As of December 2024, those who are applying for Australian citizenship under the conferral stream need not submit the Form 1195 during their application. Instead, those applying for Australian citizenship by descent, or evidence of Australian citizenship will need to complete Form 1195.
The citizenship by conferral allows Australian permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens to become an Australian citizen. If they meet the general eligibility criteria, and certain residence requirements, and character requirements, they can make an application for citizenship by conferral.
On the other hand, as the name suggests, citizenship by descent is applicable for people who were born outside Australia, but either one or both of their parents was an Australian citizen at the time of their birth.
Previously, Form 1195 was required as an identification form during citizenship applications, including Australian citizenship application by conferral. This verification of identity is important for the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to make a decision on the application. Without identity verification, the Department would not have sufficient information to make an accurate decision.
However, as mentioned, as of 2024, this form is not required for citizenship by conferral applications anymore. Note that this requirement can change next year, so it is important to check the Department’s website for any relevant updates.
Form 1195
For applicants who need to fill the form 1195, there are important points to consider. For example, the applicant will require someone to endorse and sign their Form 1195.
This person must have known the applicant for at least one year and must be an Australian citizen. Furthermore, this person cannot be related to the applicant and should be easily contactable by the Department during regular working hours.
Importantly, the person who endorses the applicant has to belong to one of the professions listed below:
| Australian Consular Officer or Australian Diplomatic Officer | Bailiff |
| Bank Officer with 5 or more years of continuous service | Building society with 5 or more years of continuous service |
| Chiropractor (licensed or registered) | Clerk of court |
| Commissioner for Affidavits | Commissioner for Declarations |
| Credit union officer with 5 or more years of continuous service | Dentist (licensed or registered) |
| Fellow of National Tax Accountant’s Association | Finance company officer with 5 or more years of continuous service |
| Judge of a court | Justice of the peace |
| Legal practitioner (licensed or registered) | Magistrate |
| Marriage celebrant licensed or registered under the Marriage Act | Master of a court |
| Member of Chartered Secretaries Australia | Medical practitioner (licensed or registered) |
| Member of Engineers Australia, other than at the grade of student | Member of the Association of Taxation and Management Accountants |
| Member of the Australian Defence Force with 5 or more years of continuous service | Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants or the Institute of Public Accountants |
| Member of the Parliament of the Commonwealth, a state, a territory Legislature, or a local government authority of a state or territory | Minister of religion licensed or registered under the Marriage Act 1961 |
| Nurse (licensed or registered) | Optometrist (licensed or registered) |
| Permanent employee of Commonwealth, state or local government authority with at least 5 or more years of continuous service | Permanent employee of the Australian Postal Corporation with 5 or more years of continuous service |
| Pharmacist (licensed or registered) | Physiotherapist (licensed or registered) |
| Police officer | Psychologist (licensed or registered) |
| Registered migration agent (where registration is not suspended or subject to a caution) | Registrar or Deputy Registrar of a court |
| Sheriff | Teacher employed on a full-time basis at a school or tertiary education institution |
| Veterinary surgeon (licensed or registered) |
For those looking to apply for citizenship in Australia, immigration lawyers can provide necessary legal guidance and advice. For complex applications, it is better to seek legal guidance from immigration solicitors.
