Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsNo. 20, 2007
Compilation No. 31
Compilation date: 14 October 2024
Includes amendments: Act No. 39, 2024
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 14 October 2024 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.
Self-repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Part 1--Preliminary
1 Short title
2 Commencement
2A Simplified outline
7 Children born on ships or aircraft or after death of parent
8 Children born as a result of artificial conception procedures or surrogacy arrangements
9 Confinement in prison or psychiatric institution
11 Operation of Act
Part 2--Australian citizenship
Division 1--Automatic acquisition of Australian citizenship
11A Simplified outline
12 Citizenship by birth
13 Citizenship by adoption
14 Citizenship for abandoned children
15 Citizenship by incorporation of Territory
Division 2--Acquisition of Australian citizenship by application
Subdivision A--Citizenship by descent
15A Simplified outline
16 Application and eligibility for citizenship
17 Minister's decision
18 Registration
19 Day citizenship begins
19A When a person does not become a citizen despite the Minister's approval
Subdivision AA--Citizenship for persons adopted in accordance with the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption or a bilateral arrangement
19B Simplified outline
19C Application and eligibility for citizenship
19D Minister's decision
19E Registration
19F Day citizenship begins
Subdivision B--Citizenship by conferral
19G Simplified outline
20 Requirements for becoming a citizen
21 Application and eligibility for citizenship
22 General residence requirement
22A Special residence requirement--persons engaging in activities that are of benefit to Australia
22B Special residence requirement--persons engaged in particular kinds of work requiring regular travel outside Australia
22C Special residence requirement--legislative instruments
23 Defence service requirement
23A Citizenship test
24 Minister's decision
25 Minister may cancel approval
26 Pledge of commitment must be made
27 How pledge of commitment is to be made
28 Day citizenship begins etc.
Subdivision C--Resuming citizenship
28A Simplified outline
29 Application and eligibility for resuming citizenship
30 Minister's decision
31 Registration
32 Day citizenship begins again etc.
Division 3--Cessation of Australian citizenship
Subdivision A--Simplified outline of this Division
32A Simplified outline of this Division
Subdivision B--Citizenship renunciation and revocation
33 Renunciation by application
34 Revocation by Minister--offences or fraud
34A Revocation by Minister--special residence requirements
36 Children of responsible parents who cease to be citizens
Subdivision C--Citizenship cessation
36A Purpose of this Subdivision
36B Cessation of citizenship if citizenship cessation order made by court etc.
36C Citizenship cessation order if person is convicted of serious offence
36D Application by the Minister for a citizenship cessation order
36L No resumption of citizenship if citizenship ceases under this Subdivision
Division 4--Evidence of Australian citizenship
37 Evidence of Australian citizenship
38 Surrender of evidentiary notice
39 Altering evidentiary notice
Division 5--Personal identifiers
Subdivision A--Obtaining personal identifiers
40 Request for personal identifiers
41 Provision of personal identifiers
Subdivision B--Obligations relating to identifying information
42 Accessing identifying information
43 Disclosing identifying information
44 Unauthorised modification or impairment of identifying information
45 Destroying identifying information
Part 3--Other matters
Division 1--Bogus documents
45A Prohibition on, and forfeiture of, bogus documents
45B Seizure of bogus documents
45C Document condemned as forfeited
45D Dealing with a document after it is condemned as forfeited
Division 2--Other
46 Application requirements
47 Notification of decisions
48 Computerised decision-making
49 Evidence of whether computer program is functioning correctly
50 False statements or representations
51 Geographical jurisdiction for offences
51A Things seized under Crimes Act search warrant and information about such things
51B Reports to Parliament
52 Review of decisions
53 Delegation
54 Regulations
Schedule 1--Pledge of commitment as a citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia
1 Form of pledge no. 1
2 Form of pledge no. 2
Endnotes
Endnote 1--About the endnotes
Endnote 2--Abbreviation key
Endnote 3--Legislation history
Endnote 4--Amendment history
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1--About the endnotes
Endnote 2--Abbreviation key
Endnote 3--Legislation history
Endnote 4--Amendment history
Abbreviation key--Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.
If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and "(md not incorp)" is added to the amendment history.
ad = added or inserted | o = order(s) |
am = amended | Ord = Ordinance |
amdt = amendment | orig = original |
c = clause(s) | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
C[x] = Compilation No. x | /sub-subparagraph(s) |
Ch = Chapter(s) | pres = present |
def = definition(s) | prev = previous |
Dict = Dictionary | (prev ... ) = previously |
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament | Pt = Part(s) |
Div = Division(s) | r = regulation(s)/rule(s) |
ed = editorial change | reloc = relocated |
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | renum = renumbered |
effect | rep = repealed |
F = Federal Register of Legislation | rs = repealed and substituted |
gaz = gazette | s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
LA = Legislation Act 2003 | Sch = Schedule(s) |
Sdiv = Subdivision(s) | |
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
effect | SR = Statutory Rules |
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment | Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s) |
cannot be given effect | SubPt = Subpart(s) |
mod = modified/modification | underlining = whole or part not |
No. = Number(s) | commenced or to be commenced |
Endnote 3--Legislation history
Act | Number and year | Assent | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |
20, 2007 | 15 Mar 2007 | s 2A-54 and Sch 1: 1 July 2007 (s 2(1) items 2, 3) |
| |
Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006 | 46, 2006 | 22 May 2006 | Sch 8 (item 2): 1 July 2007 (s 2(1) item 8) | -- |
as amended by |
|
|
|
|
73, 2008 | 3 July 2008 | Sch 2 (items 19, 20): 15 Mar 2007 (s 2(1) item 55) | -- | |
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Testing) Act 2007 | 142, 2007 | 17 Sept 2007 | Sch 1: 1 Oct 2007 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 1 (items 12, 13) |
85, 2008 | 15 Sept 2008 | Sch 5 (items 1A-2, 6-10, 12, 13, 15, 16): 15 Mar 2009 (s 2(1) item 5) | Sch 5 (items 14, 16) | |
Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws--General Law Reform) Act 2008 | 144, 2008 | 9 Dec 2008 | Sch 10 (items 1-12): 15 Mar 2009 (s 2(1) item 29) | Sch 10 (items 8, 12) |
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Test Review and Other Measures) Act 2009 | 90, 2009 | 21 Sept 2009 | Sch 1: 9 Nov 2009 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 1 (item 9) and Sch 2 (item 8) |
51, 2010 | 31 May 2010 | Sch 5 (item 2): 1 Nov 2010 (s 2(1) item 7) | -- | |
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Defence Families) Act 2012 | 119, 2012 | 12 Sept 2012 | Sch 1: 1 Jan 2013 s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 1 (item 3) |
197, 2012 | 12 Dec 2012 | Sch 5 (item 13) and Sch 6 (items 15-19): 12 Mar 2014 (s 2(1) items 3, 19) | Sch 6 (items 1, 15-19) | |
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Special Residence Requirements) Act 2013 | 57, 2013 | 21 June 2013 | 22 June 2013 (s 2) | Sch 1 (item 19) |
106, 2014 | 24 Sept 2014 | Sch 5 (items 1, 3): 25 Sept 2014 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 5 (item 3) | |
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Act 2014 | 116, 2014 | 3 Nov 2014 | Sch 7 (item 7): never commenced (s 2(1) item 9) | Sch 7 (item 11) |
as amended by |
|
|
|
|
Migration Amendment (Protection and Other Measures) Act 2015 | 35, 2015 | 13 Apr 2015 | Sch 5 (item 1): 14 Apr 2015 (s 2(1) item 11) | -- |
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Intercountry Adoption) Act 2015 | 7, 2015 | 25 Feb 2015 | 25 Feb 2015 (s 2) | Sch 1 (item 9) |
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015 | 126, 2015 | 10 Sept 2015 | Sch 1 (item 43): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
164, 2015 | 2 Dec 2015 | Sch 2 (items 6, 80): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) | Sch 2 (item 80) | |
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Act 2015 | 166, 2015 | 11 Dec 2015 | Sch 1 and Sch 2 (items 1, 9): 12 Dec 2015 (s 2(1) item 1) | Sch 1 (item 8) and Sch 2 (item 9) |
Home Affairs and Integrity Agencies Legislation Amendment Act 2018 | 31, 2018 | 9 May 2018 | Sch 2 (items 39, 284): 11 May 2018 (s 2(1) items 3, 7) | Sch 2 (item 284) |
National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Act 2018 | 67, 2018 | 29 June 2018 | Sch 1 (items 27-30): 30 June 2018 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
18, 2020 | 6 Mar 2020 | Sch 1 (items 19, 20): 6 Sept 2020 (s 2(1) item 1) | -- | |
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Cessation) Act 2020 | 88, 2020 | 17 Sept 2020 | Sch 1 (items 1-13, 16-22): 18 Sept 2020 (s 2(1) item 1) | Sch 1 (items 16-22) |
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Repudiation) Act 2023 | 109, 2023 | 7 Dec 2023 | Sch 1 (items 1-10, 18): 8 Dec 2023 (s 2(1) item 1) | Sch 1 (item 18) |
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 2) Act 2024 | 39, 2024 | 31 May 2024 | Sch 10 (items 3-5): 14 Oct 2024 (s 2(1) item 2) | -- |
Provision affected | How affected |
Part 1 |
|
s 2A.................... | am No 142, 2007; No 7, 2015 |
s 3..................... | am No 85, 2008; No 144, 2008; No 116, 2014; No 67, 2018; No 109, 2023 |
s 6..................... | am No 46, 2006; No 144, 2008 |
s 6A.................... | am No 31, 2018 |
s 8..................... | rs No 144, 2008 |
s 10.................... | am No 142, 2007 |
Part 2 |
|
Division 1 |
|
s 15.................... | am No 126, 2015 |
Division 2 |
|
Subdivision A |
|
s 16.................... | am No 85, 2008 |
Subdivision AA |
|
Subdivision AA heading....... | rs No 7, 2015 |
s 19B................... | am No 7, 2015 |
s 19C................... | am No 7, 2015; No 18, 2020 |
Subdivision B |
|
s 19G................... | am No 142, 2007; No 90, 2009 |
s 21.................... | am No 142, 2007; No 85, 2008; No 90, 2009; No 119, 2012 |
s 22.................... | am No 85, 2008; No 144, 2008; No 90, 2009 |
s 22A................... | ad No 90, 2009 |
| am No 57, 2013 |
s 22B................... | ad No 90, 2009 |
| am No 57, 2013 |
s 22C................... | ad No 90, 2009 |
s 23.................... | am No 85, 2008 |
| rs No 119, 2012 |
| am No 164, 2015 |
s 23A................... | ad No 142, 2007 |
| am No 90, 2009 |
s 24.................... | am No 85, 2008; No 90, 2009; No 57, 2013 |
s 26.................... | am No 90, 2009 |
Subdivision C |
|
s 29.................... | am No 57, 2013; No 88, 2020 |
Division 3 |
|
Subdivision A |
|
Subdivision A heading........ | ad No 88, 2020 |
s 32A................... | am No 57, 2013; No 166, 2015; No 88, 2020; No 109, 2023 |
Subdivision B |
|
Subdivision B heading........ | ad No 88, 2020 |
s 33.................... | am No 166, 2015 |
s 33AA.................. | ad No 166, 2015 |
| rep No 88, 2020 |
s 34.................... | am No 85, 2008; No 144, 2008; No 57, 2013; No 7, 2015 |
s 34A................... | ad No 57, 2013 |
s 35.................... | rs No 166, 2015 |
| rep No 88, 2020 |
s 35AA.................. | ad No 166, 2015 |
| rep No 88, 2020 |
s 35AB.................. | ad No 166, 2015 |
| rep No 88, 2020 |
s 35A................... | ad No 166, 2015 |
| am No 67, 2018 |
| rep No 88, 2020 |
s 35B................... | ad No 166, 2015 |
| rep No 88, 2020 |
s 36.................... | am No 57, 2013; No 166, 2015 |
Subdivision C |
|
Subdivision C heading........ | ad No 88, 2020 |
| am No 109, 2023 |
s 36A................... | ad No 166, 2015 |
| rs No 88, 2020 |
s 36B................... | ad No 88, 2020 |
| rs No 109, 2023 |
s 36C................... | ad No 88, 2020 |
| rs No 109, 2023 |
s 36D................... | ad No 88, 2020 |
| rs No 109, 2023 |
s 36E................... | ad No 88, 2020 |
| rep No 109, 2023 |
s 36F................... | ad No 88, 2020 |
| rep No 109, 2023 |
s 36G................... | ad No 88, 2020 |
| rep No 109, 2023 |
s 36H................... | ad No 88, 2020 |
| rep No 109, 2023 |
s 36J.................... | ad No 88, 2020 |
| rep No 109, 2023 |
s 36K................... | ad No 88, 2020 |
| rep No 109, 2023 |
s 36L................... | ad No 88, 2020 |
| am No 109, 2023 |
Division 4 |
|
s 38.................... | am No 57, 2013 |
Division 5 |
|
Subdivision A |
|
s 40.................... | am No 142, 2007 |
Subdivision B |
|
s 43.................... | am No 51, 2010; No 197, 2012 |
Part 3 |
|
Division 1 |
|
Division 1................ | ad No 116, 2014 |
s 45A................... | ad No 116, 2014 |
s 45B................... | ad No 116, 2014 |
s 45C................... | ad No 116, 2014 |
s 45D................... | ad No 116, 2014 |
Division 2 |
|
Division 2 heading.......... | ad No 116, 2014 |
s 46.................... | am No 142, 2007; No 90, 2009 |
s 48.................... | am No 88, 2020; No 109, 2023 |
s 51A................... | ad No 106, 2014 |
s 51B................... | ad No 166, 2015 |
| am No 88, 2020; No 109, 2023 |
s 51C................... | ad No 166, 2015 |
| am No 88, 2020 |
| rep No 109, 2023 |
s 52.................... | am No 57, 2013; No 39, 2024 |
s 53.................... | am No 142, 2007 |
| am No 109, 2023 |