In 2016/17 over 4,000 citizenship applications were refused. Although the majority of applicants do pass the citizenship test on the first attempt, the top reason for a citizenship application refusal is being unable to pass the citizenship test, accounting for 1,866 of applications denied in 2016/17.
Another reason for an application to be rejected is that the Department of Home Affairs is not be able to verify the identity of the applicant. An identify declaration is submitted to the Department as part of an application for citizenship along with a suitable photograph. The declaration must be signed by an existing Australian citizen who is not related to the applicant and who meets other eligibility criteria.
Persons applying to become an Australian citizen have to be of good character and applications for citizenship typically involve a police check. Even minor offences like speeding and running red lights, while not normally included as part of a police check, can impact a citizenship application if the applicant has committed multiple driving offences. Applicants for Australian citizenship may also be required to obtain an overseas penal clearance certificate from countries they have spent time in.
Citizenship applications may be refused on the grounds of that the Department of Immigration and Border Protection determines that an applicant does not intend to remain in Australia or maintain a close or continuing association with Australia. Very few applications are denied for this reason but if the application has significant business or family outside of Australia that requires them to spend a significant amount of time overseas, it may affect their Australian citizenship application.
If citizenship is refused, an applicant can request for it to be reviewed under the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Under certain circumstances Australian citizenship may also be revoked.
What are the benefits of citizenship?
One of the major advantages of citizenship is being able to obtain an Australian passport and freely travel in and out of the country. Permanent residents who want to travel out of Australia and return as a permanent resident must apply for a Resident Return visa if the travel facility on their existing visa has expired. The current costs of a Resident Return visa is $375.
Australian citizens also have the right to vote in elections, and can apply for jobs as public servants and in the defence forces. There may also be additional benefits in terms of accessing free adult education.