Australian citizenship at age 10
Direct citizenship pathway
22 April 2023
Children born in Australia to Special Category Visa-holders before 1 July 2022 who are aged 10 or older are nominally an Australian citizen if they have usually resided in Australia until at least the age of 10. They can apply for Evidence of Australian citizenship. They cannot apply under the new citizenship pathway.
If the child has not usually lived in Australia until age 10, or they have not yet turned 10, they can be added to their parent's citizenship application at no cost or make their own application for $300 if their parent is already a citizen.
Evidence of Australian Citizenship is currently taking 22 days to process, and the certificate is mailed out.
The following information is intended for a New Zealand citizen applying for Australian citizenship from the age of 10.
Before applying
Read the Evidence of Australian citizenship eligibility information on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Applying for citizenship
Anyone born in Australia, who did not acquire Australian citizenship at birth, can apply for evidence of Australian citizenship if they usually resided in Australia until the age of 10.
Note: if you were born in Australia and are aged 10+ you are not eligible for the direct citizenship pathway. Evidence of Australian citizenship is processed within a few weeks and costs $265 as at July 2023.
You do not need to be in Australia on your tenth birthday, but will need to show evidence of usually residing until your tenth birthday. For example, provide certified copies of your:
- full birth certificate
- passport photo page, your passport must be valid for at least six months
- school reports
- vaccination records
- travel records
- membership of sporting, cultural or community groups
Please note
The term usually residing is not defined, but an average no more than 90 days outside Australia per year would be a good guideline.
If you have not usually resided in Australia until your tenth birthday you may be able to apply apply directly for Australian citizenship.
You will need to include certified copies of your supporting documents such as birth certificates and passports with your application. Do not post original documents.
Dual citizenship
New Zealand citizens who are granted Australian citizenship automatically become dual citizens. Australian citizens must depart and enter Australia on an Australian passport. Once overseas you can travel on your New Zealand passport.
Apply online
Create an ImmiAccount to apply for Evidence of Australian citizenship online. Paper applications attract an additional $80 non-internet application fee.
Processing times
The Department of Home Affairs reports processing times for Evidence of Australian citizenship applications on its website.
Fees
The application fee for evidence of Australian citizenship at July 2023 is $240.
Related
For more information refer to Evidence of Australian citizenship on the Department of Home Affairs website.
If your child is not an Australian citizen from birth apply for NZ citizenship by descent.
Check to see if your child acquired Australian citizenship at birth.
Technical help
If you cannot resolve an issue with your application, refer to Common issues and error messages and ImmiAccount Technical Support on the Home Affairs website.
Have a question?
Click the Ask a Question box at the bottom of the Home Affairs website to use the digital assistant. It may not work with Mozilla Firefox in private browsing mode.
Alternatively, phone the Department of Home Affairs on 13 18 81.
Disclaimer
The above “Australian citizenship at age 10” information should not be relied on as an alternative to advice from the Department of Home Affairs, or a professional immigration services provider.
If you have any specific questions about an immigration matter, you should consult the Department of Home Affairs or a professional immigration services provider.