Indians Emerge As Largest Group To Get Australian Citizenship

In the financial year 2018-19, 28,470 Indians were granted Australian citizenship. Indians accounted for 22.3% of the total number of people (1.27 lakh) from 200 countries who were granted Australian citizenship.

This statistic made Indians the largest group of people from a single country to obtain Australian citizenship for the second year in a row.

 As compared to statistics from the year 2017-18, the number of people granted Australian citizenship increased by 58% in 2018-19. In doing so, they replaced the UK as the largest group of immigrants to get Australian citizenship.

Number Of Indians Granted Citizenship For Second Consecutive Year

During this time period, while the total number of immigrants being granted citizenship reached a new low, 17,756 Indians obtained Australian citizenship.

Thus, though the number of Indians getting citizenship increased by 60% between 2017-18 and 2018-19, the percentage remained almost the same.

The number of Indian immigrants coming into Australia has also been increasing steadily. India has been the largest source for immigrants to Australia. In 2017-18, 33,310 Indians excluding students migrated to Australia. These Indians constituted 20.5% of the total migrant inflow for the year.

Getting Australian Citizenship

Australian citizenship can be obtained through descent or by conferral. Statistics are typically limited to the latter way of obtaining citizenship. For citizenship by conferral, immigrants must meet specific eligibility and pass a citizenship exam. Children below the age of 17 years and seniors above the age of 60 years are exempt from this exam.

Proposed Changes In Citizenship Rule

In April 2017, a bill was introduced to change existing citizenship rules. The key proposed changes included a more difficult English language test, a strong oath of allegiance and an increase in the duration of time applicants need to have lived in the country as permanent residents to be eligible for citizenship.

Currently, applicants need to stay in the country for 1 year but the new rules would increase this duration to 4 years.

The bill was not passed and old rules stay in play but it did lead to an increase in the number of applications for citizenship.

Also See

• The Australian Citizenship Test – What to Expect
• How to Apply For Australian Permanent Residency
• Why Indian Students Favor Australia For Higher Education
• What Is The Cost Of Living In Australia For Immigrants And International Students?