Born in Australia

A child born in Australia is a citizen at birth only if a parent is a citizen or permanent resident. Otherwise the child becomes a citizen on their 10th birthday if they have lived most of their life in Australia.

Passport127 visa-freeof 218 countriesPapers ready inAbout 3–9 weeksafter the birthDual citizenshipAllowedKeeps yours tooHealth care89/100

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Who qualifies:At the birth, at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

For your baby

Citizen from birthA Australia passport of their own
127 countries visa-freeof 218 countries
Keeps your citizenship tooAustralia allows dual citizenship
Free to live, study and workIn Australia, for life

Australian citizen by birth - Department of Home Affairs Australian Citizenship Act 2007 - Federal Register of Legislation Australian Citizenship Act 2007, s.12 · checked Nov 3, 2026

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Whether having your baby in Australia gives you residence or a faster route to citizenship.

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How to start

Baby's papers ready: about 3–9 weeks after the birth

1
Get to Australia legallySign in to see the visa your passport needs.Prepare your Visitor visa (subclass 600) – Tourist stream (apply outside Australia), with ETA (subclass 601) and eVisitor (subclass 651) for eligible passports application Most parents stay about 3 months: airlines limit late-pregnancy flights.
2
Register the birthState or territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (e.g. NSW Registry), within 60 days (NSW).Official source About 21 daysNSW: a standard certificate ordered with the birth registration takes up to 3 weeks online (up to 4 weeks via Service NSW, up to 5 by post), plus 5 to 7 days postage.Official source
3
Get the baby's passportApply with the birth certificate to Australia's passport office. About 1–6 weeksAllow at least 6 weeks for a child passport. Priority processing (A$308 extra) is 2 business days after a complete application is received, only with full parental consent; lodging and postage add time (up to about 11 business days total).Official source
4
Pass on your own citizenship
- Australia allows dual citizenship: the baby can hold both.