Australia - flag Australia - Passport & Nationality - British Nationality for an Australian

Both Australia and the United Kingdom allow Dual Nationality. This means that a person can hold nationality (and the passport) of both countries.

How can you claim British Nationality as an Australian and qualify to get a British Passport? You are eligible if the following criteria apply:

  • You were BORN IN THE UK* (or Northern Ireland) before 1983. You will have been classified as British Otherwise than by Descent, can hold a British Passport, and can pass British Nationality to your children, irrespective of where these children are born. Read more about British Nationality by Birth.
  • You have a PARENT* (a father or mother) who was Naturalised in the UK before your birth, or who was born in the UK (or Northern Ireland) before 1983. Your parent will have been classified as British Otherwise than by Descent, hold a British Passport, and they can pass British Nationality to their children, irrespective of where these children are born. Read more about British Nationality by Descent.

* It gets more complicated if:

As an Australian citizen, you are eligible for the following WORKING VISAS in the UK:

  • UK Work Permit, if you have a job offer in the UK or specific skills that are in demand in the UK.

How do I find out if I have a claim to British Nationality?

We suggest following our 4 STEP PROCESS, designed to simplify the complex laws of British nationality and to avoid unnecessary and expensive application fees, to find your answer:

Step 1: Determine whether you have a Standard Route (birth in the UK before 1983, or a parent born in the UK before 1983)
Step 2: If not, complete our free Nationality Assessment
Step 3: Order a free Status Trace
Step 4: Conduct a Citizenship Report

Status of AUSTRALIA

  • Up until 31.12.1900, Australia was within the British Crown Dominions as separate colonies.
  • Between 01.01.1901 and 31.12.1948, it fell within the Crown’s Dominions as a federal Commonwealth country.
  • From 01.01.1949 until the present day, it was an independent Commonwealth country.

Christmas Island

  • Up until 31.12.1948, Christmas Island came within the British Crown Dominions.
  • Between 01.01.1949 and 31.12.1957, it fell within the UK and Colonies as part of the Colony of Singapore.
  • From 01.01.1958 until 30.09.1958, it was within the UK and Colonies as a separate Crown Colony. Click here for more information on the status of Citizen of the United Kingdom & Colonies (CUKC), a status achieved by birth in the Colony.
  • From 01.10.1958, it was part of Australia.

Cocos & Keeling Islands

  • Up until 31.12.1948, these islands were part of the British Crown Dominions.
  • Between 01.01.1949 and 22.11.1955, they fell part of the UK and Colonies as part of the Colony of Singapore.
  • From 23.11.1955 until the present day, it is part of Australia.

Papua

  • From 1888 until 1906, Papua was part of the British Crown Dominions.
  • Thereafter, it was part of Australia until it combined with New Guinea on 15.09.1975 to form Papua New Guinea.
  • From 16.09.1975 until 30.01.1980 (after independence), it was a foreign country known as Papua New Guinea.
  • From 31.01.1980 until the present day, it was an independent Commonwealth country.

New Guinea

  • From 17.12.1920 until 12.12.1946, New Guinea was an Australian mandated territory in which the Crown exercised extra-territorial jurisdiction.
  • Between 13.12.1946 and 15.09.1975, it was an Australian Trust Territory in which the Crown exercised extra-territorial jurisdiction.
  • From 16.09.1975 until 30.01.1980 (after independence), it was a foreign country known as Papua New Guinea.
  • From 31.01.1980 until the present day, it was an independent Commonwealth country.
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Ask Philip Gamble whether you (or your children) have a claim to British nationality.

ASK PHILIP GAMBLE NOW!
Learn more about these routes to British Nationality:

WhatPassport.com is a specialist UK Nationality and British Citizenship site offering an online search and assessment. Claims to hold a British Passport can be complex and the site offers a quick, simple search to give you the answers. While many people qualify for the UK Ancestry Visa based on holding a Commonwealth passport with a UK born grandmother or grandfather, we have found that if you have a grandparent born in the UK, or if your mother is British or your father is British, then there are several scenarios where you can claim British Nationality and the right to hold a British Passport. This stems from Britain’s collection of British Colonies, British Protectorates and British Protected States in the middle of last century and the Nationality rules concerning what are now the countries of the Commonwealth.

WhatPassport.com is a subsidiary of Sable International.

Sable International offers a range of services relating to UK and Australian immigration. For over 20 years, we have been helping people with their UK and Australian visa applications. We assist with applications for Ancestry visas, spouse visas, work visas, Tier 1 visas, UK working holiday visas, UK dependant visas, Tier 4 visas, UK Visitor visas, sponsorship visas or UK permanent residency or indefinite leave to remain. We also specialise in UK visa extensions. If you’ve overstayed your visa, our Overstayer Status Trace service can assist to regularise your visa status.