Citizenship for Children
For the purposes of Evidence of Citizenship, the main focus will be on children born in Australia to *New Zealand parents who were subclass TY444 visa holders at the time of their child’s birth. A child born to TY444 New Zealand citizen parents is an Australian citizen if they were either:
- Born in Australia and lived in Australia for the first 10 years of their life from 0 to the day of their 10th birthday, or
- Born in Australia and either of their New Zealand parents were/are recognised as Eligible New Zealand citizens otherwise known as ‘Protected SCV’ holders at the time of the child’s birth, or
- If a child is born in Australia to a New Zealand citizen parent and the other parent is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or Eligible New Zealand citizen, they are an Australian citizen at birth, or
- If a child is born in Australia to New Zealand parents between the 1st September 1994 and the 26th February 2001, they are Australian citizens at birth, or
- If a child was born in Australia to New Zealand parents up to the 19th August 1986, they are Australian citizens at birth, or
- If a child were born to New Zealand parents between the 19th August 1986 and the 31st August 1994, they would have had to live in Australia for the first 10 years of their life. Then they would have been automatically granted Australian citizenship on their 10th birthday.
Note: Children subject to the 10 year rule are not restricted from applying for citizenship if they travelled overseas for short holidays or trips between the ages of 0 and 10 years of age. Careful consideration and advice should be sought for children who were overseas for prolonged periods of time.