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Regaining citizenship made easier

July 9, 2004

Becoming a born-again Australian will be easier under proposed changes to the Citizenship Act.

People would be eligible to regain Australian citizenship lost when they became citizens of another country, provided the applicants were of good character. Children born overseas to former Australian citizens also would be eligible to become Australians.

It would also become easier for foreign spouses of Australians who spent much of their time overseas for work purposes to become Australian citizens.

Also, the age at which citizenship applicants became exempt from English language requirements would be lowered from 60 to 50.

Citizenship Minister Gary Hardgrave told the Sydney Institute the changes would bring the 55-year-old Citizenship Act into line with modern Australia.

"These further commonsense changes will benefit people who wish to resume their Australian citizenship and regain access to their Australian heritage," Mr Hardgrave said.

"The changes will also mean removal of the age limits for registration of citizenship by descent and give children of former Australian citizens access to their Australian heritage."