Australian Citizenship (Citizenship by Conferral)
Once you have your permanent residency (PR) and meet certain residence requirements, you can apply for citizenship. The same process applies regardless of which country you come from. From calculating the residence requirement to the test, interview and ceremony, here are the essentials to know before you apply.
This document is general information for foreign-born residents living in Australia and is not legal or migration advice. The citizenship process is explained based on the most common pathway, general eligibility (conferral).
Application fees, processing times, eligibility requirements and test content can change at any time, so always check the latest information on the official site (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before you actually apply. If your situation is complex, it is safer to get help from a registered migration agent or a lawyer.
1. Residence requirement — check the '4-year rule' first
The core of a general citizenship application is the residence requirement. As at your application date, you must meet all of the following.
The most commonly missed point — the limit on days overseas
- Over the past 4 years you must not have spent more than 12 months (365 days) in total outside Australia.
- In the 12 months immediately before applying you must not have spent more than 90 days outside Australia.
If you have travelled often for holidays, business or family visits, it is easy to exceed these limits. Do not apply before you count the dates yourself.
Residence requirements you must meet as at your application date:
- You must have lived in Australia on a lawful visa for the 4 years immediately before applying.
- For the last 12 months of that period you must have held a permanent visa or a Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV) — in other words, at least 1 year must have passed since you received permanent residency.
- You must stay within the two limits on days overseas above (no more than 12 months in total over 4 years + no more than 90 days in the last 12 months).
New Zealand citizens (SCV 444 holders) are subject to separate rules and, under certain conditions, can be treated as permanent residents even while overseas. Some situations — military service, the spouse or child of an Australian citizen, being born stateless and so on — may have concessions, so check your own situation on the official site.
When can you apply for Australian citizenship — a worked example with dates
The rules are hard to picture in the abstract, so let's run the numbers for a fictional applicant, Person A. Person A arrived on 2021-10-01 on a student visa (subclass 500), stayed on lawful visas without any gap, and was granted permanent residency on 2025-06-15. If Person A lodges the application on 2026-06-15, the four requirements are assessed like this.
| Requirement | Person A's situation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Lawful residence for the 4 years before applying (2022-06-15 to 2026-06-15) | Arrived 2021-10-01 and stayed lawfully with no gap, moving from student visa to PR | Met |
| 2. Permanent visa (or SCV 444) for the 12 months before applying | PR granted 2025-06-15 — exactly 12 months at the application date | Met |
| 3. No more than 12 months (365 days) overseas in total over the 4 years | 140 days in total for holidays and family visits | Met (140 of 365 days) |
| 4. No more than 90 days overseas in the 12 months before applying | 45 days visiting the home country | Met (45 of 90 days) |
The key point: time spent on temporary visas before PR (student, working holiday, 485 and so on) counts fully towards the '4 years of lawful residence'. You do not need 4 years as a permanent resident — you only need to have held PR for the 12 months before applying. Conversely, if Person A had spent more than 90 days overseas in the 12 months after getting PR, requirement 4 would fail even though requirement 2 is met.
Always confirm your own dates by entering your travel records into the Residence Calculator (section 2) below.
2. Work it out yourself with the Residence Calculator
Instead of counting your days overseas by hand, you can check in advance whether you meet the residence requirement using the government's Residence Calculator.
- What you need: all of your arrival and departure dates in and out of Australia over the past 4 years. Passport stamps, boarding passes or your movement records in ImmiAccount are useful for accuracy.
- How to use it: press 'Add details' in the Residence Calculator and enter each departure and arrival date; it will tell you whether you meet the residence requirement, or from what date you will become eligible to apply.
- Putting it to use: if you have already exceeded a limit, simply wait until the calculator's projected eligibility date and apply then. This stops you paying the fee only to be refused.
The result is for guidance only and the final decision is made by a case officer. If you are close to the line, leave yourself some margin before applying.
3. Eligibility you must meet beyond the residence requirement
Good character
Applicants aged 18 and over must meet the 'good character' requirement. Criminal history and similar matters are checked during the assessment, and an ongoing criminal case or a negative character assessment can lead to refusal. You must truthfully disclose your residence history in and outside Australia and related matters in your application.
Intention to reside
You must intend to continue living in Australia or to maintain a close and continuing association with Australia. If you plan to leave Australia permanently as soon as you become a citizen, you may not meet this requirement.
English and knowledge of Australia
General applicants aged 18 to 59 need basic English and an adequate understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship, which is usually confirmed by the citizenship test (see the next section). Those aged 60 and over or under 18, among others, are exempt from the test.
4. Citizenship test
Most general applicants aged 18 to 59 must sit the citizenship test. The questions are based on the booklet Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond and are multiple choice.
Pass mark — you must get all 5 values questions right
- You must answer at least 15 of the 20 multiple-choice questions correctly (75%).
- And you must answer all 5 'Australian values' questions correctly — get even one wrong and you fail, regardless of your overall score.
- Time and format: 20 computer-based multiple-choice questions with 45 minutes to complete them. Tests are held at Home Affairs offices in most capital cities and at some Services Australia (Centrelink) offices.
- Cost: there is no extra charge to sit the test — it is included in the application fee you have already paid.
- Preparation: every question comes from the Our Common Bond booklet, so studying that booklet thoroughly is all you need. Get used to the format with the government's official practice test. The booklet and the practice test are free.
- If you fail: it has no effect on your permanent visa or your right to live in Australia, and Home Affairs will book another test appointment for you at no extra cost. However, if you do not pass after three appointments, your application may be refused (Home Affairs guidance, checked 2026-07).
Even if English is not your first language, the booklet is written in plain English, and repeating the practice test will get you well prepared.
5. Application and interview (appointment)
Apply online (ImmiAccount)
- General applicants aged 18 to 59 apply using Form 1300t, and applying online through ImmiAccount is recommended.
- You submit proof of identity, evidence of your period of residence, character-related documents and so on. Check the list of required documents on the official site before applying.
- Application fee: $595 for a general application (from 2026-07-01; the fee is indexed every 1 July). Concessions and exemptions are set out in the costs section below.
- Processing time varies with your circumstances and how complete your documents are — under the current published figures, 90% of applications are decided within 7 months (June 2026 release). See the processing times section below for the full breakdown.
Appointment and interview
Once your application is received, you will be given details of an appointment. On the day of the appointment, identity and original-document checks, an interview and (where applicable) the citizenship test are carried out together. Be sure to bring original documents such as your passport. Applicants exempt from the test (those aged 60 and over and so on) must still attend the interview.
6. Application costs — FY2026-27
Citizenship application fees are set by the Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016 and are indexed to the consumer price index (CPI) on 1 July each year. The amounts applying from 2026-07-01 are as follows.
| Application type | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| General eligibility (Form 1300t, ages 18-59) | $595 |
| Concession fee — holders of a valid Pensioner Concession Card | $85 |
| Child aged 15 or younger applying on the same form as a responsible parent | Nil |
| Other situations (Form 1290 — aged 60+, hearing/speech/sight impairment and so on) | $365 (concession $40) |
- The test is free: there is no separate charge to sit the citizenship test, and no charge to re-sit it after a fail — it is all covered by the application fee.
- Concession conditions: only holders of a valid Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Australian Government (Services Australia or the Department of Veterans' Affairs) qualify. Health Care Cards, student cards and Senior Health Cards cannot be used for the concession fee.
- Full exemptions: no fee is payable by British and Maltese former child migrants who arrived under the Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme (1947-1967), people who have served at least 90 days in Australia's permanent defence forces, and applicants under the statelessness provision (s21(8) of the Citizenship Act). Note that fee-exempt applications cannot be lodged online — a paper form is required.
Source: Home Affairs Form 1298i 'Citizenship application fees' (July 2026 edition) and Schedule 3 of the Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016 (amounts applying from 2026-07-01, up from $575 in FY2025-26). Reconfirm the exact amount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au when you apply.
7. Processing times and the ceremony wait — how long it takes right now
Home Affairs publishes official citizenship processing times every month. The table below reproduces the published figures for conferral applications (update of 2026-06-19) as is. For example, '90% — 7 months' means that 90 out of every 100 applications were processed within 7 months.
| Stage | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application to decision | 75 days | 86 days | 4 months | 7 months |
| Approval to ceremony | 80 days | 4 months | 6 months | 6 months |
| Application to ceremony (total) | 8 months | 10 months | 12 months | 14 months |
Approval does not make you a citizen straight away — the ceremony wait comes next. Here is how that queue works.
- Ceremonies are usually hosted by your local government council, and which ceremony you are assigned to is determined by your current residential address. You cannot choose where or when to attend.
- Your invitation is sent by the council or Home Affairs about 4 weeks before the event.
- The wait varies a lot with demand in your local government area (LGA). You can look up the number of approved applicants and the wait times for your own council on the Home Affairs Ceremony wait times page (data as at 2026-05-31).
- Even after approval, you are not a citizen until you make the pledge. You can travel overseas, but you must re-enter on your existing visa (for example a permanent visa with a valid travel facility), and if you move house your assigned council changes — tell Home Affairs about any change of address.
The figures above reproduce the official Home Affairs release (updated 2026-06-19, refreshed monthly) and will vary with your circumstances and how complete your documents are. Check the Citizenship processing times page in the official sources below for the latest figures.
8. Ceremony and pledge
Once your application is approved, the final step is the citizenship ceremony.
- It is usually hosted by your local council or by Home Affairs, and you will be told how to attend within a set period after approval.
- At the ceremony you make the Australian Citizenship Pledge. Most applicants aged 16 and over must make this pledge for their citizenship to take effect.
- Once you have made the pledge, you become an Australian citizen from that day and receive your citizenship certificate. Keep this certificate safe, as you will use it later to apply for an Australian passport and so on.
If you have difficulty attending your scheduled ceremony, you can contact the hosting body in advance to make arrangements.
9. Special cases — minors, those aged 60+ and others
Under 18 (test exempt)
If you are under 18 at the time of application, you are exempt from the citizenship test. There is a separate pathway for children applying with (or through) a parent, and the form used differs depending on age and family situation. Check the details on the official site.
Aged 60 and over (test exempt)
If you are 60 or over at the time of application, you are exempt from the citizenship test and the English requirement. However, even when the test is waived you must still attend the interview for identity verification, and as you are 18 or over the character requirement still applies.
Dual citizenship
Australia allows dual citizenship. The question is the law of your original (home) country. Broadly, countries fall into three types.
- Automatic loss: countries where you lose your citizenship automatically the moment you acquire another nationality
- Notification or permission required: countries where you can keep it, but only with prior permission, notification or a formal nationality election
- Unrestricted: countries that recognise dual citizenship with no extra steps
The safest course is to check with your home country's embassy or consulate before you become an Australian citizen. Even where you can keep both, keep these practical points in mind (based on the Australian Government's Smartraveller guidance).
- Military service: countries with conscription may require you to serve, or penalise defaulters, when you visit — and the Australian Government cannot get you out of it.
- Passports and exit permits: some countries require their nationals to enter and leave on that country's passport, or to obtain an exit permit.
- Limits on consular help: inside your other country of nationality, that country may treat you solely as its own citizen, which can limit Australia's ability to provide consular assistance.
11. Official sources
- Become a citizen by conferral (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)(opens in a new window)
Official guidance on eligibility and the process for a general citizenship application (conferral)
- Residence Calculator(opens in a new window)
Government tool for calculating the 4-year residence requirement and your days overseas yourself
- Citizenship test(opens in a new window)
Guidance on the citizenship test pass mark, content and re-sit rules
- Citizenship practice test(opens in a new window)
Free official practice test provided by the government
- ImmiAccount (online application)(opens in a new window)
Portal for Form 1300t online application and document submission
- Citizenship application fees — Form 1298i (PDF)(opens in a new window)
Official list of citizenship application fees by application type (Form 1298i, updated each 1 July)
- Citizenship processing times(opens in a new window)
Official processing times and ceremony wait times (updated monthly)
- Smartraveller — Advice for dual nationals (DFAT)(opens in a new window)
Official DFAT advice for dual nationals — consular help, military service, passports
- Department of Home Affairs — Citizenship enquiries (131 880)(opens in a new window)
General citizenship guidance and enquiries (Home Affairs)
The links and phone numbers above are current as at the time of writing and may change. For any citizenship decision or application, always follow the latest guidance on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, and for complex matters consult a registered migration agent or a lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the 4-year residence requirement?▾
As at your application date, you must have lived in Australia on a lawful visa for the previous 4 years, and held permanent residency or an SCV (444) for the last 12 months of that period. You must also have spent no more than 12 months in total outside Australia over the 4 years, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. Enter your arrival and departure dates into the Residence Calculator to check whether you meet the requirement in advance.
What score do I need to pass the citizenship test?▾
You must answer at least 15 of the 20 multiple-choice questions correctly (75%), and at the same time answer all 5 'Australian values' questions correctly. Get even one values question wrong and you fail, regardless of your overall score. Every question comes from the Our Common Bond booklet, and you have 45 minutes to complete it.
Do I lose my original citizenship if I become an Australian citizen?▾
Australia allows dual citizenship, so from Australia's side you do not need to give up your original citizenship. However, whether your home country recognises dual citizenship depends on that country's law. Some countries automatically cancel your citizenship when you acquire another country's citizenship, so check with your home country's embassy or consulate before you apply.
Am I exempt from the test once I turn 60?▾
Yes. If you are 60 or over, or under 18, at the time of application, you are exempt from the citizenship test and the English requirement. However, even when the test is waived you must still attend the interview for identity verification, and if you are 18 or over the character requirement still applies.
How much does it cost to apply for Australian citizenship?▾
From 2026-07-01 a general application (Form 1300t) costs $595. Holders of a valid Pensioner Concession Card pay a concession fee of $85, and children aged 15 or younger applying on the same form as a responsible parent pay nothing. The citizenship test is included in the application fee at no extra cost. Fees are indexed every 1 July, so reconfirm on the official site when you apply.
How long does it take from application to actually becoming a citizen?▾
Under the Home Affairs figures (June 2026 update), 90% of applications are decided within 7 months, and after approval 90% of applicants get the opportunity to attend a ceremony within 6 months. End to end, half of all applicants go from application to ceremony within 10 months and 90% within 14 months. You only become a citizen once you make the pledge at the ceremony. The figures are refreshed monthly, so check the official processing times page for the latest.
What happens if I fail the citizenship test?▾
Failing has no effect on your permanent visa or your right to live in Australia. Home Affairs will book another test appointment for you at no extra cost, and there is no re-sit fee. However, if you do not pass after three appointments your application may be refused, so prepare thoroughly with the Our Common Bond booklet and the official practice test before re-sitting.
Does time on a temporary visa before PR count towards the 4 years?▾
Yes, it counts. The 4-year residence requirement is based on lawful visa stay, so time on temporary visas — student, working holiday, 485 and so on — counts in full. You only need to have held a permanent visa for the 12 months immediately before applying. For example, if you lived 3 years on temporary visas and then received PR, you can apply 12 months after the PR grant, provided you have stayed within the limits on days overseas.