Most applicants apply for Australian citizenship by conferral. The process generally involves confirming eligibility (including residence and character requirements), preparing and uploading supporting documents, lodging the application online, completing any requests from the Department of Home Affairs, attending an interview/appointment (where required), and sitting the citizenship test (if applicable). If approved, you’ll be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony where citizenship is formally granted.

We provide end-to-end support and work with you at every stage—eligibility assessment, tailored document checklist, review of travel and residence history, preparation of submissions and supporting statements, quality-checking your evidence before lodgement, responding to requests for further information, and preparing you for the interview/test and next steps through to approval and ceremony.

Citizenship by conferral (most common)

This is the standard pathway for eligible permanent residents (and some New Zealand SCV holders) who meet the residence and character requirements. Most applicants aged 18–59 must sit the citizenship test and attend a citizenship ceremony to become a citizen along in meeting character requirement and evidence close ties to Australia.

 In addition, applicant will need to demonstrate that he/she meets Residency requirements:

• have been living in Australia on a valid visa for 4 years immediately before the day you apply
• hold a permanent visa or an SCV for the last 12 months immediately before the day you apply and
• not have been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in total in the past 4 years, including no more than 90 days in total in the 12 months immediately before applying.

Citizenship by descent

If you were born outside Australia and at least one parent was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship by descent. This pathway is document-based and usually does not involve a test or ceremony in the same way as conferral.

You may be eligible to apply if you were born outside Australia and, at the time of your birth, one or both of your parents was an Australian citizen.

If your parent became an Australian citizen by descent, or by adoption outside Australia under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption or a bilateral arrangement, they must have lived lawfully in Australia for at least 2 years before you lodge your application.

If you are 18 years of age or older at the time you apply, you must also meet the good character requirement.

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is general information only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. It does not take into account your personal circumstances. Accessing or using this information does not create a client–lawyer (solicitor–client) relationship.