Mrs T

I obtained Australian citizenship through descent in July 2021 and haven’t yet applied for an Australian passport. I don’t need one for the time being but wondered is there a cut off for applying or can I wait for an indefinite period.

I lodged my application from Ireland on 15th May and received by Australian citizenship on 15th July. Very straightforward process no doubt helped by my mum having held onto every Australian passport she has ever possessed. This came in handy when I was asked to provide a record of her movements since she left Outer Harbour in Adelaide by ship in 1961. Can’t quite believe I’m an Australian citizen after all these years, especially after having been refused for being 10 points short when I was 18. No plans to move over there as I’m happy with my lot here in Ireland but with 3 teenage children you never know what might happen in the future.

Thanks WRussell, I’ll approach my Superintendent first. You’ve probably saved me a phone call to the Australian Embassy.

I am applying for citizenship by descent and have recently received the following from the Department of Home Affairs. If you were over 18 years of age on the day you submitted your application, please provide acceptable penal clearances for all countries where you have spent a total of 90 days or more (cumulatively). More information can be found on the Offices Outside Australia page of our website. Select the country from the drop down at the bottom of the page and then read the information under Police Check for the country selected. As I live in Ireland the above link directs you to the Garda Vetting Bureau whom I contacted. This is the reply I received from them: Vetting through the Garda National Vetting Bureau is only done through Registered Organisations that are based in the Republic of Ireland for Jobs/Activities that are relevant under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Adults) Acts 2012 – 2016. It has nothing to do with “personal reasons”. We don’t vet penal clearance for Australian Passport applications. Garda vetting also said the police certificate of character is not appropriate either as I am applying for a passport not a visa. They have told me to contact the Australian Embassy for further advice which I intend to do next week but in the meantime thought I would check on here to see if someone might be able to advise. What other form of penal clearance is there? The irony here - I work for An Garda Siochana!

Thank you so much Quoll, that’s very helpful.

Thanks for the replies. Mum was born in Adelaide in 1934 and still holds only an Australian passport. Both her parents were also born in Australia. Another question if I may - if my children (19, 17 & 14) wanted to live and work in Australia in the future would it be any advantage to them if I had an Australian passport?

My mum was born in Australia. I applied to emigrate many many years ago as a 19 year old but was unsuccessful as was 10 points short. Chatting to a friend recently she told me that the rules had change and I would be eligible under citizenship by descent. I’m just curious if this is the case. I’m now in my 50’s and my mum is still alive and well and living in London.