mcduffy

hi, I saw that there are some changes in immigration laws from 1st July and was wondering if there were any coming up for the citizenship application process?
thanks

roaringmouse

http://www.immi.gov.au/legislation/amendments/

mcduffy

Thanks, I can't see any changes coming up from that then.

Do you know if you receive a certificate when you get your citizenship? The reason I ask is that we applied for the evidence of citizenship (form 119) for our daughter when she was born (so she has a certificate) and we are due another baby in October and didn't know whether to do the same for the baby, or just apply for the baby on our citizenship application (but the baby may not get a certificate). Are the any benefits to doing it either way?

Antney

Yes you do get a certificate when you get your citizenship.

Children born in Australia to permanent residents are automatically Australian citizens.

mcduffy

great, thank you so I assume our next child would get a cert too if they were put on our citizenship application?

Also, do you know if there are any extra fees for the citizenship test, or is it included in the $260 cost? my friend seemed to think she paid a separate cost for her test but I can't see anything on the website.

thanks

rubbeldiekatz

all included

Not sure whether there is an additional fee if you fail the test the first time but I doubt it

Pollyana

No there isn't.
And DIAC haven't said anything about changes to citizenship, its only General Skills Migration that they have announced is to be revised.

mcduffy

thank you.

I just wanted to clarify, would our next child get a certificate too if they were put on mine and my hubbys citizenship application?

JAJ

You cannot include a child on a citizenship application if the child is already an Australian citizen. The correct approach is to fill form 119 for the child and pay the A$60 fee to get an individual certificate to prove that Australian citizenship was acquired at birth.

Substantive changes to citizenship normally require primary legislation rather than the changes to Regulations which are more common on the migration side (the Migration Act allows this). However, fees, etc, for citizenship can be changed anytime.

mcduffy

Right, I see. Thanks for clarifying, got myself a bit confused!