Australian Citizenship Application Fees to Increase from 1 July 2021
On 24 June 2021, the Department of Home Affairs announced that Australian Citizenship application fees will increase from 1 July 2021.
Why is the Australian Citizenship Fee Increasing?
The Department provides that the increases were made in an effort to accurately reflect the costs involved in processing Australian citizenship applications.
When will the Citizenship fee increase?
The new fees will take effect from 1 July 2021 at 12:00am (Australian Eastern Standard Time).
This means, regardless of when you have started your application, if the Department receives your application and/or payment on or after 1 July 2021, you will be subject to the new fees. It is pertinent to ensure applicants have provided the necessary documents before submitting their applications. Failure to include required documents may result in an incomplete application which may mean having to resubmit the application on or after 1 July 2021 where a new fee would apply.
It is highly recommended that applications be made online as paper applications are at risk of postage times and delays. The date your application form was posted will not be considered in the date that the Department receives your application.
New Fees (as of 1 July 2021) versus Previous Fees
Application for Australian citizenship – General Eligibility
Previously – $285 as a standard fee and $40 for concession.
As of 1 July 2021 - $490 as a standard fee and $70 for concession.
Application for Australian citizenship – other situations
Previously – $180 as a standard fee and $20 for concession.
As of 1 July 2021 – $300 as a standard fee and $35 for concession.
Application for Australian citizenship by descent
Previously – $230 for a single applicant and $95 for a second or subsequent sibling at the same time.
As of 1 July 2021 – $315 for a single applicant and $130 for a second or subsequent sibling at the same time.
Children under the age of 15 who are applying on the same form as a parent remain exempted from application fees. A more comprehensive list of the updated citizenship fees can be found on the Department's Website.
New Foreign Currencies Accepted by the Department and an Update on Exchange Rates for Citizenship Application Fees
The conversion instrument and places and currency instruments have been amended. This means that from 1 July 2021 officers from Home Affairs must now rely on the amended instruments when calculating and assessing the conversions and charges related to application fees in foreign currencies.
What are these instruments and how do they work?
Subregulation 16(2) of the Citizenship Regulation provides that payment of a fee accompanying an application must be made in a currency that is specified in the place and currencies instrument as a currency in which a fee may be paid in that place. For example, the Australian Dollar is the relevant currency to be paid in Australia. The purpose of this instrument is to enable the Department to identify and only accept currencies that are readily and legally accessible to the public and are universally bankable.
The amount payable must then be worked out by using the exchange rate for the currency specified in the conversion instrument. The conversion instrument consists of a table providing the currency and its relevant exchange rate. Assisting overseas Home Affairs officers ensuring that they are able to advise and collect the correct amount in fees from applicants.
The Places and Currencies Instrument
Amended to the Migration (Places and Currencies for Paying of Fees) Instrument (Lin 21/004) 2021 (No.2). Schedule 1 provides a list of updated places and currencies that have been deemed acceptable. For information on which places and currencies are accepted as of 1 July 2021, the outlined list can be found in the places and currencies legislative instrument.
The Conversion Instrument
Amended to the Migration (Payment of Visa Application Charges and Fees in Foreign Currencies) Instrument (LIN 21/003) 2021 (No.2). Schedule 1 provides the updated currencies and their relevant exchange rates. For details on foreign currencies and exchange rates, the detailed table can be found in the conversion legislative instrument.
Transitional Provisions for Evidence Australian Citizenship Applications
For Evidence of Australian citizenship applications, the fee payable for the application is $0 if:
The applicant made an application under section 16 or 19C of the Citizenship Act before 1 July 2021; and
The minister approves the applicant becoming an Australian citizen on or after 1 July 2021; and
The evidence application is made within 1 July 2021 and 6 months after the day on which the Minister approves the applicant becoming an Australian citizen
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help You
If you want to find out more about your eligibility or need advice on your Australian migration matter, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can book a Migration Planning Session with one of our immigration lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02-7200 2700 or email us to book in a time at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Indonesian, Burmese and Malay. If these aren’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
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