More than 4 million people have become citizens since Australian citizenship was introduced in 1949.

Former nationality or citizenship

In 1949, during the inaugural year of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948, Australian citizenship was granted to 2 493 people from just over 35 different nationalities. The top 5 nationalities (and number of grants) at that time according to the Australian Yearbook 1953, ABS were:

In 2007-08, 107 662 people were approved to become Australian citizens by conferral, descent or resumption.

A total of 121 221 people from more than 185 countries were conferred with Australian citizenship at ceremonies in 2007-08. (Note: this figure includes people who were approved for conferral in the previous program year but still had to attend a citizenship ceremony to officially become Australian citizens.)

The table below lists the top 10 previous citizenships of people who became Australian citizens by conferral at ceremonies during 2007-08.

Normally, Australian Citizenship application does not need a migration agent or a lawyer and most people make that application by themselves. We are however interested in children who doesnot have a visa in Australia and who is under the age of 18. Section 21(5) of the Citizenship Act 2007 allows such applications and there are policies on what circumstances these kind of applications can be granted.

Person aged under 18 years (s21(5))
"A person is eligible to become an Australian citizen if the Minister is satisfied that the person is aged under 18 at the time the person made the application."

The discretion in section 24(2) to refuse to approve an applicant becoming an Australian citizen despite being eligible under section 21(5) would usually be exercised where the applicant does not meet the policy requirements. In making a decision whether to refuse or approve an application, the primary considerations that need to be taken into account are the best interests of the child and the policy requirements set out in Citizenship Instructions.

Please do contact us if you need help in this type of situation.