You may automatically be an Australian citizen by birth or adoption or, after applying for Australian citizenship, by descent or conferral.
If you are over 16 years at the time you make your application for citizenship by conferral, you will obtain Australian citizenship only after you have made the pledge of commitment and have been issued with evidence of Australian citizenship from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Pre-2005 HECS students can be taken to have met the Australian citizenship requirements if they have had their application for Australian citizenship approved by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.
Note: The prescribed residency requirements for Australian citizenship have changed for persons who became permanent visa holders on or after 1 July 2007.
To confirm your residency status, contact the Citizenship Information Line on 13 18 80.