Australian Citizenship Act 1948

What this law does: This Act is the main rulebook for Australian citizenship. It sets out who is an Australian citizen and how people can become, lose, or resume citizenship.

Four main ways to become a citizen:

• By birth: Generally, if you're born in Australia and one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or you live here for your first 10 years).
• By adoption: If you're adopted by an Australian citizen under Australian law and are a permanent resident at the time.
• By descent: If you're born overseas to an Australian parent, you can register for citizenship (usually must apply before turning 25, and the parent must have spent time in Australia).
• By grant (naturalisation): Permanent residents can apply for citizenship if they meet requirements including living in Australia for specific periods, being of "good character," speaking basic English, and understanding citizenship responsibilities. Most adults must make a "pledge of commitment" at a ceremony.

Losing citizenship: You can lose citizenship by:

• Renouncing it: Giving it up voluntarily (usually because you want to become a citizen of another country).
• Deprivation: The Minister can strip citizenship from someone who obtained it through fraud or who is convicted of serious crimes (including people smuggling or offences punished by 12+ months in prison), provided it's in the public interest.