How to get Australian Citizenship
Apply for Australian citizenship by conferral, descent or NZ pathway. Intergate helps with eligibility, documents, tests & ceremony preparation.
- Licensed advice
- Evidence and timing
- Next step
Australian citizenship by conferral is available to permanent residents who have lived lawfully in Australia for four years, held permanent residence for at least 12 months, and meet absence and character requirements. Applicants aged 18 to 59 must pass the Australian citizenship test. Citizenship grants an Australian passport, unrestricted re-entry, and the right to vote.
Eligibility
- 01
Hold Australian permanent residence for at least 12 months
Before applying for citizenship by conferral, you must have held permanent residence for at least 12 months immediately before the application date. Time on a bridging visa does not count.
- 02
Four-year lawful residence with limited absences
You must have been lawfully in Australia for four years immediately before applying, with no more than 12 months total absence in that period and no more than 90 days absent in the final 12 months.
- 03
Genuine intention to reside or maintain close connection to Australia
Applicants must intend to live in Australia or, if working overseas, maintain a close and continuing connection to the country. This is assessed at the time of the citizenship ceremony, not just at lodgement.
- 04
Good character
All applicants aged 18 and over must be of good character. This covers criminal history, serious offences, and immigration compliance. Character concerns do not automatically disqualify but must be disclosed and addressed.
- 05
Pass the citizenship test if aged 18 to 59
Applicants between 18 and 59 must pass the Australian citizenship test, covering Australian values, history, and government. The test is taken online or at a Department office after approval in principle.
- 06
English language ability
There is no formal English test for citizenship by conferral, but applicants must be able to participate meaningfully in the ceremony and take the pledge. The Department may assess English ability if it is in doubt.
Mistakes that cost a refusal
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Miscalculating the four-year residence period by including time on temporary visas that does not count toward the lawful residence requirement.
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Applying before the 12-month permanent residence requirement is met, which results in an automatic refusal and loss of the application fee.
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Failing to disclose minor criminal convictions or spent offences; non-disclosure is treated more seriously than the underlying matter itself.
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Not tracking absence days precisely; applicants who have exceeded the 90-day absence threshold in the final 12 months must wait before applying.
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Assuming children are automatically included; children must be added explicitly, and each has their own eligibility assessment and, if old enough, their own test requirement.
From first call to grant
01 · 1 wk
Strategy
Residence-day calculation, absence audit, character disclosure review, and timing plan to confirm the earliest eligible application date.
02 · 2-3 wk
Documentation
Travel records, identity documents, police clearances, and statutory declarations compiled and verified.
03 · 1 wk
Application lodgement
Online application submitted to the Department of Home Affairs with all supporting documents.
04 · 6-18 mo
Test and approval
Citizenship test scheduled and passed (for applicants aged 18 to 59). Department reviews and approves the application.
05 · 1-3 mo
Ceremony and conferral
Invitation to a citizenship ceremony, pledge of commitment, and conferral of Australian citizenship.
What that buys you
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MARA-registered agents carry liability for residence calculations; errors in the four-year count are among the most common reasons citizenship applications are refused or delayed.
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Character disclosure strategy: agents advise on exactly what to disclose, how to frame it, and what supporting evidence reduces risk of an adverse decision.
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Edge cases including absences for humanitarian purposes, defence service, and New Zealand citizen fast-track pathways require specialist knowledge of exemptions that are easily missed.
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Agents manage timing to ensure the application is not lodged a day too early and that the 90-day absence cap in the final year is not inadvertently breached before lodgement.
We work on a transparent flat fee, quoted at the consultation. We do not publish prices because the right number is the case-specific one.
Why Become an Australian Citizen?
Australian citizenship grants the right to vote, an Australian passport, unrestricted re-entry, eligibility for government employment, and the ability to sponsor family members. It is also the only way to access full consular protection overseas.
Pathways to Citizenship
The most common route is citizenship by conferral for permanent residents. Additional pathways include citizenship by descent (for people born overseas to an Australian citizen parent), citizenship by adoption under Australian law, and a direct pathway for eligible New Zealand citizens resident in Australia since 1 July 2023. Each pathway has separate eligibility conditions; the conferral pathway requires the four-year lawful residence and 12-month permanent residence periods described above.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I hold dual citizenship after becoming Australian?
Australia permits dual citizenship; you do not need to renounce your existing citizenship when you become Australian. However, your home country's laws on dual nationality are a separate matter and you should verify whether your country of birth or existing citizenship permits it.
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Do my children automatically become citizens when I do?
No. Children who are permanent residents must be included in your application or apply separately. Children born in Australia after you become a citizen are Australian citizens by birth, but children already born and living overseas are not automatically conferred citizenship.
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How long does the process take from lodgement to ceremony?
Processing times vary significantly. As of recent periods, the Department targets approval within 12 months for most straightforward cases, but complex character matters or identity issues can extend this considerably. After approval, ceremony allocation can add a further one to three months depending on your local council.
Next step
Speak with a licensed advisor about your visa options.
A focused consultation routed to the right licensed advisor. Continue independently after the call, or proceed with us and have the consultation fee deducted from the service fee.