Citizenship by conferral
Australian Citizenship Applications
Ready to become an Australian citizen? Check the residence requirement, prepare your documents and get ready for the citizenship test and interview.
Becoming an Australian Citizen
Citizenship by conferral is the most common way for permanent residents to become Australian citizens. When you apply, you and everyone in your application must be a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category visa (subclass 444).
You must also meet the residence requirement, the character requirement, have knowledge of Australia and its values, meet the language requirement and have a close and continuing link to Australia. Most applicants aged 18 to 59 sit the citizenship test, which assesses knowledge of Australia, its people, beliefs, rights, laws and values.
The General Residence Requirement
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Lived in Australia | 4 years on a valid visa immediately before applying |
| As a permanent resident | The last 12 months before applying |
| Time away | No more than 12 months in total in the 4 years, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months |
| Children under 16 | Must be permanent residents, but do not need to meet the residence requirement |
Source: Department of Home Affairs. Use the official Residence Calculator to check your dates.
Your permanent residence usually starts on the date your permanent visa was granted in Australia, or the date you first entered Australia on a permanent visa.
If your Special Category visa (444) was granted before 1 July 2022, you are treated as a permanent resident from 1 July 2022 and could apply from 1 July 2023. If first granted on or after 1 July 2022, residence starts from the grant date. Special rules also apply to New Zealand stream 189 holders.
Some people do not need to meet the residence requirement, including children under 16, some children of former Australian citizens, and certain Australian Defence Force members and their families.
The test assesses your knowledge of Australia, its people, beliefs, rights, liberties, laws and values. Home Affairs publishes the study booklet Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond in English and other languages, plus a podcast series.
There are also pathways for people aged 60 and over and for people born overseas to an Australian citizen parent (citizenship by descent).
Based on information from the Department of Home Affairs and the Administrative Review Tribunal (October 2026). Fees and time limits can change, and the time limit that applies to you is stated in your decision letter. This page is general information, not legal or migration advice for your circumstances.
Free tool
Check your residence in 2 minutes
Enter your permanent residence date, lawful residence date and travel, and our Citizenship Residence Calculator shows whether you meet the general residence requirement and the earliest date you could apply.
Open the Residence CalculatorHow to work out your dates
- Permanent residence date: usually the date your permanent visa was granted while you were in Australia, or the date you first entered Australia on it.
- Lawful residence date: the date you first started living in Australia on a valid visa, including a temporary visa.
- Travel dates: request your international movement records from Home Affairs, free of charge, so your dates are exact.
Australian Citizenship FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
Still have questions?
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4 years on a valid visa immediately before applying, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident.
No more than 12 months in total in the 4 years before applying, including no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
Yes. New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category visa (444) are treated as permanent residents for citizenship, with special rules for when residence starts.
Knowledge of Australia, its people, beliefs, rights, liberties, laws and values, based on the Our Common Bond booklet.
Ready to Become an Australian Citizen?
Book a consultation to check your residence dates and prepare a complete application.
