Australia · Descent · Citizenship

Australia Australian Citizenship by Descent

Eligible applicants born abroad to an Australian citizen parent can apply for Australian citizenship by descent.

Value scoreCheckingPassport data under review

5-year costCheckingone applicant, not recoverable

DecisionCheckingComparable time under review

Official program page

Value: what the Australian Citizenship by Descent gives you

Passport reach 25 pts weightChecking

Path to citizenship 25 pts weight100

Work, family, healthcare 20 pts weightChecking

Stay rule 15 pts weightChecking

Tax on foreign income 10 pts weightChecking

Policy stability 5 pts weight60

Passport: visa-free destinations: Checking
Years to permanent residence: Checking
Years to citizenship: ImmediatelyOfficialAustralian Department of Home Affairs, checked 2026-11-15The application is for citizenship on approval.
Leads to citizenship: Checking
Can work for a local employer: YesOfficialAustralian Department of Home Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Australian citizens can work without immigration work conditions.
Same application for spouse and children: Checking
Public healthcare: YesOfficialServices Australia, checked 2026-11-15Australian citizens can enrol in Medicare once they meet the Australian residence and identity requirements.
Minimum stay per year: Checking
Tax on foreign income: Checking
Dual citizenship allowed: YesOfficialAustralian Department of Home Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Australia allows multiple citizenship, subject to other countries’ laws.
Rule changes, last 24 months: ChangedOfficialFederal Register of Legislation, checked 2026-11-15Fees increased on 1 July 2026.

Cost: what the Australian Citizenship by Descent costs over five years

Government fees: $257.84OfficialFederal Register of Legislation, checked 2026-11-15AUD 380 for one adult applicant. Discounted sibling applications follow a separate fee. Conversion: AUD 380 to USD at 2026-11-13 reference rates.
Non-refundable contribution: $0OfficialAustralian Department of Home Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Descent applications have no financial contribution.
Due diligence: Checking
Compulsory extras, first year: Checking
Renewal fees, first 5 years: $0OfficialAustralian Department of Home Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Citizenship does not have a residence-permit renewal schedule.
Investment you may get back: Checking
Minimum income per month: Checking
Extra for a spouse and two children: Checking
Typical adviser fees (not in the total): Checking

USD estimates use the 13 November 2026 reference rates of the European Central Bank, Central Bank of Armenia and Central Bank of the UAE, and the Central Bank of Uruguay rate for UYU. The Panamanian balboa uses its official one-to-one parity.

Speed: how long the Australian Citizenship by Descent takes

Official processing time: Checking
Reported processing time (median): Checking
Approval to card or passport: Checking

Sources

Australian citizenship by descent, Australian Department of Home Affairs. Checked 2026-11-15.
Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1), fees, Federal Register of Legislation. Checked 2026-11-15.
What citizenship means, Australian Department of Home Affairs. Checked 2026-11-15.
Work restrictions, Australian Department of Home Affairs. Checked 2026-11-15.
Medicare enrolment for Australian citizens, Services Australia. Checked 2026-11-15.

Every figure on this page last reviewed 2026-11-15. General information, not legal advice. Spotted an error? Email us from the contact page.

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