Quade Cooper told by Australian Government playing for Wallabies doesn’t allow him automatic citizenship

He has represented the country 70 times on the international stage, yet Quade Cooper is no closer to becoming an Australian citizen after having his most recent bid turned down.

Former Wallabies player Quade Cooper is seen training in isolation at Red Hill in Brisbane, Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The ex-Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper has confirmed his interest in joining the NRL after they announced that they will restart their season on May 28. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING

Playing for the Wallabies is indeed not enough to gain Australian citizenship, the Department of Home Affairs has confirmed after rejecting Quade Cooper’s application.

Cooper took to social media on Tuesday expressing bewilderment that his Australian citizenship application had been knocked back, having represented the Wallabies 70 times in international Tests.

The Department, without commenting specifically on Cooper, suggested his recent stint in Japanese rugby was a factor in the rejection.

Kayo is your ticket to the best local and international sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now >

Quade Cooper has played 70 times for the Wallabies since 2008.

When pressed on how a globally recognised Wallabies star would not be given an exemption when he’s represented his country from 2008-17 including a two World Cups, the Department revealed rugby is not among the jobs or activities on their list.

“Rugby union is not listed in the legislative instrument as an eligible activity or kind of work for the purposes of the special residence requirement,” a spokesperson for Home Affairs said.

“The Department does not take citizenship application decisions lightly and considers all evidence provided as part of the decision making process.

“Decision makers are required to adhere to the prescribed legislation when assessing citizenship applications.”

The 33-year-old had his citizenship bid turned down.

Awkward moment @ausgov refuse your citizenship applications (again)🥺😂 wearing the green and gold 70 times apparently is not enough these days.. 🤔
Cheers Shannon pic.twitter.com/jMSa1moWsA

— Quade Cooper (@QuadeCooper) July 13, 2021

As part of that prescribed legislation, two points were highlighted in the Department’s response to News Corp; “To satisfy the general residence requirement, at the time of application for Australian citizenship the applicant must have been:

• a permanent resident for the twelve months immediately prior to application; and
• absent from Australia for no more than twelve months in total in the four-year period, including no more than 90 days in total in the 12-month period prior to application.”

Quade Cooper played in Japan earlier this year.

Cooper, born in New Zealand and travelling for Wallabies international games on his Kiwi passport, played for Kintetsu in Japan earlier this year.

His months-long overseas stint has likely been red-flagged in the bureaucratic process of assessing his application while sticking to the Department’s strict rules.

But with 33-year-old Cooper saying on Twitter that he was told cricket and tennis is among the activities that would allow exemptions, it is a huge smack down for rugby.

Cooper did not return calls.