Australia doesn't have birth right citizenship (Since 1986, apparently). Thus, as I was born after 1986, and legislation has recently changed, and owing to the fact that I do not have a current passport (long story), I now have to fill out an extremely detailed online application, and pay several hundred dollars, and then wait a month, to be sent "proof" that I am an Australian citizen by birth...

The thing is called a "Citizenship Certificate". Immigrants get one when they become citizens. I require this to then apply for a new passport.

This is despite my having my physical Birth Cert, and both my parents Birth Certs. And of course innumerate other forms of ID, both federal and state.

Just thought that was amusingly insane.

Abos don't have to do any of this, naturally. Even the ones born after 1986, lol. But yeah, it's nuts...

The online application system has been down for 24 hours, too, due to "overwhelming demand" for visas, apparently... Which means I have to pay more, now, because of EOFY "indexing".

All just a bit ludicrous, IMHO.

"Bureaucracy".