International travel now seems a distant memory and an unlikely proposition until at least the middle of next year. The COVID-19 pandemic has made many of us question where we belong in an uncertain world and what country we call home. While we are going to be firmly here on Australian soil in the near future, it might be an ideal time to prepare your application for Australian citizenship. In this article, you can find out the benefits of being an Australian citizen and why it’s important to get it done now.

Why apply now?

Proposed changes to citizenship eligibility

In recent years, the Federal Government has discussed the possibility of tightening up the requirements to qualify for Australian citizenship. Some of these proposals included stretching out the time that a person needed to have been a permanent resident in Australia, raising the minimum level of English required and new requirements around integration into the “Australian community”. Although these proposed changes did not end up being passed in parliament, there are many within the current government who would like changes to citizenship eligibility revisited at some point in future. Right now is a good time to apply for citizenship before any potential changes are introduced down the track.

Countries all over the world are prioritising their citizens

If the COVID-19 pandemic has shown one thing, it is that each country has demonstrated that the wellbeing of their citizens is their number one priority. Whether it’d be closing borders to non-citizens, evacuating their citizens who are stuck overseas or providing financial assistance to those who have lost their jobs. Becoming an Australian citizen will ensure that you are not left behind when emergency or tragedy strikes.

Hassle free travel

Becoming an Australian citizen will entitle you to an Australian passport which is regularly ranked as one of the most powerful passports in the world. A passport’s “power” is based on the passport holder’s ease in gaining entry to other countries. According to the Global Passport Index 2020, an Australian passport holder can enter 80 countries without the need for a visa and 40 other countries with a visa on arrival. This will be particularly beneficial once international travel resumes. An Australian passport would also enable you to access Australian consular support while overseas which will be handy during times of emergency. 

Participate in elections

As an Australian citizen, you will also have the right to vote and participate in democratic elections held in Australia at the federal, state and local levels. This means you will be able to cast your vote for the political party or the political candidate that appeals to you. Being able to vote is a privilege not available to everyone in the world. 

Apply for some help from the government

Another advantage of becoming an Australian citizen is being able to access various types of government assistance. If you wish to undertake study in an eligible course, the government may provide financial assistance through a student loan or reduced fees through the HECS-HELP scheme. As an Australian citizen, you might also be eligible to apply for the HomeBuilder grant. This is a $25,000 grant by the government for eligible Australians to build a new home, substantially renovate an existing home or purchase a home off the plan. There are a number of other types of state and federal government assistance that are only available to Australian citizens. 

Say goodbye to your Australian visa

If you’re a permanent resident and tired of constantly having to renew your travel rights on a Return Resident Visa (RRV) every 5 years, then becoming an Australian citizen will mean you no longer need to go through this repetitive process. Once you’re an Australian citizen, you no longer need a visa to be able to travel in and out of the country. Your Australian passport means that you can spend as much time abroad as you like and return whenever you want. 

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Are you eligible for citizenship?

There are several pathways to obtain Australian citizenship. These include: 

• As a permanent resident who has met the residency requirements (by conferral)

• As an eligible New Zealand citizen who was residing in Australia on or before 26 February 2001

• If one of your parents was an Australian citizen when you were born (by descent)

• You were born in Australia and one of your parents was a permanent resident when you born

• If you were born in Australia to temporary residents and you have lived in Australia continuously until you were 10 years of age

• You were formally adopted by an Australian citizen

Processing time

The time it takes to become an Australian citizen will depend on the pathway in which you are obtaining Australian citizenship. The current estimated processing time according to the Department of Home Affairs website can be anywhere from as little as 74 days for those applying for citizenship by descent to as long as 29 months for people applying for citizenship by conferral. 

However, the good news is that in response to COVID-19, the Department of Home Affairs are now holding online citizenship ceremonies. The acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge has recently stated that waiting times for Australian citizenship are expected to drop by the end of this year.

Assistance in applying for Australian citizenship

The citizenship application is long compared to many visa applications. Many people consider it tedious and working out whether you meet the requirements can be confusing. The team at Titan Migration provides advice and assistance to people wishing to apply for Australian citizenship. We can advise on whether you qualify, ensure that your citizenship application is accompanied by all the required documents, contains accurate information and is complete at the time it is submitted to the Department of Home Affairs. This reduces the likelihood of any delays to the processing of your citizenship application. If you are ready to join the Australian family and would like us to handle your citizenship application, contact us or book a consultation online.

Need help with your Australian citizenship application?

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About Peter Chang

Peter Chang is a registered migration agent based in the Western Sydney hub of Parramatta, Australia. He is the co-founder of Titan Migration, a consultancy specialising in providing Australian immigration advice and visa assistance services.

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