An additional number of eligibility streams exist leading to conferral, adoption or resumption of citizenship.

Conferral by child 15 years of age or younger applying as an applicant in their own right

• Applicant must be 15 years of age or younger and applying on their own; and
• Live with a responsible parent who is an Australian citizen who consents to the application; or
• Be usually resident in Australia with a responsible parent who consents to the application, who is a permanent resident and meets the residence requirement but decided not to apply for Australian citizenship because the person would lose their citizenship of another country; or
• Living with a responsible parent who consents to the application and the responsible parent is not an Australian citizen but the applicant can evidence that not obtaining citizenship would result in significant hardship or disadvantage;
• Applicant must be a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen at the time of application and at time of decision on the application.

Conferral by a person born in Papua before independence in 1975

• Applicant must provide evidence of their birth in Papua before 16 September 1975; and
• Provide evidence that one of parent was born in Australia as it is now known and was an Australian citizen at the time of applicant’s birth; and
• Pass the character test.

Conferral by a person born in Australia and stateless

• Applicant must have been born in Australia;
• Not be a national or citizen of any country;
• Never have been a national or citizen of any country;
• Not be entitled to acquire the nationality or citizenship of a foreign country.

Adoption of a child overseas by an Australian citizen

• Applicant must have a valid adoption compliance certificate made through the Hague Convention or a bilateral arrangement;
• Have an Australian citizen parent;
• The adoptive parent must apply on the applicant’s behalf where 15 years of age or younger.

Conferral of persons born to a former Australian citizen

• Applicant must provide evidence of their birth to a former Australian citizen; and
• Pass the character test.

Resumption of Australian citizenship

• Applicant must satisfy the Department of Home Affairs' delegate as to their identity and where over the age of 18 years be of good character;
• Provide evidence as to the circumstances of the cessation of Australian citizenship;
• Where ineligible to resume Australian citizenship, an applicant may still be eligible to make an application for Australian citizenship by conferral.

Citizenship Law Services