Eligibility quiz
Were you born outside Australia?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Australian passport
Australian citizens can get an Australian passport, which must be renewed when it expires.
Live in Australia for life
Australian citizens can live in Australia indefinitely and return without a visa.
Live and work in 2 countries
Study in Australia
Australian citizens can study in Australia indefinitely.
They can access domestic higher education arrangements, including HELP loans if they meet the loan rules.
Work in Australia
Australian citizens can work in Australia indefinitely.
They can also seek Australian Government jobs, including in the public service and defence force, if they meet the rules for the job.
Get help abroad
Australian citizens can ask for help from Australian officials overseas.
Help is not guaranteed, and citizens with another citizenship may get only limited help in the country of their other citizenship.
Vote and run for office
Australian citizens can vote from age 18 in federal elections and referendums.
They can also stand for Parliament if they meet the election rules.
Use public healthcare
Australian citizens living in Australia can enrol in Medicare and claim benefits for eligible care.
Medicare does not make every kind of treatment free.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Fill in the application
Create or sign in to your ImmiAccount and complete the citizenship by descent application for yourself or your child. You can apply from Australia or overseas.
Start your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I start an Australian citizenship by descent application in ImmiAccount?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsDownload the identity declaration
Download Form 1195, Identity declaration, for yourself or your child.
Download the formComplete the identity declaration
Complete the applicant sections of Form 1195 for yourself or your child and ask a suitable person to complete the declaration. The form explains who can act as your declarant, including when you apply from outside Australia.
Complete the declarationAttach your documents
Scan and attach your documents to the application in ImmiAccount, and keep copies. Do not email them.
Attach your documentsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attach documents to an Australian citizenship by descent application in ImmiAccount?”
Submit your application
Pay the fee in ImmiAccount and submit the application. You can also apply by post using Form 118 instead.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay for and submit an Australian citizenship by descent application in ImmiAccount?”
Wait for the decision
Monitor ImmiAccount for the written decision and respond to requests for more information, documents or an appointment. Once approved, follow the instructions in your decision.
Track your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track an Australian citizenship by descent application in ImmiAccount?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your full birth certificate from the office that registered your birth. It should show your birth details and your parents where available. If you were born before 26 January 1949, also provide evidence of where and when your Australian parent was born, if this is how you show they qualify; provide certified copies for a paper application.
Parent's citizenship records
Provide evidence that your Australian parent was a citizen when you were born, or became a citizen on 26 January 1949 if you were born before that date. Depending on your circumstances, this can include their Australian citizenship certificate, citizenship-by-descent or adoption extract, Australian birth evidence or current Australian passport. If you were born before 26 January 1949, evidence that your parent was naturalised in Australia before your birth can also help show they qualify; provide certified copies for a paper application.
Parent's residence record *
Provide records showing that your Australian parent was physically present in Australia for at least two years in total before you apply. The application will tell you what evidence to provide; use certified copies for a paper application.
* Only if your Australian parent became a citizen by descent or under a special rule and you have ever been a citizen of any country.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Voting duties
Australian citizens aged 18 or over generally must enrol and vote in federal, state and territory elections, with some exceptions.
Voting is not compulsory just because a person is overseas on polling day.
To enrol while overseas, a person must meet conditions including an intended return within six years; someone leaving indefinitely can be removed from the roll.
Jury duty
Australian citizens, usually aged 18 or over, must serve on a jury if called, unless they are excused or exempt.
Citizenship can be lost
Giving up citizenship needs approval and usually another citizenship now or later; a visa is needed to return.
Citizenship can also be taken away in certain cases, including fraud.
A court can end it for a citizen aged 14 or over with another citizenship, convicted of certain very serious offences and jailed for at least three years in total, if their conduct rejects loyalty to Australia.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Australian Citizenship Applicants
English Facebook group for people interested in Australian citizenship
Request to joinr/AusVisa
English Reddit group for people interested in Australian citizenship and visas
Join on RedditAustralian citizenship and Pr discussion
English Facebook group for people interested in Australian citizenship and visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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