Australian Citizenship
Once you’ve held permanent residency for long enough, becoming an Australian citizen is often the natural next step — full voting rights, an Australian passport, and the ability to live in Australia without visa conditions. There are several pathways depending on your circumstances.
Permanent Residents
The most common pathway — for permanent residents who meet the residence requirement, identity, and character tests.
Born Overseas
For people born outside Australia to at least one Australian citizen parent at the time of birth.
Adopted Children
For children adopted in Australia, or overseas under the Hague Convention, by an Australian citizen.
Who can apply
- You currently hold Australian permanent residency (or an eligible visa, such as a New Zealand Special Category Visa in some circumstances)
- You meet the general residence requirement — currently a period of lawful residence in Australia, including a period as a permanent resident (this changes periodically, so we’ll confirm the current requirement for your situation)
- You intend to live in, or maintain a close and continuing association with, Australia
- You’re of good character
- You have a basic knowledge of English and an understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship (assessed via the citizenship test, with some exemptions available)
What’s changed this year
Fee increase: from 1 July 2026, the standard adult citizenship by conferral fee rose to $595 (up from $575), as part of the Department’s annual 1 July indexation — confirm the current figure and any concession you may qualify for before applying.
Special Residence Requirement expanded: if frequent overseas travel for work has made it hard to meet the standard residence requirement, a March 2026 legislative instrument widened the Special Residence Requirement to cover more roles — including academic staff in research and development roles and ministers of religion in senior leadership positions (for applications lodged on or after 21 March 2026). If your work regularly takes you overseas, it’s worth checking whether this expanded category now applies to you.
What to expect timing-wise: recent Home Affairs data shows around 75% of conferral applications decided within about three months and 90% within five — with the ceremony adding further time, so the full application-to-ceremony journey typically runs around 10 to 12 months. Processing times shift regularly, so treat this as a general guide rather than a promise for your specific case.
How it works
- Confirm eligibility — including your residence history and any time spent outside Australia, which can affect your eligibility.
- Lodge your application — with supporting identity, residence, and character documents.
- Sit the citizenship test — if required for your pathway (some applicants, such as those aged 60+ or under 18, are exempt).
- Attend a citizenship ceremony — where you make the Australian Citizenship Pledge and formally become a citizen.
Common reasons applications stall
Absences from Australia during the residence qualifying period are the most common issue — the rules around how much time overseas is allowed are more detailed than most applicants expect, particularly for people who travel for work or to visit family. We review your travel history carefully before lodging, rather than after a request for more information comes back.