Citizenship and residence · Citizenship
Australian citizenship by conferral
For permanent residents who meet the residence, character and test requirements.
Who it is for
Permanent residents (and New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category visa) aged 18 to 59 under general eligibility. Other forms apply for children, people 60 and over and some others.
Key eligibility
- General residence requirement: 4 years living in Australia on a valid visa immediately before applying, including 12 months as a permanent resident, with no more than 12 months away in total and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. Use the Home Affairs Residence Calculator.
- Good character if 18 or over.
- Most applicants sit the citizenship test: pass mark 75% and all five Australian values questions correct.
- A close and continuing link with Australia.
Where to apply, and bridging visas
Usually in Australia.
Your journey, step by step
Check your dates
Use the Residence Calculator and your travel records.
How a registered migration agent helps: calculates residence accurately.
Apply online
Lodge Form 1300t and pay the fee. Children 15 and under are included free.
How a registered migration agent helps: reviews character risks.
Appointment and test
Identity check, original documents and the test.
How a registered migration agent helps: explains what to bring.
Decision and ceremony
Citizenship starts when you make the pledge.
How a registered migration agent helps: helps with review if refused.
After
Australian passport and voting.
The Department of Home Affairs makes every decision. No one can promise a grant, an invitation or a faster decision.
Government charges from 1 July 2026
| Applicant or item | Charge |
|---|---|
| General eligibility | A$595 |
| Pensioner Concession Card holders | A$85 |
| Children under 16 on a parent's application | Nil |
| Other situations | A$365 |
Health checks, police certificates, translations, skills assessments and English tests are extra and paid to the provider. Our professional fee is separate and quoted in writing. Estimate total charges for your family.
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026, read 22 October 2026. Confirm in the Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.
Processing times
Source: Home Affairs citizenship processing times, read 22 October 2026. Check the current guide. A guide only; times change monthly and are not a promise.
Common refusal risks
- Residence not met, often from miscounted absences.
- Character, including false information in earlier visa applications.
- Failing the test three times.
- Identity issues.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience, not Department statistics.
Document checklist
Tick items as you collect them. Ticks are saved in this browser only and are not sent to us. This is a general list; the Department may ask for more.
0 of 0 collected
The Immigration Worldwide. Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130. General information, checked 22 October 2026.
Recent changes
The general eligibility fee is A$595.
Sources and checks
- Home Affairs: become a citizen
- Home Affairs: citizenship processing times
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your situation. Australian advice is given by Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130.
Talk it through. The first 15 minutes are free and general. Personal advice starts only after a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.