- Home
- About us
- Visas and migration
- Travelling to Australia
- Services for Australians
- Doing business with Australia
- Study in Australia
- Development cooperation
- Media
- About Australia
- Australia-Malta relationship
- Events
Resumption of Australian Citizenship - Q & A
I am a former citizen who renounced my Australian citizenship so that I could retain my Maltese citizenship. Will I be able to resume my Australian citizenship?
Yes, if you are of good character.
When will I be able to resume my Australian citizenship?
You may make an application to resume your citizenship after 1 July 2007.
Where can I obtain an application form?
Application form 132 (design date 10/07) may be downloaded from www.citizenship.gov.au
How much will it cost?
The application fee for resumption of citizenship is $AUD65.00.
Payment should be by bank cheque (payable to the ‘Department of Immigration and Citizenship’) or credit card. It must be in Australian dollars. An authorisation for credit card payments is included in the application form.
Where do I make an application?
Applications are processed in Canberra and completed application forms can be sent with fee payment and supporting documents to:
By Post:
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Citizenship Section
PO Box 717
Canberra 2601
AUSTRALIA
By Courier:
Citizenship Services
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
3 Lonsdale Street
Braddon ACT 2612
AUSTRALIA
The Australian High Commission in Malta does not accept applications.
Will anybody be able to give me information on how to apply?
There is information on the website at www.citizenship.gov.au. Further information can be obtained from the Australian High Commission in Malta.
How long will it take for the application to be approved?
The processing of an application for resumption of Australian citizenship usually takes about three months from the date of its receipt by the Department. You will be sent a letter advising whether your application has been approved or refused.
If your application is approved you will become an Australian citizen on the day of approval and you will be issued with evidence of your Australian citizenship. The Australian High Commission in Malta will advise you when your certificate is ready for collection.
How can I find out about my application after lodgement?
Post lodgement enquiries should be directed to: actro.citizenship.dima@immi.gov.au. Alternatively you can enquire by telephone at: +61 2 6274 9669.
What documents do I need for my application?
The following documents will be required to support an application:
- an endorsed passport size photograph – for full details on photograph requirements see below.
- passport held, if any - original passport and copy of the personal particulars page. Applicants who do not have a passport are required to submit their National ID card.
- a police certificate from all countries you have lived in for more than 12 months (except Australia) since the age of 16. Information about how to obtain police certificates is available in the form 47P which is available on www.immi.gov.au/allforms/.
- If applicable, official evidence of any name change. Applicants who are resident overseas can provide overseas marriage certificates as acceptable evidence of a change of name.
We suggest you also provide the following documents:
- Evidence of former possession of Australian citizenship, eg. Full birth certificate if born in Australia, or Australian citizenship certificate.
- Evidence of acquisition of foreign citizenship, for example, naturalisation certificate or a statement from the authorities of the other country stating how and when the applicant acquired the citizenship of that country.
Do I need to send my original documents with my application?
If the copies of your documents have been certified by an Australian Consular Officer or Diplomatic Officer (see number 1. on list below), you need only send the certified copies with your application. A fee is payable for each document certified at the Australian High Commission
If you choose not to provide certified copies with your application, you will need to send the original document plus a photocopy, which will be certified by an officer in Australia. The original will be returned to you once your application is finalised.
The Department will accept any combination of originals and certified in accordance with the above guidelines - for example, you may choose to have a copy of your passport certified at the High Commission, but send originals and photocopies of other required documents.
If documents are not in English, an official translation by a Foreign Office accredited translator (including original and certified copies) must also be provided.
How do I obtain a police certificate in Malta?
You can apply in person to the General Police Headquarters in Floriana for a “Certificate of Good Conduct”. You will need to provide a valid passport, if you have one. If you do not have a valid passport you will need to provide your National Identity card.
What are the photograph requirements?
All applications must be accompanied by an endorsed photograph. The photograph should be a passport sized colour photograph that is no more than 6 months old. The photograph must be a full front view of the your head and shoulders without any head covering or tinted glasses. If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, a photograph that shows your facial features will be accepted. If you normally wear prescription glasses, then glasses with untinted lens should be worn in the photograph. The photograph must have a plain, light coloured background. The Department will not accept a poor quality photograph or a laser print.
The photograph must be signed on the back by an Australian citizen or if you do not know an Australian citizen, a Maltese/other citizen who is employed in one of the occupational groups listed below and who has known you for at least 12 months. This person must not be related to you. The photograph must also be inscribed with ‘This is a true photograph of (your name in full)’.
Who can sign the photograph?
The person signing the photograph must belong to one of the occupations listed below.
1. Australian Consular Officer or Australian Diplomatic Officer (within the meaning of the Consular Fees Act 1955)
2. Bailiff
3. Bank officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
4. Building society officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
5. Chiropractor (licensed or registered)
6. Clerk of court
7. Commissioner for Affidavits
8. Commissioner for Declarations
9. Credit union officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
10. Dentist (licensed or registered)
11. Fellow of the National Tax Accountant’s Association
12. Finance company officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
13. Judge of a court
14. Justice of the peace
15. Legal practitioner (licensed or registered)
16. Magistrate
17. Marriage celebrant licensed or registered under Subdivision C of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961
18. Master of a court
19. Medical practitioner (licensed or registered)
20. Member of Chartered Secretaries Australia
21. Member of Engineers Australia, other than at the grade of student
22. Member of the Association of Taxation and Management Accountants
23. Member of the Australian Defence Force with 5 or more years of continuous service
24. Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants or the National Institute of Accountants
25. Member of the Parliament of the Commonwealth, a State, a Territory Legislature, or a local government authority of a State or Territory
26. Minister of religion licensed or registered under Subdivision A of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961
27. Nurse (licensed or registered)
28. Optometrist (licensed or registered)
29. Permanent employee of Commonwealth, State or local government authority with at least 5 or more years of continuous service.
30. Permanent employee of the Australian Postal Corporation with 5 or more years of continuous service
31. Pharmacist (licensed or registered)
32. Physiotherapist (licensed or registered)
33. Police officer
34. Psychologist (licensed or registered)
35. Registrar, or Deputy Registrar, of a court
36. Sheriff
37. Teacher employed on a full-time basis
38. Veterinary surgeon (licensed or registered)