Repatriation Guide

AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP

Resuming Australian Citizenship

If you lost your Australian citizenship by becoming a citizen of another country prior to April 4, 2002, you may be eligible to resume Australian citizenship. 

You are eligible to resume your Australian citizenship if you: 
   - did not know that you would lose Australian citizenship
Or meet all of the following requirements: 
   - you would have suffered significant hardship or detriment had you not acquired the other citizenship
   - you intend to commence residing in Australia within three years 
   - you have been lawfully resident in Australia for a total of at least two years at some time
   - you have maintained a close and continuing association with Australia you are of good character.

For further information and to download application forms, go to http://www.citizenship.gov.au/australians-os/families/resuming-au-citz.htm

Australian Citizenship for Spouses & Children Adopted Overseas

Spouses of Australian citizens, whether legally married or in a de facto relationship, do not have an automatic right to Australian citizenship. To be eligible for Australian citizenship, the spouse of an Australian citizen must be a permanent resident of Australia. Policy requires that spouses also satisfy the requirements applicable to other adult applicants. There are some exceptions to the residence requirements for spouses.
See: Form 1027i How to apply for grant of Australian citizenship

Australian Citizenship for Descendents

You are eligible to apply to become an Australian citizen by descent if you meet the following three requirements: 
   - one of your natural parents was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth 
   - you are under 25 years of age OR were born between 26 January 1949 and 15 January 1974 
   - you are of good character if you are over 18

For more information and downloadable application forms, go to: http://www.citizenship.gov.au/australians-os/families/by-descent.htm

EDUCATION

Primary & Secondary Schools - Government

School term dates in Australia vary by state. Exact dates of terms and holidays can be found on the Department of Education, Science and Training’s (DEST) website for each state:

Australian Capital Territory Term Dates 
New South Wales Term Dates 
Northern Territory Term Dates 
Queensland Term Dates 
South Australia Term Dates 
Tasmania Term Dates 
Victoria Term Dates 
Western Australia Term Dates

For lists of Government schools, you need to access each individual state’s education website:

ACT Department of Education and Community Services 
NSW Department of Education and Training 
Northern Territory Department of Education 
Education Queensland 
South Australian Department of Education and Children’s Services 
Tasmanian Department of Education 
Victorian Department of Education and Training 
Education Department of Western Australia

Non-Government Schools

Non-government school term dates often vary from Government school dates. For a comprehensive list of non-government schools in Australia, visit the Internet Schools Directory http://www.isd.com.au/ For a more descriptive listing of each school and links to individual websites, try http://www.nationwide.com.au/frontpage/schools/index.html

Higher Education

For a list of accredited higher education institutions and information about applying for positions, fee schedules, the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS), student loans, scholarships and other resources, visit the Higher Education page on the DEST website at http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/Main/CoursesAndProviders/ProvidersAndCourses/HigherEducationProviders/Default.htm 

HEALTH CARE

Medicare

Medicare, Australia’s national health insurance system is available to people who reside in Australia if they satisfy one of the following criteria:
   - hold Australian citizenship
   - have been issued with a permanent visa
   - hold New Zealand citizenship 
   - have applied for a permanent visa

You will need to provide documents to support your residency in Australia or your severing of ties with the previous country of residence if:
   - you are an Australian citizen returning to Australia to reside after living overseas for more than five years 
   - you are a New Zealand citizen requesting enrolment as a permanent resident

Documents to confirm residency could include:
- property sale/purchase agreements
- lease agreements
- employment contracts
- bank accounts
- private health insurance

You will can enroll in Medicare by completing the enrolment form and lodging it at your local Medicare office. For more information and to download application forms, go to: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/yourhealth/our_services/am.htm

Private Health Insurance

In addition to Medicare, many Australians also have private health insurance. If you annual income is in excess of $50,000 (single) or $100,000 (couple) and you don’t have an appropriate level of private health insurance, you will be charged a Medicare Levy Surcharge, which amounts to 1% of your income (in addition to the 1.5% Medicare Levy that everyone is required to pay). The surcharge is administered by the Australian Taxation Office which can be contacted on 13 28 61. 

The Private Health Insurance Administration Council (PHIAC) Web site details all registered health funds within each State. It also provides contact details for each fund and, if they have a web site, a link to each fund's website.

For more information about private health insurance in Australia and how it interacts with Medicare, visit the Department of Health and Ageing’s Web site at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/private-1

To compare and contrast Australian health insurance plans, you can use iSelect to search by best plans, immediate benefit coverage, basic cover and “cheapest cover to avoid government penalties”. Go to http://www.iselect.com.au