note: To help you prepare for the test, there is a test tutorial and a short practice test with five examples questions on the website.

What documents do I need to bring to the test?

You are required to bring each of the following 'proof of identity' documents on the day of your test;

• Full birth certificate
• Your current passport or travel document
• Up to two other forms of identification which has your photograph, signature and current residential address (e.g. your drivers licence)

Please Note: Additional documents will be required if you have changed your name (i.e. official Australian evidence of any name changes issued by the Australian Registry of Births, Deaths or Marriages. If you were married overseas, you will need to bring with you the certificate issued by the Australian RBDM).

What happens after the test?

If you have undertaken the test in Australia, you will receive your results immediately after completing the test. You will be given a printout with instructions.

If you have undertaken the test in Australia and have failed the test, you will be required to resit the test until you have passed. The instructor will advise the areas you will need to study.

I have passed the test, what do I do?

YOU CAN NOW APPLY FOR YOUR CITIZENSHIP.

CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION

The following are the main ways Australian Citizenship may be acquired:

• By birth in Australia to a parent who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• By adoption in Australia by a parent who is an Aboriginal citizen
• By lodging an application (available from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs or Frankston City Council), and subsequently being granted Australian Citizenship
• By descent through an Australian citizen if born outside Australia

A person who has lost their Australian Citizenship may be able to resume (reacquire) it.

AM I ELIGIBLE?

People who apply must:

• Have passed the test
• Be aged 18 years or over at the time the application is made
• Be a permanent resident
• Satisfy the residence requirement
• Be likely to reside, or to continue to reside, in Australia or to maintain a close and continuing association with Australia
• Be of good character

Residence Requirements

People who became permanent residents on or after 1 July 2007 must have been lawfully resident in Australia for four years immediately before applying including;

• 12 months as a permanent resident; and
• Absences from Australia of no more than 12 months, including no more than three months in the 12 months before applying.

People who became permanent residents before 1 July 2007 and apply before 30 June 2010 must have been physically present in Australia as a permanent resident for a total of two years in the five years before applying, including one year in the two years before applying.

For further information, please visit the Australian Citizenship Website www.citizenship.gov.au or phone the Enquiry Line on 131 880. 

Exemptions

You are exempt from this requirement if:

• You have served in the permanent Australian Defence Forces for at least three months
• You have served in the Australian Reserve Forces for at least six months

APPLICATION CHARGE

Each application form must be accompanied by an application charge. The standard application fee is currently $AUD240.00.

A concession fee is available to applicants who have a permanent financial disadvantage, and are recipients of certain pensions from Centrelink or the Department of Veteran Affairs. The fee payable is $AUD40.00.

Evidence of eligibility for a fee concession is required. Please contact the Citizenship Enquiry Line to see if you are eligible, on 131 880, or visit the Citizenship Web site,   www.citizenship.gov.au.

CHILDREN AND CITIZENSHIP

Children over 16 years of age

Children aged over 16 years may become Australian Citizens by having their name included on an application for Australian Citizenship made by a responsible parent.

Children under 16 years of age

Children aged under 16 years may become Australian Citizens by having their name included on an application for Australian Citizenship made by a responsible parent.

The children become Australian Citizens at the same time as their responsible parents if their details are included on that parent's certificate of Australian Citizenship.

If these children wish to have a separate certificate, a responsible parent should lodge form 119 Application for a Certificate of Evidence of Australian Citizenship on behalf of the child after they become an Australian Citizen. There is a charge for applications on form 119.

Children under 16 years, who are included on their parent's application, are welcome to attend the Citizenship Ceremony with their parents, but they do not have to.

Adopted Children

A responsible parent may apply for Citizenship on behalf of their adopted child.

It is the policy of the Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Minister, that, in usual circumstances, children adopted overseas will not be granted Australian Citizenship unless:

• An adoptive parent had resided overseas for 12 months or more at the time of adoption
• The child has been re-adopted in Australia
• The overseas adoption has been recognised/verified in Australia.

Note: A person who has a permanent residency, and was adopted in Australia by an Australian Citizen parent, on or after 22 November 1984, acquired Australian Citizenship automatically on the date of adoption. Such a person should apply on Form 119 - Application for a Certificate of Evidence of Australian Citizenship.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP

In many cases, acquiring Australian Citizenship does not mean that you automatically cease to be the citizen of your existing country of citizenship. This depends on the laws of that country. It is advisable to contact that country's consular or diplomatic representative in Australia for confirmation prior to applying for Australian Citizenship.

HOW TO APPLY

STEP 1

Complete your application form.

Make sure you:

• Answer all the questions you are required to answer
• Give correct details - you may not be able to change them later
• Initial any alterations you make to the information you provide on the form
• Sign and date the form

STEP 2

Have the Proof of Identity declaration completed by an eligible person. Please make sure that the person who completes the Proof of Identity declaration section signs the back of your passport sized photo.

STEP 3

Make sure you have all the required personal documents. They must be original documents not photocopies.

STEP 4

Payment must accompany your application and is generally not refunded if the application is unsuccessful.

Please ensure that you are eligible before you apply because your application charge will not be refunded if you are not eligible.

Method of Payment:

• Credit Card
• Debit Card
• Bank Cheque/Money Order - made payable to Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

STEP 5

Lodging your application

You may lodge your application by mail, electronically, or personally.

Lodging by mail

Place the following into your return envelope:

• Your completed application form; and
• Application charge (do not send cash)

For Frankston City residents, please return your form to:

Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
51 Princess Highway
DANDENONG VIC 3175

Lodging electronically

To lodge an application electronically, please visit the Citizenship Web site www.citizenship.gov.au and complete the electronic form.

The Department of Immigration will contact you about the compulsory interview. Please ensure you bring along your signed photograph, completed form, and other personal details.

Lodging personally

The nearest Department of Immigration for Frankston City residents is 51 Princess Highway, Dandenong.

When lodging your application in person, you must bring the following:

• Your completed application form
• Your personal documents
• Your photograph (signed by the eligible person)
• Your application charge
• Your return envelope

THE INTERVIEW

All applicants must attend an interview (except children under 16 years of age).

At the interview:

• Your application form and documents will be examined
• You will be asked about the responsibilities and privileges of Australian Citizenship
• Your ability in the English language will be assessed
• You will be asked to make a choice about which pledge of commitment you wish to make at your Citizenship Ceremony (Oath - under God, or Affirmation without God)
• An officer will explain what happens after the interview
• You can ask questions

You will receive written advice as to whether or not your application has been approved. This process can take up to 90 days.

THE CEREMONY

Frankston City Council recognises that becoming an Australian Citizen is an important occasion in your life and endeavours to make the Citizenship Ceremony, conducted in a relaxed, informal atmosphere, a memorable and happy occasion.

Once your Australian Citizenship Certificate has been forwarded to us, we will contact you to invite you to the next available Citizenship Ceremony, which is usually held at the Civic Centre, Davey Street, Frankston. The ceremonies are held approximately every three to four weeks depending on the number and timing of delivery of Certificates from the Department of Immigration.

All candidates 16 years and over must attend a Citizenship Ceremony and make the Australian Citizenship Pledge to become an Australian Citizen (a copy of the pledge will be provided at the ceremony).

Citizenship Ceremonies are held in the Council Chambers at the Frankston Civic Centre, and upon arrival, you will be greeted by a member of the administration staff, who will mark candidate's names off and direct candidates and guests where to sit. Please note: the number of guests is limited to 2.

AT THE CEREMONY

You will be asked to make the Australian Citizenship Pledge in English.

You will receive your Certificate of Australian Citizenship, a memento card displaying the words of the pledge, a book on Melbourne, and an Australian native plant from Council.

Enclosed with your Certificate you will find an Application for Electoral Enrolment Form with the information you provided in your Citizenship application. You will be asked to check these details, make any necessary changes, sign the form, have it witnessed, and return it to the officer from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) attending the ceremony. You may also return the form to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) by post.

The Mayor will conduct the ceremony and, on most occasions, local Members of Parliament will be in attendance. Complimentary photographs will be taken of candidates with family/friends and posted out shortly after the ceremony. The ceremony concludes with refreshments, where candidates may relax and celebrate their new status with family and friends.

You become an Australian Citizen on the date you attend your Citizenship Ceremony and make the pledge of commitment to Australia. Your certificate will be your legal proof of Australian Citizenship.

You should be aware that if you do not attend a ceremony within 12 months of the date of approval of your application for Citizenship, you will be required to reapply unless you have an acceptable reason for failing to attend.

WHO DO I CONTACT FOR INFORMATION

If you wish to obtain an application kit or have any enquiries, please contact the Citizenship Information Line on 131 880.

Alternatively, you can visit the Citizenship Web site www.citizenship.gov.au, or the nearest Department of Immigration office, 51 Princess Highway, Dandenong, for further information.

For enquiries regarding the Citizenship Ceremony, please contact Frankston City Council's Governance Officer Michelle Krause on 9784 1816.