If you were born outside Australia and one or both of your parents was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth, you may be able to become an Australian citizen by descent.
It's not automatic — even where a parent was clearly a citizen when you were born, an application still needs to be lodged and approved before you're recognised as a citizen yourself.
Eligibility
To apply for citizenship by descent, you generally need to show that:
- you were born outside Australia;
- the person you're claiming descent from was your parent at the time of your birth, and was an Australian citizen at that time; and
- you satisfy the good character requirement, if you're 18 or older when you apply.
The circumstances of your parent's citizenship matter here — for example, whether they were a citizen by birth, descent or conferral, and whether they've since lost or renounced their citizenship, can all affect your own eligibility. This is worth checking properly rather than assuming descent applies just because a parent was Australian at some point.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
- If you're already an Australian citizen and just need proof of it, this isn't the right application — you'd apply for Evidence of Australian Citizenship instead.
- If you're 15 or younger, a parent needs to sign the application on your behalf.
- A bridging visa isn't available for this application type — if you're in Australia on a temporary visa while this is on foot, make sure that visa doesn't expire before your citizenship application is decided.
How the Application Works
- Check your eligibility before applying.
- Prepare your documents — evidence establishing the parent-child relationship and your parent's citizenship status at the time of your birth.
- Apply and pay online through ImmiAccount — you can apply from inside or outside Australia. If possible, give an Australian postal address in your application, since it helps your certificate arrive by registered post more quickly and securely once approved.
- Wait for a decision — unlike conferral, there's no citizenship test or interview for this pathway. Provide any extra documents requested and let the Department know if your circumstances change while it's pending.
- Receive the outcome in writing.
- Receive your citizenship certificate by registered post — no ceremony is required for this pathway. Check your name and date of birth on the certificate as soon as it arrives, and contact the Department promptly if anything's incorrect.
Citizenship Fees
Descent applications carry an application charge (set out in the Department's Form 1298i fee schedule), with a reduced fee for each additional sibling who applies at the same time. Fees typically increase on 1 July each year, so check the current figure before lodging.
How I Can Help
I can help confirm whether your parent's citizenship history actually supports a descent claim, gather the right relationship and citizenship evidence, and prepare and lodge the application on your behalf.
Think You May Be an Australian Citizen by Descent?
Contact me to have your eligibility assessed.
Important Information
The information on this page is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute migration advice for your individual circumstances. Citizenship requirements, fees and processing arrangements can change, and meeting the general requirements described above does not guarantee that an application will be approved. Professional advice should be obtained based on your individual circumstances before lodging a citizenship application.
