1

Completed and signed current Application Form 118. Please note that we cannot accept old forms. The current form can be found at the link below:

See: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/118.pdf

Please ensure the application form is signed and dated.

Email is our preferred method of communication. So we may contact you more quickly clients with an email address should provide it on their application form.
 

2

Application charge. The London office can only accept pounds sterling. Card payments will be charged in pounds sterling. Your application will be receipted the same day it is received at the London office. Information regarding the current application charge and acceptable payment methods for London can be found at the link below.

See: Application charges (fees)

There is a lower application charge for an additional sibling, where the applications are sent together (in the same envelope).
 

A quick way for you to check that the London office has received your application is to check whether your bank account/credit card has been debited the application fee.
 

3

Provide an endorsed passport photograph. Please staple this photograph to the top right hand corner of the application form to avoid it becoming lost.

Note: Only a person who knows the child can endorse the photo and provide the 'Witness Declaration' on the application form. They must belong to one of the 38 professions detailed on the application form, and be either an Australian citizen or a citizen of the country where the applicant resides. They must also complete the 'Proof of Identity' section on the application form.
 

4

Provide the applicants full length birth certificate. A full length birth certificate is one that states both parents' names. Only birth certificates that state both parents' names are acceptable.

Birth certificates not in the English language must be translated into English by an accredited translator. Multilingual birth certificates that include English are acceptable and do not require translation.

For some countries there are specific requirements in regard to identity and citizenship documents. To ensure your documents are acceptable for Australian citizenship purposes please click the Document Guide link below. If your country is not listed there are no specific requirements.

See: Document Guide
 

5

Provide proof of one parents' Australian Citizenship, for example one of the following documents:

• Australian Birth certificate, or
• Australian passport, or
• Australian Citizenship certificate.
 

Australian parent name change: If the name on the proof of the parents' Australian Citizenship is different to the name on the child's birth certificate, or is spelt differently, official evidence of the name change must be provided. For example a marriage certificate or change of name by deed poll. If no official evidence can be provided, a statement explaining the inconsistency between the names must be provided.

For some countries there are specific requirements in regard to identity and citizenship documents. To ensure your documents are acceptable for Australian citizenship purposes please click the Document Guide link below. If your country is not listed there are no specific requirements.

See: Document Guide
 

6

If the parent holds citizenship of another country we require documentary evidence of the date and method of acquisition of the Australian parent's foreign citizenship. For example a full birth certificate giving details of both parents and/or foreign citizenship certificate. Please note that a foreign passport is not acceptable evidence as it does not provide the above information.

For some countries there are specific requirements in regard to identity and citizenship documents. To ensure your documents are acceptable for Australian citizenship purposes please click the Document Guide link below. If your country is not listed there are no specific requirements.

See: Document Guide
 

7

Provide evidence of your current residential address, for example one of the following:

• utilities bill such as gas, electricity or water; or  
• residential lease or rental agreement; or 
• council or municipal rates notice; or  
• bank statement.

8

You must provide either:

• the original of any official document, plus a photocopy of each document (original documents will be returned to you via registered post); or
• certified copies of any official document.
 

A certified copy is a photocopy of an original document that bears a declaration and signature certifying that the copy is a true copy of the original. 

An example of typical wording a certifier can use is, "I certify this to be a true copy of the original".

In addition, the certifier must sight the original document and include the following:

• Date
• Name
• Profession and
• Stamp and/ or position number if applicable.
 

Copies of original documents can be certified by the same person endorsing the photograph and completing the 'Proof of Identity' section or anyone who belongs to the list of 38 occupations detailed on the application form, this list may also be found at the link below:

List of occupations able to certify documents for citizenship purposes.

Note: In some countries local laws only permit certain professions to certify documents (and they may not permit the list of 38 occupations to certify). Further, if you intend to use the certified documents in support of an Australian passport application you should ensure that the documents are certified by an official whose occupation is also accepted by the Australian Passport Office.

 

9

Provide an English translation of all official documents not in the English language. The translation must be undertaken by an accredited translator.
Bilingual/multilingual documents in the English language are acceptable without translation. 

Note: If you intend to use the translated documents in support of an Australian passport application you should ensure that the documents are translated by an official whose accreditation is accepted by the Australian Passport Office.
 

10

If the applicant is over 18 years of age penal clearance certificates must be provided.

See: Character Information
 

note

If you do not provide the documentation requested above your application will be delayed. To reduce delays, please ensure that you have included the required documents. In some cases additional information or documents may be required. Your case officer will contact you and ask you for more information and/or additional documents.

sending your application
 

Send your application and supporting documents to:

Migration Branch
Australian High Commission
Strand
London
WC2B 4LA
United Kingdom

We recommend all passports and valuable documents are sent to us by registered mail to ensure the mail can be tracked (clients in the UK are encouraged to use 'Special Delivery' and clients in Ireland 'Registered Post').
 

processing times

For UK and Irish resident clients: You will receive a response from your case officer within 10 working days of receipt of your application.

For non UK and Irish resident clients: You will receive a response from your case officer within 20 working days of receipt of your application (this is to take into account the various international postal services).

To assist the London office in communicating with you earlier and processing your application as quickly as possible, clients are strongly encouraged to include email contact details on the application form. Clients who provide an email address and elect to be contacted by email, will experience shorter processing times as any follow up enquiries we may have can be dealt with quickly.

A case officer will make an initial assessment of your application within five working days of the London office receipting the application. If the application is ‘complete' (meaning that it includes all supporting documents, the application form has been completed correctly, signed and the correct fee paid) the case officer may be able to make a decision on the application immediately. If however, the application is incomplete and we request further information, this will lengthen the processing time of the application.
 

enquiries

You can send your enquiry by completing our online enquiry form and we will endeavour to answer your enquiry within two working days.

Email: Immigration Enquiry Form

Alternatively you can telephone the London Service Centre on +44 20 7856 1563.

For non UK clients, please do not contact your local Australian mission as they are unable to provide you with any information about the progress of your application. Please forward any inquiries in relation to your application to the London office (as detailed above).