Citizenship by Descent: How to Become an Australian Citizen

Australian Citizenship by Conferral and Descent allows eligible individuals to become Australian citizens through their lineage or by fulfilling specific eligibility criteria. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the process for both pathways.

Who is Eligible for Citizenship by Descent?

Citizenship by Descent is for individuals born outside Australia whose parent(s) were Australian citizens at the time of their birth.

Key Eligibility Criteria:

• Born on or after January 26, 1949, with at least one parent being an Australian citizen when you were born.
• Provide legal proof of parentage (e.g., birth certificates, citizenship documents).
• Applicants aged 18 or older must meet the character requirements.

Australian Citizenship by Conferral: Who Can Apply?

This pathway is for:

• Australian permanent residents aged 18–59.
• Children under 16 years applying with a parent or guardian.
• Eligible New Zealand citizens.
• Partners or spouses of Australian citizens.
• Refugees or humanitarian migrants.

Note:

• Children under 16 must be permanent residents but are exempt from the general residency requirement.
• Children aged 16 or 17 need to apply independently and provide proof if meeting residency requirements causes hardship.

Residency Requirements for Citizenship by Conferral

At the time of application, you must:

• Have lived in Australia on a valid visa for the past 4 years.
• Be a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen for the past 12 months.
• Have spent no more than 12 months outside Australia in the past 4 years, including no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.

General Exemptions for Residency Requirements

You do not need to meet residency requirements if you:

• Are under 16 years old.
• Were born to a former Australian citizen who lost citizenship before April 4, 2002.
• Were born in Papua before September 16, 1975, and had an Australian citizen parent.

Other Requirements for Citizenship

1. Character Requirement:
   Applicants 18 years or older must demonstrate good character, including:
   • No significant criminal convictions.
   • Upholding Australian laws and commitments made in the citizenship pledge.
2. Knowledge of Australia:
   • Applicants must understand Australia’s culture, democratic beliefs, and laws.
   • A citizenship test (75% passing score) is required for applicants aged 18–59.
3. Language Requirement:
   • Basic knowledge of English, demonstrated through the citizenship test.
4. Close and Continuing Link to Australia:
   Applicants must show an intention to live in Australia or maintain strong ties, such as:
   • Having Australian citizen family members.
   • Owning property or holding a job in Australia.
   • Paying taxes in Australia.

Costs and Processing Times

Type of Application	Cost (AUD)	Time for 75% of Applications	Time for 90% of Applications
Citizenship by Conferral	285	15 months	21 months
Citizenship by Descent	230 (95/sibling)	4 months	7 months
Evidence of Citizenship	180 (20 for concessions)	6 days	19 days

Disapproval of Applications

Applications may be disapproved for reasons such as:

• Failing to provide adequate proof of identity.
• Criminal offenses or risks to national security.
• Being outside Australia when the decision is made.

How Can We Assist You?

At Bansal Immigration Consultants, we specialize in helping you navigate the complexities of citizenship applications. From document preparation to application submission, we ensure a smooth and hassle-free process.

Contact us today to explore your eligibility and take the next step toward Australian citizenship!