How to Apply for Australian Citizenship by Conferral as a Permanent Resident
Apply for Australian citizenship by conferral as a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand Special Category visa holder. Check the 4-year residence rule, absence limits, character requirements, citizenship test, documents, ImmiAccount application process, fees and citizenship ceremony steps.
AU Australia
Immigration & Travel ~ 12 min read
15 FAQ
Updated 2026-08-26
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Most permanent residents aged 18 to 59 can apply for Australian citizenship by conferral once they have lived in Australia on a valid visa for the 4 years immediately before applying, held permanent residence or an eligible New Zealand Special Category subclass 444 visa for the final 12 months, and stayed within the permitted absence limits. You must generally be of good character, apply and pay through ImmiAccount, provide identity and supporting documents and pass the citizenship test. The test is in English and requires at least 15 correct answers out of 20, including all 5 Australian values questions. If approved, most applicants become citizens after making the Australian Citizenship Pledge at a citizenship ceremony.
What you need
- Be a permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category subclass 444 visa when you apply and when the Department decides the application.
- For the standard pathway, have lived in Australia on a valid visa for the 4 years immediately before applying.
- Have held a permanent visa or eligible Special Category visa for the 12 months immediately before applying.
- Have been outside Australia for no more than 12 months in total during the previous 4 years and no more than 90 days in total during the 12 months immediately before applying, unless an exemption or discretion applies.
- Be of good character if aged 18 or older.
- Intend to live in Australia or maintain a close and continuing association with Australia while overseas.
- Provide identity documents, photographs and any other documents required for your circumstances.
- Provide overseas penal clearance certificates where the Department's rules require them.
- Provide English translations of documents that are not in English.
- Pay the applicable citizenship application fee unless entitled to an exemption.
- If required, attend a citizenship appointment and pass the Australian citizenship test.
- If required after approval, attend a citizenship ceremony and make the Australian Citizenship Pledge.
Eligibility
Australian citizenship by conferral is available to permanent residents and New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category subclass 444 visa who meet the applicable citizenship requirements. Under the standard residence requirement, you must normally have lived in Australia on a valid visa for the 4 years immediately before applying, including the final 12 months as a permanent resident or eligible SCV holder. Your total absences during those 4 years must generally not exceed 12 months, including no more than 90 days during the final 12 months. Applicants aged 18 or older must generally be of good character. Most applicants aged 18 to 59 must also sit the citizenship test. Different pathways, exemptions and concessions apply to some applicants, including children, people aged 60 or older and people with certain permanent or enduring incapacity.
How to do it
- Confirm that citizenship by conferral is the correct pathway for you and that you are a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand Special Category visa holder.
- Check the general residence requirement. Confirm that you have lived in Australia on a valid visa for the required 4-year period, held permanent residence or an eligible SCV for the final 12 months and stayed within the absence limits.
- Use the Department of Home Affairs Residence Calculator if you need to check your travel history and qualifying period.
- Check whether any exemption, discretion or special residence rule applies before lodging if you do not meet the standard residence requirement.
- Gather your identity documents, travel documents, photograph, evidence of any name changes and other supporting documents required for your circumstances.
- Obtain any required overseas penal clearance certificates. The Department may require them where you travelled or lived outside Australia after turning 18 while holding permanent residence and the applicable time thresholds are met.
- Arrange English translations for all documents not written in English and include both the original document and the translation.
- Create or sign in to ImmiAccount and complete the Australian citizenship by conferral application online where eligible.
- Attach clear colour scans of the required original documents and pay the current application fee shown by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Monitor ImmiAccount and your correspondence for requests for further information or an invitation to a citizenship appointment.
- If required, attend the citizenship appointment and sit the citizenship test. Prepare using the Department's Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond resource.
- Pass the citizenship test by answering all 5 Australian values questions correctly and achieving an overall score of at least 15 out of 20.
- Wait for the Department's written decision and provide any additional information requested while the application is being assessed.
- If your application is approved and you are required to make the pledge, wait for an invitation to a citizenship ceremony.
- Attend the ceremony and make the Australian Citizenship Pledge. You generally become an Australian citizen when you make the pledge.
- Receive your Australian citizenship certificate and check that your personal details are correct.
Who can apply for Australian citizenship by conferral?
Citizenship by conferral is the standard pathway for many Australian permanent residents who want to become Australian citizens. It is also available directly to New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category subclass 444 visa, subject to the citizenship eligibility rules.
You must be a permanent resident or eligible SCV holder both when you lodge the application and when the Department of Home Affairs decides it. In most cases, you must also be in Australia when the decision is made.
What is the 4-year Australian citizenship residence requirement?
For the general residence requirement, you must normally have lived in Australia on a valid visa for the 4 years immediately before the day you apply.
You must also have held a permanent visa or a Special Category subclass 444 visa for the final 12 months immediately before applying.
How much time can you spend outside Australia?
During the 4 years immediately before applying, your total absences from Australia must generally be no more than 12 months.
Within the final 12 months immediately before your application, you must generally have spent no more than 90 days outside Australia.
The Department provides a Residence Calculator to help applicants check whether their travel history meets these rules.
How do the rules apply to New Zealand citizens?
New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category subclass 444 visa can apply directly for Australian citizenship by conferral without first obtaining another permanent visa.
For citizenship purposes, certain SCV holders are treated as having permanent resident status from a specified date. If an SCV was first granted before 1 July 2022, the Department generally treats the person as a permanent resident from 1 July 2022 for citizenship purposes. If the SCV was first granted on or after 1 July 2022, permanent residence for citizenship purposes generally begins on the SCV grant date.
Do you need to be of good character?
Applicants aged 18 years or older must generally satisfy the Department that they are of good character. The Department assesses character as part of the citizenship application and may consider criminal history and other relevant conduct.
Do you need an Australian police check?
If you are aged 16 or older, the Department generally requests an Australian National Police Check on your behalf through the National Police Checking Service. You normally do not need to obtain this Australian check separately unless the Department instructs you otherwise.
When do you need overseas police certificates?
The Department requires an overseas penal clearance certificate in specified circumstances. This can apply if, after turning 18, you travelled or lived outside Australia while holding a permanent visa and your total time outside Australia was at least 12 months, including at least 90 days in any one country. The Department can also request a penal clearance certificate in other circumstances.
If New Zealand is one of the countries for which a clearance is required, the Department can request the New Zealand criminal history check directly from the New Zealand Ministry of Justice after obtaining the required consent.
What documents do you need for Australian citizenship by conferral?
The exact document list depends on your identity, travel history and personal circumstances. The Department's online application identifies the evidence required for your case.
Common documents include:
- passport or other travel documents
- identity documents
- a citizenship-compliant photograph
- evidence of any name changes
- documents relating to children included in the application
- overseas penal clearance certificates where required
- evidence supporting any residence exemption, discretion or concession claimed
Additional evidence can be requested after lodgement.
What are the document translation rules?
Every document that is not in English must be accompanied by an English translation. You must provide both the original document and the English translation.
If the translation is completed in Australia, the Department says you should use a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. A translator outside Australia does not have to be NAATI accredited, but the translation must include the translator's full name, address, telephone number, qualifications and experience in the language translated.
How to apply for Australian citizenship online
The preferred method is to apply online through ImmiAccount. Create or sign in to your ImmiAccount, complete the citizenship application, upload the required supporting documents and pay the application fee.
Applying online where possible and providing all required documents can help the Department process the application more efficiently.
When must you apply on paper?
Some applicants need to use a paper application. The Department identifies circumstances including applicants who do not have a current or expired passport or other accepted travel document, have not travelled in or out of Australia since July 1990, are applying for a fee exemption or are claiming an Australian Defence Force residence exemption.
Applicants aged 18 to 59 using the general eligibility paper pathway generally use Form 1300t.
How much does Australian citizenship by conferral cost?
A citizenship application fee is payable unless an exemption applies. The Department of Home Affairs publishes the current amount in Form 1298i, Citizenship application fees.
Citizenship fees are subject to annual indexation and the Department states that they usually increase on 1 July. Because of this, applicants should always check the current Form 1298i immediately before submitting and paying for the application.
A child aged 15 or younger included on the same application as a responsible parent is not charged an additional citizenship application fee. Concession fees and fee exemptions are available in specified circumstances.
Do permanent residents need an English test such as IELTS for citizenship?
The citizenship by conferral process does not normally require applicants to submit a separate IELTS, PTE or other visa-style English test result.
Instead, most applicants aged 18 to 59 demonstrate the required basic knowledge of English through the Australian citizenship test. The citizenship test itself is conducted in English.
What is the Australian citizenship test?
Most citizenship by conferral applicants aged between 18 and 59 attend a citizenship appointment and sit the citizenship test.
The test contains 20 multiple-choice questions and you have 45 minutes to complete it. It assesses knowledge of Australia, Australian citizenship, government and law, democratic beliefs, rights and liberties and Australian values.
What score do you need to pass the citizenship test?
To pass, you must answer all 5 Australian values questions correctly and achieve an overall score of at least 15 correct answers out of 20, which is 75 percent.
Is the citizenship test in English?
Yes. The official citizenship test is conducted in English only. Passing it demonstrates, among other things, a basic knowledge of the English language.
The Department provides the Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond resource booklet, practice test, podcast and other preparation materials. The booklet is available in English and multiple community languages, although the actual test remains in English.
Who may not need to sit the citizenship test?
Some applicants do not sit the standard citizenship test and may instead have an interview or be assessed under another citizenship pathway. This can include applicants outside the standard 18 to 59 age group and people who qualify under certain incapacity provisions.
Applicants should follow the pathway shown by the Department for their age and circumstances rather than assuming the standard test rules apply.
How long does Australian citizenship by conferral take?
The Department does not guarantee one fixed processing period. Citizenship processing times are published and updated monthly because the time required depends on the individual application and current caseload.
An application may take longer if information is incomplete, required documents are missing, additional information is requested or the Department needs extra time to verify details.
The citizenship appointment itself may occur several months after the application is lodged. After approval, there can also be a separate wait for a citizenship ceremony.
Can you travel overseas while your citizenship application is being processed?
You can travel while your application is being processed, but you must continue to meet your visa and citizenship requirements. In most cases, the Department cannot approve a citizenship by conferral application while you are outside Australia.
You should notify the Department about planned overseas travel while your application or ceremony is pending. You must also make sure your current visa allows you to return to Australia. If the travel facility on your permanent visa has expired or is about to expire, you may need a Resident Return visa.
What happens after you submit the application?
Monitor ImmiAccount for updates and requests from the Department. You may be asked to provide additional documents or original documents.
You must also notify the Department if relevant circumstances change after application, including changes to your name, email address, telephone number, residential or postal address or information about children included in the application.
What happens at the citizenship appointment?
Most applicants aged 18 to 59 receive an appointment letter inviting them to attend a citizenship appointment and sit the test. The appointment also allows the Department to confirm your identity and information provided in the application.
Bring the documents identified in your appointment notice. If you pass the test, assessment of your application continues. Passing the test does not itself mean your citizenship application has been approved.
What happens when Australian citizenship is approved?
The Department sends the decision in writing. If approved, most citizenship by conferral applicants must complete one final step by attending a citizenship ceremony and making the Australian Citizenship Pledge.
If you are not required to make the pledge, you become an Australian citizen on the date the application is approved and the Department sends your citizenship certificate.
How does the citizenship ceremony work?
Citizenship ceremonies are commonly organised by local government councils. The council responsible for your ceremony is generally determined by your residential address, and applicants cannot normally choose their ceremony date or location.
The invitation is generally sent about 4 weeks before the ceremony. Ceremony waiting times vary between local government areas and are separate from the time taken to assess and approve the citizenship application.
At the ceremony, applicants who are required to do so make the Australian Citizenship Pledge. You receive your citizenship certificate after making the pledge and becoming an Australian citizen.
How long do you have to make the citizenship pledge?
If you are required to make the pledge, you generally need to do so within 12 months after the citizenship application is approved. The Department can cancel an approval if the pledge is not made within the required period, subject to the applicable law and circumstances.
What if your citizenship application is refused?
If the Department refuses your application, it sends a written decision explaining the reasons. The decision letter also explains whether you can seek review by the Administrative Review Tribunal, where to lodge the review application and the applicable time limit.
What can you do after becoming an Australian citizen?
After you become a citizen and receive your citizenship certificate, you can use the certificate as evidence of Australian citizenship. You can then apply separately for an Australian passport if you want one. Passport applications are not part of the citizenship by conferral process.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need to be a permanent resident before applying for Australian citizenship?
Under the general residence requirement, you must normally have lived in Australia on a valid visa for the 4 years immediately before applying and have held a permanent visa or eligible Special Category subclass 444 visa for the final 12 months.
How many days can I be outside Australia before applying for citizenship?
You must generally have been outside Australia for no more than 12 months in total during the 4 years immediately before applying, including no more than 90 days during the final 12 months.
Can New Zealand citizens apply directly for Australian citizenship?
Yes. New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category subclass 444 visa can apply directly for citizenship by conferral if they meet the citizenship requirements. They do not need to obtain a separate permanent visa first.
Do I need IELTS for Australian citizenship?
Most citizenship by conferral applicants do not need to provide an IELTS or similar English test result. Most applicants aged 18 to 59 demonstrate basic English knowledge through the citizenship test, which is conducted in English.
What score do I need to pass the Australian citizenship test?
You must answer all 5 Australian values questions correctly and score at least 15 out of 20 overall, equivalent to 75 percent.
How many questions are in the Australian citizenship test?
The test has 20 multiple-choice questions and you have 45 minutes to complete it.
What documents do I need for Australian citizenship by conferral?
The required documents depend on your circumstances but commonly include identity and travel documents, a photograph, evidence of name changes and any required character, residence or child-related evidence. ImmiAccount gives you the document requirements for your application.
Do I need an overseas police certificate for Australian citizenship?
You may need one if, after turning 18 and while holding permanent residence, you spent a total of at least 12 months outside Australia and at least 90 days in one country, or if the Department specifically requests one.
Can I apply for Australian citizenship online?
Yes. Most eligible applicants can apply and pay online using ImmiAccount. Some applicants must use a paper application because of their documents, fee exemption or other specific circumstances.
How much is the Australian citizenship application fee?
A fee applies and is published by the Department of Home Affairs in Form 1298i. Citizenship fees are indexed and usually change on 1 July, so check the current official fee schedule immediately before applying.
How long does Australian citizenship by conferral take?
There is no guaranteed fixed processing period. The Department updates citizenship processing times monthly. Your total wait can include application assessment, the citizenship appointment and a separate ceremony waiting period after approval.
Can I leave Australia while my citizenship application is being processed?
Yes, but you must maintain valid permission to return to Australia and should notify the Department of planned travel. In most cases, the Department cannot approve the application while you are outside Australia.
Does passing the citizenship test mean my application is approved?
No. Passing the test is one part of the assessment. The Department continues assessing your eligibility, character and other requirements before making a decision.
Do I become an Australian citizen as soon as my application is approved?
Most citizenship by conferral applicants do not become citizens until they attend a citizenship ceremony and make the Australian Citizenship Pledge. Applicants who are not required to make the pledge become citizens on approval.
How long after approval is the citizenship ceremony?
Ceremony waiting times vary by local council and demand. The Department states that applicants are generally sent an invitation around 4 weeks before the ceremony.
Official sources
Department of Home Affairs - Become an Australian citizen by conferral for permanent residents and New Zealand SCV holdersDepartment of Home Affairs - Citizenship application fees Form 1298iDepartment of Home Affairs - Citizenship testDepartment of Home Affairs - Prepare for the citizenship testDepartment of Home Affairs - Australian Citizenship Our Common BondDepartment of Home Affairs - Citizenship processing timesDepartment of Home Affairs - Citizenship ceremony wait timesDepartment of Home Affairs - New Zealand citizens and their familyRelated procedures
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