Children and Australian Citizenship: Under 16, 16 and 17

If you are applying for Australian citizenship as a family, the rules for your children depend on their age. The key line is 16: younger children can be added to your application, while older teenagers apply on their own.

Children under 16 on your application

You can include a dependent child aged 15 or younger in your own citizenship application. There is no fee for a child included on the same form as the responsible parent. Children under 16 do not need to meet the general residence requirement, but they must be permanent residents.

Becoming citizens at the same time

A child under 16 who is included on your application becomes an Australian citizen at the same time as you. Children under 16 do not have to attend the citizenship ceremony themselves; only people who were 16 or older when they applied must attend and make the pledge.

16- and 17-year-olds apply on their own

A dependent child aged 16 or 17 cannot be included on your application. They must lodge their own application. They also must attend a ceremony and make the pledge, because they were 16 or older when they applied. Their application uses Form 1290, which costs $365 AUD, or $40 AUD with a concession (Form 1298i, design date 07/26).

No test, but possibly an interview

Applicants aged 17 or younger when they apply do not sit the citizenship test. Instead they may have an interview so Home Affairs can confirm their identity and ask about the application. Applicants aged 16 or 17 may need to show a basic knowledge of the English language at that interview.

Children at the ceremony

Children under 16 do not have to attend the ceremony or make the pledge, but they are welcome to do so. They also do not need photo ID at the ceremony. Your invitation tells you whether you can bring guests and how many, and any children who come along should be well supervised.

A practical note for test day

If you sit the test yourself, plan childcare in advance: children are not permitted in the test centre, and Home Affairs does not have childcare facilities at its centres.