Australian Citizen vs Permanent Resident: What’s the Difference?

An Australian permanent resident and an Australian citizen are not the same. Whilst a permanent resident can enjoy a great deal of freedom, there are some things you can only do as an Australian citizen. In this blog, we explore the key differences between these two statuses as well as the additional responsibilities of being an Australian citizen.

Who is an Australian Permanent Resident?

An Australian permanent resident is someone who holds a permanent valid visa, such as a skilled nominated visa (subclass 190), a skilled independent visa (subclass 189), or an employer nomination visa (subclass 186). A permanent resident can live, work, and study in Australia without any restrictions. 

Who is an Australian Citizen?

An Australian citizen is a formally recognised member of the Australian community. The government grants Australian citizens certain rights and privileges, such as Centrelink payments and an Australian passport. In return, Australian citizens have several responsibilities and expectations to uphold.

Australian citizenship can be acquired automatically or through application. Any person born in Australia or overseas to at least one Australian parent is automatically an Australian citizen. If a child is born in Australia to non-citizen parents and lives most of their life in Australia, they will also automatically become an Australian citizen at age ten. If a non-Australian citizen would like to become an Australian citizen, they will need to meet specific requirements before applying for Australian citizenship.

Australian Citizen vs Permanent Resident

Although permanent residents have most of the same rights and entitlements as Australian citizens, there are some differences. The table below summarises the different rights and privileges of permanent residents and Australian citizens:

Responsibilities of an Australian Citizen

For many visa holders, becoming an Australian citizen is an important step in their migration journey. It also marks the beginning of your formal membership and acceptance into the Australian community. 

Although being an Australian citizen has many privileges, it also comes with certain responsibilities. Australian citizens have an ongoing commitment to Australia and the values that the country stands for. This means that you will have the following responsibilities:

• To obey Australian laws.
• To defend Australia if the need arises.
• To enrol to vote in federal and state/territory elections.
• To vote in federal and state/territory elections.

Applying for Permanent Residency and Australian Citizenship

To apply for permanent residency, you will need to meet several requirements, including:

• Achieve the required score in an approved English language test. 
• Meet the Australian government’s character and health requirements.
• Reach a minimum collective score of 65 points.

The more points you have, the better your chances are of becoming a permanent resident. You can increase points for Australian permanent residency in many areas, including English language skills, educational qualifications, and skilled employment experience.

To become an Australian citizen, you will need to meet certain criteria and apply under one of the following pathways:

• Australian citizenship by birth.
• Australian citizenship by descent.
• Australian citizenship by adoption.
• Australian citizenship by conferral.

For many visa holders, citizenship by conferral is the most common way to become an Australian citizen. To apply for citizenship by conferral, you must be a permanent resident for at least twelve months and have lived in Australia on a valid visa for the past four years. If you are under 60 years old, you are also required to sit a citizenship test.

Applying for permanent residency or Australian citizenship can be complex. Sometimes, there are even reasons for rejection. If you are a visa holder seeking to apply, it is crucial you seek expert advice and assistance in relation to your application. To have the best chance of success, contact us at AustraliaMigrate today and speak with one of our experienced immigration agents.