Question 1

How long after getting PR can I apply for Australian citizenship?

Accepted Answer

You can apply for Australian citizenship by conferral when you have been lawfully present in Australia for 4 years immediately before applying, including at least 12 months as a permanent resident immediately before applying. You must also not have been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in total during the 4-year period, and not more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before applying. In practice, most PR holders become eligible approximately 4 years after their PR grant date, assuming they have lived mainly in Australia.

Question 2

How many days can I be outside Australia and still get citizenship?

Accepted Answer

You can be absent from Australia for a maximum of 12 months in total during the 4-year period immediately before your application. Additionally, in the 12 months immediately before you apply, you must not have been absent for more than 90 days. If you have exceeded either limit, you must wait until you meet both requirements before applying. Days that count towards Australian presence include any day you were physically in Australia, regardless of your visa status at the time.

Question 3

How much does Australian citizenship cost in 2026?

Accepted Answer

The Australian citizenship by conferral application fee is AUD $490 for adults (18 and over) as of 2026. There is no additional fee for the citizenship test or the citizenship ceremony. Children under 18 included in a parent's application pay a reduced fee. There is no fee for Australian citizens applying to include a child born overseas in their citizenship.

Question 4

What is on the Australian citizenship test?

Accepted Answer

The Australian citizenship test consists of 20 multiple choice questions. You must answer at least 15 correctly (75%) to pass. The test covers three areas: Australian values (democracy, freedom, rule of law, equal rights), Australian government and history (Federation, constitution, levels of government), and your rights and responsibilities as a citizen. The test is administered by DHA at citizenship interview appointments. Free practice tests are available at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. The test is in English and must be completed without assistance.

Question 5

Do I need to speak English to become an Australian citizen?

Accepted Answer

Applicants aged 18-59 must sit the citizenship test, which is administered in English. There is no separate English language test requirement — passing the citizenship test itself (15/20 correct answers) demonstrates sufficient English. Applicants aged 60 and over, and children under 18, are exempt from the test. Applicants with certain permanent incapacities may also be exempt. Interpreter assistance is not permitted during the test.

Question 6

Can I have dual citizenship in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Australia allows dual citizenship — you can become an Australian citizen without renouncing your original citizenship under Australian law. However, your home country's laws determine whether you can retain your original citizenship. India does not permit dual citizenship — Indian citizens who become Australian citizens must surrender their Indian passport and apply for an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card. China does not recognise dual citizenship. The Philippines, Pakistan, and most other countries allow dual citizenship. Always check your home country's laws before applying.

Question 7

How long does the citizenship application take to process?

Accepted Answer

Australian citizenship by conferral applications currently take approximately 13-18 months to process from lodgement to citizenship ceremony. Processing includes document review, identity verification, the citizenship interview and test, and scheduling the citizenship ceremony. Processing times vary significantly. After approval, you are invited to a citizenship ceremony where you take the pledge of commitment. You receive your citizenship certificate at the ceremony and can apply for an Australian passport immediately afterwards.

Question 8

Can New Zealand citizens apply for Australian citizenship?

Accepted Answer

Yes. From 1 July 2023, New Zealand citizens who have been living in Australia on a Special Category Visa (SCV 444) for 4 or more years became eligible to apply for Australian citizenship directly — without first applying for permanent residency. The same residency rules apply: 4 years total presence, 12 months as an SCV holder immediately before applying, no more than 12 months total absence in 4 years, and no more than 90 days absence in the final 12 months.

Question 9

What happens at the Australian citizenship ceremony?

Accepted Answer

The citizenship ceremony is the final step in becoming an Australian citizen. You attend a ceremony organised by your local council or DHA, where you make the Australian Citizenship Pledge of Commitment. The ceremony is typically a group event. You receive your citizenship certificate at the ceremony. You can apply for an Australian passport immediately after the ceremony. Ceremonies are usually scheduled within 3-6 months of your application being approved.

Question 10

Can I lose my Australian citizenship?

Accepted Answer

In most circumstances, you cannot lose Australian citizenship involuntarily once granted by conferral. However, Australian citizenship can be revoked in specific circumstances: if it was obtained by fraud or misrepresentation; for citizens who acquired citizenship before 4 April 2002 and who acquired another citizenship voluntarily; and for certain dual nationals who engage in conduct seriously prejudicial to Australia (terrorism-related offences). Children born to Australian citizens are Australian citizens by descent regardless of where they are born.

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. See Section 3 below.
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 — only time on a substantive visa or as a PR counts.

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. Time on a bridging visa counts if you were in Australia on the bridging visa.
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 from your PR grant date.
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 — satisfying one but not the other means you are not yet eligible.

Who qualifies	NZ citizens who are in Australia on an SCV 444 and 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	NZ citizens who arrived before 26 February 2001 were already eligible under existing rules. This change primarily benefits those who arrived after that date 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 affecting their ability to understand the test.
Format	20 multiple choice questions. Must answer at least 15 correctly (75%) to pass. No time limit is officially stated — 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. You cannot sit the test separately — it is part of the interview process.
If you fail	You can resit the test. DHA will advise you when and how to resit. There is no limit on resits but repeated failure may affect your application timeline.
Practice tests	Free official practice tests at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. The official resource booklet "Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond" contains all the material you need to study.

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 Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card — a lifetime visa that allows visa-free entry to India and most citizen rights except voting and certain property ownership.
China	Does NOT recognise dual citizenship. Chinese law considers Chinese citizens who naturalise elsewhere to have automatically lost Chinese citizenship. Practically, this means surrendering your Chinese passport. There is no equivalent of the Indian OCI card.
Pakistan	Pakistan allows dual citizenship for people who acquire citizenship of specified countries. Australia is on the list. 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 after becoming Australian citizens 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. There is no equivalent of the OCI card.
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 and enforcement varies. Seek specific legal advice.
UK, USA, Canada, EU	Generally permit dual citizenship. Verify with your specific country's embassy.

Australian Citizenship Requirements 2026 —
Eligibility Calculator

Who Can Apply for Australian Citizenship?

The Residency Requirement — Breaking Down the Rules

Australian Citizenship for New Zealand Citizens

The Citizenship Test — What to Expect

Dual Citizenship — Can You Keep Your Other Passport?

Rights and Responsibilities of Australian Citizens

Your Migration Journey

Australian passport	Apply immediately after the citizenship ceremony. Valid for 10 years for adults. One of the world's strongest passports — 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. Failure to vote without a valid reason results in a fine.
Jury duty	Eligible (and required) to serve on a jury when called. You can apply for exemption in certain circumstances.
Centrelink without waiting	Access to most Centrelink payments without the usual waiting periods that apply to PR holders. Medicare eligibility is enhanced.
Right to stand for parliament	You can stand for federal and state parliament. Australian citizens only (not PR holders) can become parliamentarians.
No immigration restrictions	You can leave and return to Australia indefinitely. No return conditions, no re-entry permits required.
Sponsor family members	Australian citizens can sponsor parent visas and other family visas not available to PR holders.

Australian Citizenship Requirements 2026 —Eligibility Calculator