BABIES BORN IN AUSTRALIA TO NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS

Kiwi parents, Aussie-born kids — sounds straightforward, right? But when it comes to babies born in Australia to New Zealand citizens, Australian citizenship can get a little murky. Whether you’re sorting it out for your baby, your teenager, or even yourself, we’ll walk you through it step by step.

Babies Born After 1 July 2022

If you’re a New Zealand citizen living in Australia, and your child was born in Australia on or after 1 July 2022, your child may automatically acquire Australian citizenship at birth. This change was introduced to simplify the citizenship process for children of New Zealand citizens residing in Australia.

Eligibility Criteria

Your child is automatically an Australian citizen if:

• They were born in Australia on or after 1 July 2022.
• At least one parent is a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category Visa (SCV) at the time of birth.

Steps to Obtain Proof of Citizenship

While your child is an Australian citizen from birth, you will need to apply for official proof of citizenship. Here’s how:

1. Receive Citizenship Certificate
   Once approved, your child will receive an official Australian citizenship certificate.
2. Complete the Application
   Visit the Department of Home Affairs website and fill out the “Evidence of Australian Citizenship“ application form.
3. Gather Required Documents
   Typically, you’ll need:
   – Your child’s full Australian birth certificate.
   – A copy of the New Zealand passport of the parent who was an SCV holder at the time of birth.
   – Evidence that the parent was residing in Australia on an SCV at the time of birth (such as visa records or travel history).
4. Submit the Application
   Submit the completed application along with the necessary documents and the applicable fee.
5. Wait for Processing
   Processing times can vary, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance of any planned travel or other activities requiring proof of citizenship.

Babies Born in Australia Before 1 July 2022 to New Zealand Citizens

If you were, and at least one of your parents was a New Zealand citizen living in Australia at the time, you were not automatically granted Australian citizenship at birth, unless that parent was also an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

But that doesn’t mean you’re not eligible now. There are two potential pathways to becoming an Australian citizen—even automatically in one case!

1. The 10-Year Rule – Automatic Citizenship

• Born in Australia, and
• Lived here continuously for the first 10 years of your life (regardless of your parents’ visa status),

This means:

• You don’t need to apply for citizenship,
• But you do need to apply for evidence of your citizenship (such as an Australian citizenship certificate) if you want a passport or need to prove your status.

You can apply for evidence of citizenship on the Department of Home Affairs website. Proof like school records, immunisation records, and medical history may be needed to show you lived in Australia continuously for 10 years.

2. Citizenship by Conferral (Application Process)

If you haven’t yet lived in Australia for 10 years, or if you’re over 10 and not eligible under that rule, you may still apply for citizenship by conferral.

This pathway is open to New Zealand citizens who:

• Hold a Special Category Visa (subclass 444),
• Have lived in Australia for at least 4 years, including 1 year as an eligible permanent resident or SCV holder,
• Meet character and other general requirements.

If you’re under 16, a parent or guardian can apply for you.