Becoming an Australian citizen is the topic of this installment of our guide to emigrating to Australia…
Attaining Australian citizenship formalises your membership of the Australian community and means that you no longer need to apply for visas to stay there. It entitles you to the same privileges that people who were born in the country receive and maximizes the opportunities available to you.
To apply for it you must: be aged 18 years or over; be of good character; be a permanent resident in the country at the time of application (and have lawfully resided there for at least 2-4 years); be likely to reside in Australia for the foreseeable future. You must also pass a citizenship test, which is in English and consists of 20 multiple choice questions on various aspects (history, culture, laws, citizen responsibilities, etc.) of Australia.
Information and advice regarding methods of application, the application process and fees can be found on the website of the Department of Immigration and Culture (DIAC). Carefully read through this before downloading an application form from the website or collecting a paper version from a branch of the Australian High Commission. At $200 per application, it isn’t cheap, so be sure that you’re eligible and have all the necessary documentation before proceeding.
The status of the visa you have when you apply, or any future ones you apply for, won’t be affected by a failed citizenship application but you won’t get your application fee returned to you. To save yourself both the time and expense incurred by an unsuccessful application (though either ineligibility or incorrect documentation) you might want to consider consulting with a migration agent, who will be able to advise on your likelihood of gaining citizenship and also guide you through the process.
Want to know more about emigrating to Australia? Take a look at our free guide: Emigrating To Australia