Check if you are eligible, calculate your residency days, see exactly when you qualify and what to do next. The final milestone in your migration journey.
Australian citizenship by conferral is available to permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens who meet the residency, character, and other requirements. It is the final milestone in the Australian migration journey — after citizenship, you have all the rights of Australian-born citizens including an Australian passport and the right to vote.
| Permanent residents | The main pathway. Must meet the 4-year residency requirement including 12 months as a PR. Applies to all PR visa holders — 189, 190, 491 (after becoming 191), partner visa (801/100), employer-sponsored (186/187), humanitarian visas. |
| NZ citizens (SCV 444) | From 1 July 2023, eligible NZ citizens living in Australia on a Special Category Visa can apply directly for citizenship without first obtaining PR. Same residency rules apply. |
| Children under 18 | A child can be included in a parent's citizenship application. Children born to Australian citizens overseas can acquire citizenship by descent through a separate process. |
| Not eligible | Temporary visa holders (including bridging visa holders), students on 500 visas, and most people without PR. Holding a bridging visa does not count as lawful time towards the residency requirement. |
The residency requirement is where most people get confused. There are three separate conditions that must all be satisfied simultaneously.
| Condition 1 — 4 years lawful presence | You must have been lawfully present in Australia (on any visa including temporary visas, student visas, or as PR) for 4 years in the period immediately before you apply. |
| Condition 2 — 12 months as PR | Of the 4 years, the 12 months immediately before you apply must have been spent as a permanent resident (or eligible NZ citizen on SCV 444). This means you cannot apply for citizenship the moment you get PR — you must wait at least 12 months. |
| Condition 3 — Absence limits | In the 4-year period: maximum 12 months total absence. In the 12-month period immediately before applying: maximum 90 days absence. Both conditions must be met. |
From 1 July 2023, New Zealand citizens living in Australia on a Special Category Visa (SCV 444) became eligible to apply for Australian citizenship directly — without first needing to obtain permanent residency.
| Who qualifies | NZ citizens in Australia on an SCV 444 who have been living in Australia for 4 years or more, with at least 12 months as an SCV holder immediately before applying. |
| Same residency rules | The same 4-year/12-month/90-day absence rules apply. The SCV period counts as the equivalent of PR for the purposes of the residency requirement. |
| Character and other requirements | Same as other applicants — no substantial criminal record, English proficiency demonstrated through the citizenship test (if aged 18-59). |
| Previously ineligible NZ citizens | This change primarily benefits those who arrived after 26 February 2001 and have been living in Australia for years without access to citizenship. |
| Who must sit | Applicants aged 18–59. Exemptions for applicants 60 and over, children under 18, and applicants with permanent incapacities. |
| Format | 20 multiple choice questions. Must answer at least 15 correctly (75%) to pass. Most people complete it in 15–20 minutes. |
| Content areas | (1) Australian values — democracy, freedom, rule of law, equal rights; (2) Australian government — Federation, constitution, three levels of government, voting; (3) History — key dates, symbols, national anthem meaning. |
| Where it's taken | At your citizenship interview appointment at a DHA office. It is part of the interview process. |
| If you fail | You can resit the test. DHA will advise you when and how to resit. |
| Practice tests | Free official practice tests at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. The booklet "Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond" covers all test material. |
Australia allows dual citizenship. When you become an Australian citizen, you do not need to renounce your existing citizenship under Australian law. However, whether you can retain your original citizenship depends entirely on your home country's laws.
| India | Does NOT permit dual citizenship. Indian citizens who become Australian citizens must surrender their Indian passport within 30 days. They can apply for an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card. |
| China | Does NOT recognise dual citizenship. Chinese citizens who naturalise elsewhere automatically lose Chinese citizenship under Chinese law. |
| Pakistan | Pakistan allows dual citizenship with Australia. Pakistani citizens can retain their Pakistani citizenship and passport after becoming Australian citizens. |
| Philippines | Philippines allows dual citizenship. Filipino citizens can retain their Philippine citizenship by applying for reacquisition under RA 9225. |
| Nepal | Nepal does NOT permit dual citizenship. Nepali citizens who become Australian citizens are required to renounce Nepali citizenship. |
| Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka allows dual citizenship subject to approval from the Sri Lankan government. |
| Vietnam | Vietnam law generally does not permit dual citizenship but there are exceptions. Seek specific legal advice. |
| UK, USA, Canada, EU | Generally permit dual citizenship. Verify with your specific country's embassy. |
| Australian passport | Apply immediately after the citizenship ceremony. Valid for 10 years for adults. Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 185+ countries. |
| Voting | Compulsory voting in federal and state elections. You must enrol to vote within 8 weeks of becoming a citizen. |
| Jury duty | Eligible (and required) to serve on a jury when called. |
| Centrelink without waiting | Access to most Centrelink payments without the usual waiting periods that apply to PR holders. |
| Right to stand for parliament | Australian citizens only (not PR holders) can become parliamentarians. |
| No immigration restrictions | You can leave and return to Australia indefinitely with no return conditions required. |
| Sponsor family members | Australian citizens can sponsor parent visas and other family visas not available to PR holders. |