Australian citizenship consultants since 1995

Find out what you need to know about the following routes to Australian citizenship:

  • Born in Australia
  • Citizenship by descent
  • Citizenship through residency

Born in Australia

If you were born in Australia between 26 January 1949 and 20 August 1986, you are eligible to apply for Australian citizenship. Once approved, you can then apply for an Australian passport.

For those born after 20 August 1986, citizenship is not automatically granted at birth. Eligibility depends on your parents’ citizenship or visa status at the time of your birth.

For instance:

  • Children of foreign diplomats living in Australia are not automatically Australian citizens.
  • Children born to parents on temporary visas, such as the Skills in Demand visa, are not citizens by birth and must hold a valid visa to remain in Australia.

Citizenship by descent

If one of your parents was an Australian citizen at the time you were born, you’re generally eligible for Australian citizenship, no matter where you were born.

Even if your parent later renounces or loses their Australian citizenship, your own citizenship status remains unaffected.

You officially become an Australian citizen by descent once your application is registered with the Department of Home Affairs (previously known as the Department of Immigration and Border Protection). At that point, a Citizenship Certificate is issued confirming your status.

Citizenship through residency

You may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after four years of lawful residence in Australia on an eligible visa, including at least one year as a permanent resident.

Visas that typically count toward continuous residence include:

  • Skilled migration visas
  • Partner visas (where your partner holds an employer-sponsored visa)
  • Parent visas
  • Permanent residency status

Visas or circumstances that do not count toward residence eligibility include:

  • Unlawful or illegal residency
  • Student or tourist visas
  • Certain New Zealand citizens and their dependents who are not eligible under current law
  • Business long-stay visas

To qualify for Australian citizenship, you must:

  • Pass the citizenship test (unless you’re aged 60 or over)
  • Hold permanent resident status at both the time of application and decision
  • Meet the residence requirement
  • Intend to live in Australia or maintain a strong ongoing connection to the country

Australian visa assessment

Answer a few questions and we'll let you know if you're eligible to live and work in Australia.