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Home / Citizenship
Becoming an Australian citizen is the final step for many of our clients. We check your eligibility, calculate your residence and prepare your application.
Australian citizenship
Eligibility, the residence requirement, the test and your application. Choose a topic below.
By conferral
The usual pathway for permanent residents.
You may be eligible if you are a permanent resident, meet the residence requirement, are of good character, understand the responsibilities of citizenship, have basic knowledge of English and intend to live in or keep a close connection with Australia.
Some applicants whose work requires regular overseas travel can meet a special residence requirement. Since 21 March 2026 this also covers PhD-qualified academics doing research for Australian universities and senior religious leaders.
Residence requirement
We calculate your days from your movement records before you apply. A miscalculation is one of the most common reasons applications are refused.
Test & interview
The test checks your knowledge of Australia and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, including Australian values.
How to apply
We check your visa history and calculate your days in and out of Australia from your movement records, so the residence requirement is met on the day you apply.
Identity documents, evidence of name changes, and character documents where needed. Documents not in English need translations.
The application is lodged online through ImmiAccount, with the fee. Children under 16 can be included in a parent's application.
You attend an appointment to confirm your identity with original documents, and sit the citizenship test or an interview.
The Department decides your application and tells you in writing.
You're invited to a citizenship ceremony, usually run by your local council. You become a citizen when you make the pledge.
The Department may ask for other documents depending on your circumstances.
Printable checklists →More about the test
Other pathways
For people born outside Australia to a parent who was an Australian citizen at the time of their birth.
For children adopted outside Australia by an Australian citizen under the Hague Convention or a bilateral arrangement.
For former Australian citizens who gave up citizenship, or lost it when a parent did, in certain circumstances.
A child born in Australia is a citizen if a parent was a citizen or permanent resident at the time. A child born here who lives here until their 10th birthday usually becomes a citizen then. We can apply for evidence of citizenship.
Questions
Time in Australia on a bridging visa can count as lawful residence. Time as an unlawful non-citizen does not. We check each period in your movement records.
Yes. Criminal history, outstanding debts to the Commonwealth and other conduct can be considered. Get advice before you apply if you have any concerns.
Most citizenship refusals can be reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal. See Visa & citizenship refusals.
Australia allows dual citizenship, but your other country of citizenship may not. Check the law of that country before you apply.
When you make the pledge of commitment at a citizenship ceremony. Until then you remain a permanent resident, so keep your travel arrangements and documents current.
Children under 16 can usually be included in a parent's application. Children aged 16 and 17 apply separately.
Processing times change often and vary between applicants. We tell you the current estimate when you apply, and we check that your application is complete so it isn't delayed.
Possibly. It depends on your parents' status when you were born, or whether you lived here until your 10th birthday. We can apply for evidence of citizenship for you.
We'll check your residence days and character before you apply.
