NORTHERN Community Legal Centre (Northern CLC) has launched the Citizenship Key Project, an initiative designed to help young people under 18 and their families understand and activate their rights to Australian citizenship.
It says for many young migrants, Australian citizenship is a powerful stepping stone toward a secure and opportunity-rich future. It opens access to HECS-HELP, makes university and TAFE study more affordable, and removes the lengthy Centrelink waiting periods that young people on temporary visas often face. Citizenship also provides greater protection from visa uncertainty and strengthens pathways into education, employment, and full participation in Australian civic life.
“This project ensures young people and their families have the information, support, and confidence they need to secure their future in Australia,” said Chief Executive Officer Jenni Smith.
“Citizenship is more than a legal status, it’s a crucial stepping stone towards stability, belonging and a sense of possibility.”
Across the communities of Hume, Merri-bek and Mitchell Shire, too many young people don’t realise they are eligible to apply for citizenship or discover too late that without citizenship they must pay university fees upfront and are excluded from financial assistance.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer Tania McKenna said this is something that was reported to us by local schools and youth support services as a barrier to young people accessing higher education.
“We also obtained data from the Victorian Government that revealed that more than 4000 young people aged 16 and 17 were enrolled in schools across Merri-bek, Hume and Mitchell Shire who were not Australian citizens but would be eligible for citizenship. As the application process can take some time, we are hoping to reach young people well before they turn 18, so that when leaving school, they are better placed to access higher education opportunities.
“We are currently running education sessions at several schools in the Hume LGA but are hoping to get the word out so that more schools become involved in the project, including schools in Mitchell shire.”
Through this project, Northern CLC will deliver culturally responsive education sessions in youth-friendly settings including schools and youth hubs and provide specialist legal support to help young people safely navigate the application process.
By reaching young people earlier, the Citizenship Key Project helps remove financial and legal barriers that can lead to disengagement from education and limit future opportunities.
For further information on the Citizenship Project or to arrange an information workshop, email admin@northernclc.org.au