What passports do Aboriginal Australians use? Learn about Aboriginal identity and citizenship rights in one article

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutAustralian Aboriginal passport issueNow I will systematically sort out the relevant issues and provide you with an in-depth analysis of the core points of Aboriginal identity and citizenship rights through this article.


### 1. Basic identity of Aboriginal Australians
According to the 2021 census data, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples account for 3.21% of the total population, or about 812,000 people. In the current legal system, Aboriginal people enjoy completely equal legal status with other Australian citizens. According to the Australian Citizenship Act 1983, all people born in Australia and whose parents are at least one Australian citizen or permanent resident automatically obtain citizenship, which fully applies to the Aboriginal group.

The Australian Passport Office clearly states that the documents required for Aboriginal passport applications are exactly the same as those required for other citizens, including:
1. Proof of citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate)
2. Photo ID
3. ID photo that meets ICAO standards
4. Application fee payment receipt

### 2. Special periods in historical evolution
During the assimilation policy of 1901-1973, Aboriginal people were classified as "wards" and their citizenship rights were restricted. This situation did not change fundamentally until the 1967 referendum, when 90.77% voters supported including Aboriginal people in the census and giving the federal government legislative power.

Important time points:
- 1948: Nationality Act recognises for the first time all people born in Australia as British subjects
- 1975: Racial Discrimination Act came into force
- 2008: Rudd government formally apologizes to the "Stolen Generations"

### 3. Special considerations for international travel
Although Aboriginal people hold standard Australian passports, they may encounter special situations when entering or leaving the country and need to pay special attention to the following:
1. Traditional name problem: Some indigenous people use names that contain hyphens, repeated letters or special spellings. It is recommended to confirm with the airline in advance whether the name displayed on the boarding pass is correct.
2. Cultural items: Traditional musical instruments such as the didgeridoo must be declared for quarantine
3. Tribal tattoos: Facial tattoos may trigger additional customs inquiries. It is recommended to prepare English explanation documents

### 4. Aboriginal identity document system
In addition to standard passports, Aboriginal people can also apply for the following special documents:
| Certificate Type| Issuing Authority| Main Purpose |
|---------|---------|---------|
|Aboriginal Certificate|State Aboriginal Land Councils|Land Claims|
|Traditional Owners Certificate|National Department of Aboriginal Affairs|Cultural Heritage Conservation|
|Aboriginal Health Card|Centrelink|Medical Benefit Claim|

###

Five issues related to Aboriginal passports in Australia

**Question 1: Do Aboriginal people have special passports? **
There is no special Aboriginal passport in Australia. All citizens use a standard passport with a dark blue cover. However, Aboriginal people can apply to add their traditional language name to the "observation page" of their passport.

**Question 2: Do Aboriginal people have different civil rights? **
They are completely equal in law, but enjoy special rights and compensation in practice, including:
- Eligibility for Native Title claims
- Specific scholarships and employment quotas
- Right to use the special fund for cultural protection

**Question 3: How can the "stolen generations" of history restore their identities? **
Citizenship can be confirmed by:
1. Contact Aboriginal Genealogy Services (Link-Up)
2. Search state government historical archives
3. Apply for identity tracing from the National Archives

**Question 4: Can Aboriginals hold dual citizenship? **
Like other Australian citizens, you can hold dual citizenship if you meet the requirements. However, please note that some traditional territories may have special rules for dual nationals to inherit land rights.

**Question 5: Are internationally recognized Aboriginal passports valid? **
Symbolic passports issued by some international Aboriginal organisations (such as the 1972 Tent Embassy Passport) have cultural significance but have no legal force. A formal passport issued by the Australian Government is required for cross-border travel.

The Australian Encyclopedia Assistant reminds you: Understanding the issue of Aboriginal passports is essentially a process of understanding Australia's multicultural and social equity mechanism. Under the current legal system, Aboriginal people have fully integrated into the framework of modern civil society while maintaining their traditional culture. If you need to apply for Aboriginal-related documents, it is recommended that you contact the Aboriginal Legal Service (ATSILS) in advance for professional guidance.

Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandAustralian Aboriginal passports and citizenship rightsIf you have more questions, please leave a message in the comment area.