Revocation of Australian citizenship
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Can Australian citizenship be revoked?
The Australian Citizenship Act 2007 allows for revocation of Australian citizenship in very limited circumstances and only for convictions for actions prior to the acquisition of citizenship. Australian citizenship can be revoked if:
- a person has been convicted of making a false statement or representation in relation
to the person's application to become an Australian citizen
or - a person is convicted of a serious criminal offence at any time prior to becoming a
citizen involving a sentence of 12 months or more
or - the approval to become an Australian citizen was gained as a result of migration-related
fraud
or - the approval to become an Australian citizen was gained as a result of third party
fraud; for example, fraudulent conduct by a migration agent in the citizenship
application
and - it would be contrary to the public interest for the person to remain an Australian citizen.
The Australian Government supports the notion that there should be certainty of Australian citizenship status. An Australian citizen by birth cannot have their Australian citizenship revoked. Similarly, a person conferred citizenship after fully disclosing all relevant factors is the equal of any other Australian citizen, and therefore cannot have their Australian citizenship revoked.
People who have their citizenship revoked become the holders of an ex-citizen visa and are therefore subject to the provisions of the Migration Act 1958, including the requirement to be of good character.
The Migration Act 1958 provides for the cancellation of a visa, and removal of the former visa-holder from Australia, if the person is found to be no longer of good character.
Children of people whose citizenship is revoked
Children under the age of 18 may also have their citizenship revoked unless the other parent is an Australian citizen or the child would become stateless.
Can citizenship be resumed?
Adults who have had their citizenship revoked are not eligible to resume Australian citizenship. However, they may apply for citizenship by conferral if they meet all the requirements, including the good character requirement.