Australian Citizenship statistics
Over 4 million people have become citizens since Australian citizenship was introduced in 1949.
Some 95 per cent of the population are Australian citizens.
There are currently more than 900 000 permanent residents who are eligible to become Australian citizens.
Former nationality or citizenship
In 1949, during the inaugural year of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948, Australian citizenship was granted to 2 493 people from just over 35 different nationalities. The top 5 nationalities (and number of grants) at that time according to the Australian Yearbook 1953, ABS were:
- Italian (708)
- Polish (597)
- Greek (276)
- German (225)
- Yugoslav (80)
In 2006-07 a record 169 123 people from over 176 countries became citizens by grant, descent or resumption. The top 10 former nationality or previous citizenship of people who became Australian citizens in 2006-07 are in the table below.
| Previous citizenship | Total conferred | Per cent |
|---|---|---|
| UK | 25 948 | 19 |
| India | 12 896 | 9.5 |
| China, Peoples Republic of | 11 251 | 8.3 |
| New Zealand | 7 379 | 5.4 |
| South Africa, Republic of | 6 489 | 4.8 |
| Philippines | 5 129 | 3.8 |
| Sudan | 4 573 | 3.3 |
| Malaysia | 2 794 | 2 |
| Afghanistan | 2 712 | 2 |
| Vietnam | 2 603 | 1.9 |
On Australia Day 2007, 12 500 people from 111 countries became Australian citizens at 280 ceremonies around the country.
This year, there were 321 ceremonies held throughout Australia on and around Australia Day. The largest ceremony held on Australia Day took place in Western Australia, where 1360 people became citizens.