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The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and Paralympics Australia have welcomed today’s introduction of the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment to the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 by the Commonwealth Minister for Home Affairs, The Hon Tony Burke MP.
The amendment will ensure that athletes and coaches who are permanent residents of Australia — and who train or compete overseas as part of their elite sporting commitments — will not be disadvantaged in their pathway to becoming Australian citizens.
The change follows a request from the AOC during a recent meeting with Minister Burke, where the issue was raised on behalf of athletes who, despite representing Australia internationally, have faced barriers to citizenship due to time spent training and competing abroad.
AOC Chief Executive Officer Mark Arbib said the announcement represents a fair and sensible outcome for athletes and coaches who already embody Australian values and proudly compete for the nation.
“We thank Minister Burke and the Albanese Government for recognising the unique circumstances of our athletes and coaches,” Mr Arbib said.
“At present, some of our permanent resident athletes and coaches are unable to qualify for citizenship simply because their training or competition takes place overseas. The only way they could meet the requirement would be to give up on their Olympic or Paralympic dreams — and that’s not what Australians want.
“This amendment ensures that athletes and coaches who already call Australia home can continue to chase their dreams while proudly wearing the Green and Gold at the Games.”
Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Officer Cameron Murray said the amendment represents an important step toward greater inclusion and opportunity for athletes and coaches striving to represent Australia on the world stage.
“We are grateful for the Government’s support on this issue,” Mr Murray said. “This change will make a real difference for elite sporting talent who have made Australia their home but have been caught in a technicality of the current law.
“These members of our teams train hard to represent our nation, inspire our communities, and uphold the Aussie spirit. Today’s amendment helps them belong in every sense of the word — both on and off the field of play.”
Both organisations praised Minister Burke for his consultation and responsiveness in addressing a long-standing concern that affects a small but significant group of athletes and coaches within Australia’s high-performance sporting system.
By: Paralympics Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee
Published: 8 October 2025
