Australian citizenship
The Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 was the first time the term ‘Australian citizen’ had been used in any legislation (laws made by parliament), including the Constitution.

A

Citizenship before 1949
Until 1949 there was no such thing as an Australian citizen. Before that anyone born or naturalised (made a citizen) in Australia was a British subject. People travelling overseas were issued with British passports.

B

The Australian Constitution did not mention ‘Australian citizenship’. This is because at the time of Federation (1901) until at least the Second World War (1939–1945), most Australians identified themselves as British.

C

However from the 1940s onwards, the British Empire became weaker and more non-British immigrants came to Australia. So people started to think more about ‘Australian citizenship’ rather than being ‘British subjects’.

D

Nationality and Citizenship Act
The Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 was passed and came into effect on Australia Day, 26 January 1949.

E

To be an Australian citizen a person had to be born in Australia. All existing British subjects were now automatically Australian citizens. All people born in Australia after 26 January 1949 were automatically Australian citizens.

F

The Act has been changed occasionally. The latest changes mean that for an ‘alien’ (a non-Australian citizen) to become a citizen they have to pass a test, and live in Australia for four years.

G

Any person born overseas to at least one Australian citizen parent is automatically an Australian citizen.

If a child is born in Australia to non-citizen parents and lives most of their life up to age 10 in Australia, the child becomes an Australian citizen at age 10.

H

Citizens over the age of 18 must register and are eligible to vote for state and federal parliaments.

I