By conferral · Other
Australian citizenship.
Australian citizenship is the final step in the migration journey — the point at which Australia becomes not just where you live, but where you belong. Citizenship by conferral is the most common pathway for permanent residents who have built a life here.
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About the australian citizenship
Australian citizenship by conferral is not a visa — it is a legal status granted under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007. To become a citizen by conferral, an applicant must meet residency, character and knowledge requirements, and then attend a citizenship ceremony to make the Australian Citizenship Pledge. It is only at that ceremony — not at the point of approval — that citizenship is formally conferred.
To be eligible, you must have been lawfully present in Australia on a valid visa for 4 years immediately before your application date. For at least 12 of those months you must have held a permanent visa. In the 12 months immediately before you apply, you must not have been outside Australia for more than 90 days in total, and across the full 4-year period you must not have been absent for more than 12 months in aggregate. The Department provides a residence calculator to help applicants work through their specific dates, but the calculations can be complex — particularly where periods of temporary status, travel or visa transitions are involved.
Most applicants aged 18–59 must also sit the Australian citizenship test. The test is conducted in English and is based on the official resource booklet, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. It assesses knowledge of Australia's history, values, government, democratic institutions and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. A score of 75 per cent or higher is required to pass. Applicants must also satisfy the good character requirement. This involves a national police check and a broader assessment of conduct. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant, but certain serious offences — particularly those resulting in a sentence of 12 months or more imprisonment — attract additional scrutiny or may bar an application entirely.
There are several categories with different or simplified requirements. Children under 16 included in a parent's application do not sit the citizenship test and do not make the pledge. Applicants aged 60 and over, and those with a permanent hearing, speech or sight impairment, are exempt from the test. Partners of Australian citizens who are permanent residents may apply on the standard pathway. New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) have had access to a direct citizenship pathway since 1 July 2023 — they can apply for citizenship without first obtaining a permanent visa, provided they meet the 4-year lawful residence and absence requirements. Children born in Australia on or after 1 July 2022 to an SCV holder may acquire Australian citizenship automatically at birth. Children adopted outside Australia by an Australian citizen under the Hague Adoption Convention or a bilateral arrangement may also be eligible for citizenship through a separate pathway.
A registered migration agent can be valuable at several points in a citizenship application. The residency calculations — particularly where an applicant has moved between temporary and permanent visas, spent time outside Australia for work or family reasons, or holds an SCV — are among the most common sources of delay or refusal. Agents can also advise on character issues before an application is lodged, help assemble a complete and accurate application, and navigate special circumstances such as ministerial discretion requests or children's applications. For NZ citizens using the direct pathway, the rules around what counts as lawful residence under an SCV require careful interpretation. Because citizenship confers permanent, irrevocable status, errors in an application can have lasting consequences — including future implications for travel documents and eligibility for public office.
Reviewed by MIGI editorial team
Frequently asked questions
What are the residency requirements for Australian citizenship?
You must have been lawfully present in Australia on a valid visa for 4 years immediately before you apply. During that period you must have held a permanent visa (or, for NZ citizens, a Special Category Visa) for at least the final 12 months. You must not have been absent from Australia for more than 12 months across the full 4 years, and for no more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before your application date. Both absence limits must be met — staying within the 4-year total does not override the 90-day final-year limit. The Department's residence calculator is a useful starting point, but if your situation involves visa transitions or significant travel it is worth getting professional advice before you apply.
What is the Australian citizenship test?
The test is a computer-based assessment conducted in English, covering Australia's history, values, system of government, and the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship. All questions are drawn from the official resource booklet, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, which is freely available on the Home Affairs website in English and other languages. You need a score of at least 75 per cent to pass. Most applicants aged 18–59 are required to sit the test. Applicants aged 60 or over, and those with a permanent hearing, speech or sight impairment, are exempt. Children under 16 are also exempt.
Can New Zealand citizens apply for Australian citizenship directly?
Yes. Since 1 July 2023, New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) can apply for Australian citizenship without first obtaining a permanent resident visa. To be eligible, you must have been lawfully present in Australia for 4 years, held the SCV for the final 12 months, and met the absence requirements (no more than 90 days outside Australia in the final year, no more than 12 months total in the 4-year period). You must also have arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001. Children born in Australia on or after 1 July 2022 to an SCV holder may acquire citizenship at birth. The rules around what qualifies as lawful residence under an SCV are specific, and a migration agent can help you confirm your dates before you apply.
What if I have a criminal record — can I still become a citizen?
Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from Australian citizenship, but the good character requirement is assessed carefully. The Department considers the nature, seriousness and recency of any offences, any sentences served, and evidence of rehabilitation. Certain serious offences — particularly those where a sentence of 12 months or more imprisonment was imposed — attract heightened scrutiny or may bar an application under the Australian Citizenship Act. If you have any criminal history, it is worth speaking with a registered migration agent before you apply, as the character assessment can have a significant bearing on outcomes and timing.
Can a migration agent help with a citizenship application?
Yes. A registered migration agent can help you confirm whether you meet the residency requirements, assist with the calculation of absences and lawful residence periods, prepare and lodge your application, and advise on character issues or special circumstances before they become problems. Agents are particularly useful where an applicant has complex travel history, has moved between visa subclasses, is applying via the NZ direct pathway, or is including children in an application. Citizenship is permanent and irrevocable — getting the application right the first time matters.
