Citizenship is a common bond which brings together the people of Australia. Becoming a citizen is an important way of showing your pride in being part of Australia's dynamic and diverse society.
Australian citizenship brings with it significant rights and responsibilities. Becoming a citizen means you are expected to:
- Accept the basic structures and principles of Australian society
- Observe the rule of law, tolerance, equality of opportunity, Parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and religion, English as the national language, and equality of the races and sexes
- Acknowledge that expressing your own culture and beliefs means that you also have the responsibility to accept the right of others to express their views and values
CITIZENS' RIGHTS
Upon becoming an Australian citizen, you will enjoy the same rights as all other Australian citizens:
- The right to vote to help elect Australia's governments
- The right to apply for any public office or to nominate for election to Parliament
- The right to apply for an Australian passport and to leave and re-enter the country without a resident return visa
- The right to seek assistance from Australian diplomatic representatives while overseas
- The right to apply to enlist in the defence forces and for government jobs requiring Australian citizenship
- The right to register your child (under 25 years of age born overseas) as an Australian citizen by descent
CITIZENS' RESPONSIBILITIES
With citizenship, there are also certain responsibilities expected of all Australians. You will be required to:
- Obey the laws and fulfill your duties as an Australian citizen
- Enrol on the Electoral Register and vote at Federal and State/Territory elections and referenda
- Serve on a jury, if called on
- Defend Australia, should the need arise
BECOMING AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN
The most common way to become a citizen is by being born in Australia with at least one parent who is either an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia.
The second most common way is by grant, and this is the way most people who migrate to Australia become citizens. There are currently over 900,000 permanent residents still eligible to become Australian citizens.
Other ways to acquire citizenship include by descent, for children born overseas who have at least one parent who is an Australian citizen, or by being legally adopted in Australia by an Australian citizen.
To apply for an Australian visa or to take a free Australian Migration eligibility assessment please click here
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