Australian Citizenship

Children adopted under the Full Hague Adoption Convention Bilateral Agreement by an Australian Citizen

Individuals born overseas and adopted outside Australia by an Australian citizen through the Hague Adoption Convention Bilateral Agreement can apply for Australian Citizenship through this pathway if they meet the following qualifications:  

• have a valid adoption compliance certificate
• adopted by at least one parent who was an Australian Citizen at the time of your adoption
• if the parent acquired Australian Citizenship through descent, your adoptive parent/s must have at least lawfully spent 2 years living in Australia when you apply for citizenship
• if you are 15 years or younger, your adoptive parents must apply on your behalf

All applicants must be of good character and pass the Australian Government’s character requirements, including not having recorded criminal convictions and reported domestic violence. You must also not have provided false or misleading information concerning previous visa or citizenship applications. 

Individuals born in Papua New Guinea before the 1975 Independence

Individuals born in Papua New Guinea before the 1975 Independence can apply for Australian Citizenship through this pathway if they meet the following qualifications:  

• have a valid proof of birth (Birth Certificate) 
• must have been born in Papua before 16 September 1975
• have at least one parent who was born in Australia and was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth

All applicants must be of good character and pass the Australian Government’s character requirements, including not having recorded criminal convictions and reported domestic violence. You must also not have provided false or misleading information concerning previous visa or citizenship applications. 

Previous Australian Citizens

Individuals who were previously Australian Citizens can resume their Australian Citizenship through this pathway if they meet the following qualifications:  

• is a citizen of another country as an adult before 4 April 2002
• have solid evidence on why you ceased your Australian Citizenship: mainly to acquire or retain the citizenship of another country
• have solid evidence on why you ceased your Australian Citizenship: to avoid significant hardship or detriment
• your Australian citizenship was revoked as a child when your responsible parent’s Australian citizenship ceased
• you were an Australian citizen by registration or naturalisation but continuously resided outside of Australia and New Guinea for 7 years between 26 January 1948 and 8 October 1958

All applicants must be of good character and pass the Australian Government’s character requirements, including not having recorded criminal convictions and reported domestic violence. You must also not have provided false or misleading information concerning previous visa or citizenship applications. 

Applicants denied of resuming their Australian Citizenship through this scheme may apply for a new Australian Citizenship by Conferral. 

Stateless individuals born in Australia

Individuals who meet these qualifications can apply for Australian Citizenship through this scheme:  

• born in Australia on or after 1 July 2007
• never have been a citizen of another country/nation
• is not entitled to acquire the nationality or citizenship of another country

All applicants must be of good character and pass the Australian Government’s character requirements, including not having recorded criminal convictions and reported domestic violence. You must also not have provided false or misleading information concerning previous visa or citizenship applications. 

Parents of applicants aged 15 Years and below must apply on behalf of their children and are required to attend an interview with the Department of Immigration.