Your Complete Guide to Achieve Australian Citizenship by Conferral

Your Complete Guide to Achieve Australian Citizenship by Conferral

Your Complete Guide to Achieve Australian Citizenship by Conferral

Posted by admin on November 5, 2024

It is the best avenue for a permanent resident of Australia to transform into a citizen if they meet the requirements and criteria. It is a lengthy process divided into various steps that must be passed successfully to achieve the outcome, i.e., citizenship. Getting citizenship by Conferral guarantees a series of privileges, such as the right to vote and access to the Australian passport, and also makes individuals eligible for certain government jobs. It also confers duties to them, such as standing up for the nation in times of need.

Today, we will provide a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the application process to enhance your chances of a successful outcome. 

What is Australian Citizenship by Conferral?

It is one of the three ways of acquiring citizenship in Australia. Citizenship by Conferral is provided to individuals who have legally stayed in the country for a desired period and meet the requirements as stated by the authority. Someone with Australian citizenship by Conferral has the same privileges and duties as any other Aussie. 

How to Apply for Australian Citizenship by Conferral

The application process is composed broadly of three levels. A successful completion of the previous stage makes you eligible for the next stage. Reaching the final step guarantees Australian citizenship. We have listed down the three stages to help you clear the air surrounding it.

Step 1: Submitting the Application

This level involves filling out your form meticulously, along with providing all necessary supporting documents that satisfy the requirements. This would increase your chances of getting citizenship while making the journey smoother and hassle-free. 

Step 2: Citizenship Test

If the Department of Home Affairs regards you as eligible, they will schedule an appointment for you. Here, you have to sit for the citizenship test. You have to answer questions about the rights and duties of Australian citizens and the country’s lifestyle. It is to be known that this test is compulsory for everyone who has been selected. 

Step 3: Citizenship Ceremony

After successfully completing the previous stage, you have passed the citizenship test, and the next step involves attending a citizenship ceremony. It occurs within three months from the date your application is approved. During the ceremony, you are required to take the citizenship pledge to fulfil all the processes required to achieve your dream of becoming an Australian citizen. 

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Australian Citizenship by Conferral Requirements

Individuals who have resided in Australia for a minimum of 4 years and are permanent residents can apply for citizenship by Conferral. For this, 

  • One has to be a permanent resident for at least the last 12 months. 
  • The applicant must not have resided outside Australia for more than one year in the previous 4 years and not more than 90 days in the last 12 months. 
  • An individual has to be at least 18
  • Interested individuals must either reside or have a close-knit relationship with Australia. 
  • You must have ‘good character, ‘ meaning there are no court cases or convictions against your name that would otherwise lead to a rejection of your application.

Difference Between Australian Citizenship by Conferral and Descent

If a person was born in a foreign land while either of their parents were Australian citizens, they are eligible for citizenship by descent. It provides an individual with similar rights and duties as any other citizen of Australia. On the other hand, citizenship by Conferral is provided to those non-Australians who have resided in the country for a significant period and have met all the requirements as demanded by authorities. Although these two types of eligibility are different from each other, the benefits and privileges are the same for every citizen in the country. 

How Long Does Australian Citizenship by Conferral Take?

You need to have a little patience while waiting for your final call. This is because getting Australian citizenship by Conferral can be lengthy based on a number of factors, such as the volume of applications submitted, difficult cases, and applications with misinformation. 90% of applications are usually processed within ten months. 90% of approved applications get the chance to attend the citizenship ceremony in not more than 8 months after the approval.  

However, the actual processing times may vary because of the detailed scrutiny that each application undergoes before approval. The time can get delayed for a number of reasons, such as:

  1. If you have submitted an incomplete application and lack relevant documents for evidence. 
  2. The swiftness from your end in delivering the added information that was requested. 
  3. The time taken by authorities to perform checks and inspections on the supporting information provided by applicants. 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What are the steps to apply for Citizenship by Conferral?

It is a three-step process beginning with submitting your application. It is then followed by a citizenship test that checks your knowledge about Australia, which is a crucial stage for your application to be approved by the Department of Home Affairs. The final step involves attending a citizenship ceremony that grants you Australian citizenship after taking an oath.

2. Who needs to take the citizenship test, and what is it about?

This test checks your knowledge of Australia, the rights and duties you will have, and your English language and communication skills. Most applicants between the ages of 18 and 59 have to sit for the citizenship test to get a call for the citizenship ceremony. 

3. How long is the processing time for Citizenship by Conferral? 

The duration varies based on a number of factors, such as the volume of applications, time taken for checks and the promptness with which you furnish additional information. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that 90% of applications are processed within 10 months. 90% of the approved applications get the call to attend the citizenship ceremony within 8 months, which is the ultimate step in securing citizenship by Conferral in Australia. 

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