The Australian passport is an official document designed to identify the identity of a citizen of the country. It is issued for 10 years. The deadline varies depending on the age of the applicant and the circumstances of the application. It is important to remember that it is impossible to extend the validity of a biometric passport – you must submit a new request for receipt after the expiration of the existing one.
The Australian passport has a distinctive design that includes a traditional color scheme and several security features. The cover is made in dark blue, it has a gold inscription "Australia" and an image of the coat of arms. Each document contains a built-in microchip that stores the owner's biometric data.
How to get an Australian passport
To apply, you must first be an Australian citizen. This is a key condition, without which consideration is impossible. Citizenship can be obtained in various ways:
If the candidate or his parents are natives of Australia, then he automatically becomes its citizen.
A child born in Australia, regardless of the status of his parents, and who has lived in the country for 10 years, automatically receives Australian citizenship upon reaching the age of ten.
This is the process of obtaining citizenship through a residence permit. To do this, you need to live in the country for at least four years.
Applicants must also confirm their knowledge of the language, familiarize themselves with the basics of history, culture and law and order.
You can get a passport by submitting an application to the authorized body. But only those who were born on January 26, 1949 and after that date are eligible for this, if both or one of the parents were Australian citizens at the time of the child's birth.
Also, an applicant adopted by a citizen of the Union can receive a document confirming the identity of a citizen, but on condition that at the time of the child's admission to the family, he had permanent residence.
This method of obtaining a passport is relevant for people who were adopted by Australians in accordance with accepted norms and agreements established between the two states. To confirm the fact, you must present a valid certificate of conformity.
It is also important that the document has legal force in all Australian states. The application is accepted for consideration if the legal relationship between the applicant and the biological parents has been completely terminated.
A person who has reached the age of 18 and previously lost this status due to legal circumstances, for example, renunciation of citizenship due to naturalization in another state, can become the owner of Australian citizenship.
To restore the passport, it is necessary to send an application and wait for a decision.
For foreigners, the process of obtaining an Australian passport is quite time-consuming. It includes the following steps:
- Careful preparation of papers in accordance with current regulatory requirements.
- The choice of a guarantor who will verify the identity of the candidate and sign section 11 of the questionnaire.
- Making an application via the Internet using the official website of the local post office, where the sample is posted.
- A personal visit to the nearest branch of the state institution at the place of residence to present the full package.
- Payment of the fee provided for by law.
- Waiting for a decision to be made for up to 6 weeks.
- Visit the post office to receive.
Civil service employees notify of readiness by sending a message to the contact phone number or e-mail specified in the questionnaire.
The Law on Citizenship
Regulation of issues is carried out on the basis of a law adopted in 2007 and entered into force on 01.07 of the same year, which is valid in all states. Persons born in the country before August 20, 1986 acquired the status of citizens by right of birth, regardless of the nationality of their parents. For those born after the specified date, it is provided provided that at least one of the parents is an Australian citizen or has permanent resident status.
From July 1, 2022, children born to New Zealand citizens will also be granted Australian citizenship. Foreigners can apply for citizenship after four years of residence in the country, permanent resident status for at least 1 year and proof of English proficiency.
Required documents
In 2024, the applicant must submit a set of papers certifying citizenship and identity. The first category includes a birth certificate or certificate (when changing a name, an appropriate official confirmation is required). The second one includes:
- driver's license;
- Medicare or Centrelink cards;
- payment cards;
- completed passport application form;
- documents confirming ownership or rental of housing;
- utility bills and bank statements.
Two color photographs taken no more than six months ago are also required, one of which must be signed by the guarantor or the referent. Requirements for the snapshot:
- neutral facial expression;
- absence of hats and glasses (except for medical indications);
- monochrome light background.
Failure to comply with the rules leads to a delay in the consideration of the application or its rejection. The documents must contain complete information about the date of birth, address of residence and name, corresponding to the data specified in the application.
How much does an Australian passport cost
The mandatory fee ranges from about $2,120 to $3,000, but for businessmen and investors this amount reaches $8,860. Some categories of applicants are exempt from payment or have the right to use a preferential tariff. In case of urgent registration, an additional fee is added.
If the documents are not in English, they will need to be translated. The approximate cost of the service ranges from 50 to 100 AUD, depending on the volume and complexity of the text. The Government requires medical examinations for all applicants. The price ranges from $300 to $500. Additional tests may also be required, for example, for tuberculosis, which increases costs.
Australia does not offer direct citizenship programs through the purchase of real estate, as some other countries do. However, possession of it may indirectly contribute to the acquisition of a certificate. Property owners often receive a status that can later be converted to citizenship if a number of conditions are met. Buying an apartment or a house requires significant investments. The average cost of housing in major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne ranges from A$1 to A$2 million.
Obtaining an Australian citizen's passport is an important and responsible process that requires the accurate execution of all procedures and the provision of reliable information. It opens up wide opportunities for travel, provides owners with a high level of protection and privileges.
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