Facts about Australian citizenship

Letter to the Editor - Herald Sun
31 December 2003

Dear Sir/Madam

I would like to clarify a number of points regarding Australian citizenship and the status of British migrants who have been living in Australia since the 1950s, in response to letters to the editor published in the Herald Sun on 27 and 30 December 2003.

The suggestion that all UK migrants arriving in Australia in the 1950s were automatically given Australian citizenship is not correct.

From 1949 to 1973, people born in the UK or Ireland could register as Australian citizens after one year in Australia. All other migrants were required to live in Australia for at least five years before they could apply for Australian citizenship and were required to take an Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance at a citizenship ceremony. In 1973 a three year permanent residence requirement was established for all migrants irrespective of country of birth. In 1984, it was reduced to two years.

Migrants have never been able to become Australian citizens automatically by joining the permanent Defence Forces. However, they have been able to apply for citizenship after completing at least three months service.

There are an estimated 346,000 UK citizens who are permanent residents and meet the residence requirement for the acquisition of Australian citizenship and who have not yet chosen to apply for citizenship.

Information and application forms are available from the Department's citizenship website: www.citizenship.gov.au or the citizenship information line on 131 880.

Kym Charlton
Acting Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA