Australian citizenship gives you the right to vote, hold an Australian passport, access full consular assistance overseas, and enjoy the complete rights and protections of Australian law. For permanent residents who have built their lives in Australia, citizenship is the natural next step.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for Australian citizenship by conferral (the standard pathway), you must:
- Be a permanent resident — you must hold a permanent visa at the time of application and at the time of decision
- Meet the residence requirement — lived in Australia on a valid visa for at least 4 years, including at least 12 months as a permanent resident
- Not been absent from Australia for more than 12 months total during the 4-year period, including no more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before application
- Be of good character — assessed through police checks and declaration
- Have a basic knowledge of English
- Know the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship — demonstrated through the citizenship test
- Intend to live in or maintain a close and continuing association with Australia
The citizenship test
The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official resource book "Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond." You must answer at least 15 correctly (75%) to pass, including all 5 questions in the "Australian values" section.
Topics covered include:
- Australia's democratic beliefs, rights, and liberties
- Australian government and the law
- Australian values (these questions must ALL be answered correctly)
- Australian history and symbols
The test is conducted in English at a DHA office. If you fail, you can retake it — there is no limit on attempts, though you must wait before rescheduling.
Who is exempt from the test?
- Applicants aged 60 or over
- Applicants under 18
- People with significant hearing, speech, or sight impairment
- People with a permanent or enduring physical or mental incapacity
Exempt applicants may instead attend an interview where their understanding of citizenship is assessed.
The citizenship ceremony
After your application is approved and you pass the test, you must attend a citizenship ceremony to make the Australian Citizenship Pledge. This is usually held at a local council ceremony. You are not a citizen until you make the pledge — approval alone is not enough.
Ceremonies are typically held on or around Australia Day (26 January), Australian Citizenship Day (17 September), and at regular intervals throughout the year.
Dual citizenship
Australia allows dual citizenship. You do not need to renounce your existing citizenship to become Australian. However, your home country may have different rules — some countries do not allow dual citizenship and may revoke your original citizenship if you take up Australian citizenship. Check your home country's laws before applying.
Costs and processing times
- Application fee: $490 (adults), no charge for children under 16 applying with a parent
- Processing time: Varies significantly — typically 8-18 months, though some applications take longer
Common issues
- Excessive absences — the 12-month absence limit catches many frequent travellers. Track your travel carefully.
- Permanent visa expired — your permanent visa must be current at the time of decision. If your travel facility has expired, you may need to apply for a Resident Return Visa.
- Character issues — any criminal convictions, even minor ones, must be disclosed and can delay or prevent citizenship.
Australian citizenship is the culmination of the migration journey. If you're approaching eligibility, start tracking your residency days and travel absences now — there's nothing worse than discovering you're 10 days short of the requirement after you've already applied.