Frequently Asked Questions.
The Minister for Home Affairs can revoke your citizenship attained through application or conferral for the following reasons:
Being convicted of having made a false statement or concealed a material circumstance in connection with the citizenship application;
Citizenship was granted as a result of migration-related fraud;
Citizenship was approved as a result of migration-related fraud by a third party;
Being convicted of an offence and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment (where the offence took place before citizenship was granted);
If parents lose their citizenship (except by death), their children under the age of 18 will may also lose their citizenship;
If you are over the age of 14 and you have dual citizenship, you renounce your citizenship by acting inconsistently with your allegiance to Australia by engaging in activities associated with terrorist offences;
By serving in the armed forces of another country who is at war with Australia.
If your citizenship has been revoked, you may be able to appeal the revocation in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. For further information, contact our Immigration Law team for a free initial consultation.
If you are an Australian permanent resident, you do not have an automatic right to re-enter Australia if you leave. Depending on the terms of your permanent residence, you may be required to apply for a Resident Return Visa. It permits you to travel in and out of Australia as many times as you like before its expiry. It is valid for five years.
Becoming an Australian citizen entitles you to many opportunities that are not available to Visa holders and permanent residents. These include:
Voting in federal, state/territory elections and referendums
Apply for children born overseas to become Australian citizens
Apply for a job in the Australian public service and Defence Force
Seek election to Parliament
Apply for an Australian passport and freely re-enter Australia
Ask for Australian consular assistance while overseas
