Pathways to Australian Citizenship
Becoming an Australian citizen is a significant milestone, offering you the opportunity to fully embrace life in Australia. As a citizen, you gain access to rights, responsibilities, and privileges that allow you to actively participate in shaping the country’s future.
Australian citizenship application
Become an Australian citizen by conferral
Gaining Australian citizenship by conferral is the most common pathway to becoming an Australian citizen. To apply, you must be a permanent resident and meet specific eligibility criteria, including residency and character requirements.
Requirements for permanent residents
Status
be a permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV) when you apply and when your application is decided
Meet the general residence requirement
have been living in Australia on a valid visa for 4 years immediately before the day you apply
hold a permanent visa or an SCV for the last 12 months immediately before the day you apply and
not have been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in total in the past 4 years, including no more than 90 days in total in the 12 months immediately before applying.
Meet the character requirement
uphold and obey the laws of Australia
meet the other commitments made through the citizenship pledge
Knowledge of Australia
You must understand what it means to be an Australian citizen. To assess this, most applicants will sit the citizenship test. If you score 75% or more on the citizenship test and answer all 5 questions on Australian values correctly, then you meet the knowledge requirement.
Assessing Close and Continuing Ties to Australia
When determining an individual's close and continuing connection to Australia, various factors are considered, including their residency status, financial ties, travel history, and community involvement. Key aspects of this assessment include:
Property Ownership or Rental Status – Whether the individual owns or rents property in Australia and its location.
Financial and Asset Ties – Ownership of high-value assets such as real estate, vehicles, or bank accounts in Australia.
Employment and Income Sources – Work status, business ownership, and primary sources of income within Australia.
Travel Patterns – Frequency of travel to and from Australia, duration of stays, and reasons for travel.
Community Engagement – Active participation in Australian community groups, clubs, charities, or volunteer organizations.
Family Connections in Australia – Presence of close family members who are Australian citizens or permanent residents, including spouses, de facto partners, or children.
Requirements for person 60 years or over
Age
You must be aged 60 years or over to apply. You need to understand the nature of your application. You do not have to sit the citizenship test.
Status
You and everyone included in the application must be a permanent resident.
Meet the general residence requirement
have been living in Australia on a valid visa for 4 years immediately before the day you apply
hold a permanent visa or an SCV for the last 12 months immediately before the day you apply and
not have been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in total in the past 4 years, including no more than 90 days in total in the 12 months immediately before applying.
Meet the character requirement
uphold and obey the laws of Australia
meet the other commitments made through the citizenship pledge
Assessing Close and Continuing Ties to Australia
When determining an individual's close and continuing connection to Australia, various factors are considered, including their residency status, financial ties, travel history, and community involvement. Key aspects of this assessment include:
Property Ownership or Rental Status – Whether the individual owns or rents property in Australia and its location.
Financial and Asset Ties – Ownership of high-value assets such as real estate, vehicles, or bank accounts in Australia.
Employment and Income Sources – Work status, business ownership, and primary sources of income within Australia.
Travel Patterns – Frequency of travel to and from Australia, duration of stays, and reasons for travel.
Community Engagement – Active participation in Australian community groups, clubs, charities, or volunteer organizations.
Family Connections in Australia – Presence of close family members who are Australian citizens or permanent residents, including spouses, de facto partners, or children.
Become an Australian citizen by descent
Individuals born outside Australia may be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent if at least one parent was an Australian citizen at the time of their birth.
You must have been either
Born outside Australia on or after 26 January 1949
You may be eligible if you were born outside Australia and one or both of your parents at the time of your birth, was also an Australian citizen.
Born outside Australia through an international surrogacy arrangement
Character requirement
When evaluating an individual's good character, several factors are considered to determine their likelihood of upholding and obeying Australian laws. This assessment includes:
Criminal History – Any recorded criminal convictions.
Legal Obligations – Outstanding court matters in Australia or overseas.
Associations – Connections with individuals or groups of concern.
Behavioral Conduct – Any reported incidents of domestic violence.
Integrity and Honesty – Truthfulness in dealings with the Australian community, including any instances of providing false or misleading information in visa or citizenship applications.
Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship
Responsibilities - what you will give Australia
As an Australian citizen, you must:
obey the laws of Australia
vote in federal and state or territory elections, and a referendum
defend Australia should the need arise
serve on jury duty if called to do so
Privileges - what Australia will give you
As an Australian citizen, you can:
vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum
apply for children born overseas to become Australian citizens by descent
apply for a job in the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force
seek election to parliament
apply for an Australian passport and return to Australia freely
ask for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas
Application Process
Achieving Australian citizenship involves a structured process that ensures applicants meet all legal and character requirements. Below is a step-by-step guide to the Australian citizenship application process
Stage 1
Lodge Citizenship Application
The first step is to submit a citizenship application along with all required supporting documents. These documents must demonstrate that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria, including residency, character, and other legal requirements.
Stage 2
Australian Citizenship Test
Once the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) confirms an applicant’s eligibility, they will be invited to attend an appointment with a case officer. During this appointment, eligible adult applicants must sit the Australian citizenship test.
Stage 3
Citizenship Ceremony and Pledge
Upon passing the citizenship test and receiving application approval, applicants must attend a citizenship ceremony—usually held within three months of approval, though wait times may vary by local council.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
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Generally, applicants must have lived in Australia for at least four years, including at least 12 months as a permanent resident, and must not have been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in total during this period, including no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
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Yes, most applicants aged 18 to 59 must pass the Australian citizenship test. The test assesses knowledge of Australia’s values, history, and responsibilities of citizenship. Study materials are available to help applicants prepare.
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Applicants who fail the test will be given two additional attempts. If they fail all three attempts, their application will be refused, but they can reapply for citizenship.
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Applicants must meet the good character requirement. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant, but serious offenses or repeated violations may affect eligibility. The Department of Home Affairs assesses each case individually.
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Yes, children may be eligible for citizenship under specific conditions, such as being born in Australia to permanent residents or Australian citizens, or through citizenship by descent if born overseas to Australian parents. Some children under 16 years may be included in a parent’s application.
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