Australian Citizenship

Having the citizenship of a particular country generally means you are recognised officially as a 'member' of that country, with certain responsibilities and privileges.
Usually people born in Australia of Australian parents become Australian citizens by birth. People who migrate to Australia acquire citizenship by grant whilst others acquire Australian citizenship by descent.
Background
From the time of European settlement until 1949, anyone born or naturalised in Australia was a "British subject." Australian citizenship began on 26 January 1949.
In 2007, The Australian Citizenship Act 1948 was repealed and replaced by the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 and Australian Citizenship Regulations 2007 which prescribes the ways in which Australian citizenship can be acquired and lost.
Responsibilities and privileges
Australian citizenship confers privileges and responsibilities, including the right to:
• stand for public office or nominate for election to Parliament
• apply for an Australian passport and leave and re-enter the country without a resident return visa
• seek consular assistance from Australia's diplomatic representatives while overseas
• apply to enlist in the armed forces and for government jobs, and
• register children (under 25 years of age born overseas) as Australian citizens by descent.
In return, Australian citizens are required to:
• obey the laws and fulfil their duties as an Australian citizen
• enrol on the Electoral Register and vote at Federal and State/Territory elections and referenda
• serve on a jury, if called on, and
• defend Australia, should the need arise (subject to the same rights and exemptions as Australian-born citizens).
Becoming a citizen is a significant expression of commitment. It is a bond to a way of life, a common purpose and vision for a shared future.
Citizenship Test

A permanent resident must successfully complete the citizenship test before applying for citizenship in order to show that they:

There is no fee for sitting the test. To make a booking for a test the applicant must contact the Department of Immigration. Once the test is successfully completed the applicant can apply for citizenship. If an application is made before the test is successfully completed the applicationj is likely to be refused and the application fee will not be refunded. The test lasts for 45 minutes and consists of 20 multiple choice questions to be answered in English on a computer. Of these, three are mandatory questions about the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship which must be correctly answered. The test also requires a 60% pass rate. Applicants can resit the test as many times as is necessary to secure a pass.

There are four steps the permanent resident must go through when applying for citizenship

1. Successfully complete the citizenship test
2. Complete and lodge the application form
3. The application is assessed by the Department of Immigration
4. The applicant makes a pledge of committment to become an Australian citizen at the Citizenship ceremony as follows:

From this time forward, [under God,]* I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey

*optional words

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