Australian has clarified the category of foreign nationals who may qualify for a reduced fee when applying for Australian citizenship by conferral.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the concession is available to applicants who hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Australian government.
However, not every foreign national or holder of a concession-related card automatically qualifies for the discounted citizenship fee. Applicants must meet specific conditions before they can access the concession.
To qualify, the Pensioner Concession Card must be valid and unexpired and must have been issued by the Australian government through either Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The applicant’s name must also appear on the card as the principal cardholder.
The concession also extends to certain dependants. A person aged 17 or younger who is listed as a dependant on a valid Pensioner Concession Card may qualify for the reduced fee.
The Australian Government has also made it clear that other cards cannot be used to claim the citizenship fee concession. Health Care Cards, Student Cards and Senior Health Cards do not meet the requirements for the discount.
Children aged 15 or younger who apply for Australian citizenship on the same application form as their parent or responsible parent are also exempt from paying an application fee.
This exemption is separate from the Pensioner Concession Card concession.
Eligible applicants applying online are required to provide a scanned copy of both sides of their valid Pensioner Concession Card as evidence of their eligibility. Applicants submitting paper applications must provide certified copies of both sides of the card.
The citizenship application fees are reviewed annually, with changes generally taking effect from July 1 each year. Applicants are therefore advised to check the latest fee schedule before submitting their applications.
The reduced fee does not, however, mean that an applicant is automatically entitled to Australian citizenship.
Foreign nationals seeking citizenship by conferral must still meet the relevant requirements established by the Department of Home Affairs.
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These include applicable residence requirements, identity requirements and character requirements.
Applicants may also be required to attend a citizenship appointment and complete the Australian citizenship test, depending on their circumstances.
The fee concession therefore only reduces the cost of submitting an eligible citizenship application. It does not remove the immigration and citizenship requirements applicants must satisfy before they can become Australian citizens.
Prospective applicants are advised to carefully confirm their eligibility, ensure their Pensioner Concession Card remains valid and provide the required evidence when submitting their citizenship application.
