The Australian government has unveiled a substantial increase in fees for citizenship applications and passports, effective from July 1, 2024.
This new fee structure will impact various applicants, including permanent residents, adoption cases, and specific foreign applicants.
Starting July 1, 2024, permanent residents, individuals seeking citizenship through adoption, and foreigners applying under specific international agreements will face higher costs. While the adjustments are broad, certain families and groups will benefit from exemptions or minimal fee changes.
The revised fees necessitate careful planning and budgeting for those affected. However, exemptions and minimal fee changes for specific families and groups offer some relief amidst the overall fee hikes.
This move aims to streamline and modernize the application process while ensuring the necessary resources are available to manage the growing number of applications effectively.
The government emphasized that these changes are part of a broader effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Australia’s immigration and citizenship systems.
*New Citizenship Application Fees:*
– Standard (Ages 18 to 59): $560 (up from $540)
– Adoption – First Sibling: $360 (up from $345)
– Adoption – Additional Siblings: $150 (up from $145)
Children under 16 applying on the same form as a responsible parent will not be affected by these fee increases, easing the financial burden on families. Fees for foreign children adopted under the Hague Convention or bilateral arrangements will also rise:
– Single Application/First Sibling: $360
– Second and Subsequent Siblings: $150
Additionally, fees for renouncing and resuming Australian citizenship will increase:
– Renouncing Citizenship: $300
– Resuming Citizenship: $240
In tandem with the citizenship application fee increases, Australians will also face higher costs for obtaining or renewing passports starting July 1, 2024. While the exact details of these increases have not yet been disclosed, they will apply to all passport applications submitted from this date onwards.
The Australian government applies annual indexation to citizenship application fees based on the Consumer Price Index, with adjustments taking effect each year on July 1. For 2024, the updated fees will apply to all citizenship applications received by the Department of Home Affairs from 12:00 am (AEST) on July 1.
For those applying online on or after this date, the new fees will be applicable regardless of when the application process was initiated. An application is considered submitted when it, along with the appropriate fee, is received by the Department of Home Affairs.
