Australian Citizenship by Conferral: Complete 2026 Application Guide

The Residence Requirement: What Counts?

To be eligible for citizenship by conferral, you must have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for a specific period. The general residence requirement is: 4 years of lawful residence in Australia immediately before lodging the application. Of those 4 years: at least 12 months must be as an Australian permanent resident (a temporary visa period alone does not satisfy the 12-month PR component). You can also count time in Australia on temporary visas toward the 4-year total — for example, if you held a student visa for 2 years and then a PR visa for 2 years, the total 4 years may be satisfied (with the 12 months as PR condition met). Absences from Australia are allowed — you can be away from Australia for up to 12 months in total during the 4-year period, with no more than 90 days in the year immediately before applying. Absences are calculated precisely. The Department will review your travel history from your passport and immigration records.

Who Is a Prohibited Person?

Certain people are prohibited from being granted citizenship regardless of residence: people who have been sentenced to a period of imprisonment of 12 months or more; people who are subject to a good behaviour bond for an offence; people who are currently serving a sentence of imprisonment; people with particular national security concerns. Additionally, character requirements apply. The Department assesses character based on criminal history (Australian and overseas), migration history, and national security considerations. A single criminal conviction does not necessarily bar citizenship, but serious offences, repeated offences, or offences involving national security concerns will be scrutinised. A migration agent or immigration lawyer can advise on how your specific circumstances will be assessed.

The Australian Citizenship Test

Most applicants aged 18–59 must pass a citizenship test before the application is approved. The test: is conducted at an approved testing centre or online (in some circumstances); consists of 20 multiple-choice questions; requires a minimum of 75% correct (15 out of 20) to pass; covers Australian values, history, government, and rights and responsibilities of citizens; is based on the Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond resource, which is freely available. The test is not difficult for most applicants who spend a few hours studying the resource. If you fail the test, you can retake it. Children under 18 and people aged 60 or over are generally exempt from the test. People with significant cognitive impairment or who cannot understand the nature of the test may also be exempt.

The Citizenship Pledge and Ceremony

Once your application is approved, you are invited to attend a citizenship ceremony where you make the Australian Citizenship Pledge. The pledge is a public declaration of your commitment to Australia and its values. Citizenship ceremonies are typically held by your local council and occur regularly throughout the year. You must attend a ceremony to receive your citizenship — approval alone does not confer citizenship. The ceremony date is not set by you — councils schedule them at their own pace, typically monthly. Once you make the pledge at the ceremony, you are an Australian citizen and can apply for an Australian passport immediately (usually processing in 2–3 weeks for standard applications).

Citizenship for Children

Children born in Australia to an Australian citizen or permanent resident are generally not automatically Australian citizens — citizenship at birth requires at least one parent to be a citizen or permanent resident at the time of the child's birth. Children can apply for citizenship by conferral (same as adults) or, if born in Australia and a parent becomes a citizen before the child turns 10, citizenship can be registered by descent in some circumstances. Children under 16 do not need to take the citizenship test and do not attend the ceremony — their citizenship is registered and documented separately. For children born overseas to Australian citizens, citizenship by descent is a separate pathway with its own rules. Seeking advice from a registered migration agent is advisable for complex family citizenship situations.

Can I lose my Australian citizenship?

Yes, in limited circumstances. An Australian citizen can renounce their citizenship voluntarily. Citizenship can also be revoked in cases involving terrorism-related convictions or fraud in the citizenship application.

Can I hold dual citizenship as an Australian citizen?

Yes. Australia permits dual (or multiple) citizenship. Whether you can hold dual citizenship depends on your other country's laws — some countries require you to renounce citizenship upon acquiring another country's citizenship. Check your home country's rules before applying.

Do I need a migration agent to apply for citizenship?

Not legally required. The citizenship application (Form 1300t for general eligibility) is straightforward compared to visa applications. However, for complex situations (criminal history, long absences, dual nationality complications, child citizenship issues), an agent or immigration lawyer adds value.

How long does citizenship processing take?

Current processing times for citizenship by conferral vary. As of 2026, processing times are typically 12–24 months from lodgement to invitation to ceremony. Complex cases (character issues, long absence calculations, offshore applications) take longer.