Reviewed by a registered migration agent ·
MARN 1795282
Updated
Citizenship by conferral is how most permanent residents become Australian citizens. You can generally apply once you have lived in Australia for 4 years on a valid visa, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, with limited time overseas. Most adults then sit a 20-question citizenship test, and you become a citizen at a ceremony. From 1 July 2026 the fee is A$595 for most applicants, and Home Affairs reports that 90% of applications are decided within 5 months.
Am I eligible for citizenship by conferral?
For the general eligibility pathway you must:
- be a permanent resident when you apply and when the decision is made;
- meet the general residence requirement (below);
- be of good character, if you are 18 or over;
- have a basic knowledge of English and of Australia (shown through the test, for applicants 18 to 59); and
- be likely to live in Australia or keep a close and continuing association with it.
The 4-year residence requirement
Section 22 of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 requires that, immediately before you apply, you:
- were present in Australia for 4 years, and not as an unlawful non-citizen at any time in that period;
- were a permanent resident for the last 12 months; and
- were away from Australia for no more than 12 months in total in the 4 years, including no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
Time on a bridging visa or another temporary visa counts towards the 4 years, but not towards the 12 months as a permanent resident. Time in prison generally does not count. The Minister has limited discretion in some situations, for example an administrative error by the Department, significant hardship, or the partner of an Australian citizen. Special residence rules also apply to some elite athletes and people whose work requires regular travel overseas.
How much does Australian citizenship cost in 2026?
| Applicant | Fee from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| General eligibility, aged 18–59 (sits the citizenship test) | A$595 |
| General eligibility with a pensioner concession card | A$85 |
| Aged 60 or over, or with a permanent incapacity or hearing, speech or sight impairment | A$365 |
| Same, with a pensioner concession card | A$40 |
| Child aged 16 or 17 applying on their own | A$365 |
| Child under 16 included on a parent's application | No fee |
Source: Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016, Schedule 3 (indexed each 1 July; the general fee was A$575 in 2025–26). Sitting the citizenship test costs nothing extra.
What is the Australian citizenship test?
Most applicants aged 18 to 59 sit the test at their appointment. It has 20 multiple-choice questions, you have 45 minutes, and you pass with at least 15 out of 20 (75%) provided you answer all 5 Australian values questions correctly. The questions are drawn from the official resource Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, which is available in 40 community languages. If you do not pass after three appointments, your application may be refused. Source: Home Affairs
You do not sit the test if you are 17 or younger or 60 or over when you apply, or have a permanent or enduring incapacity or a hearing, speech or sight impairment. You may be interviewed instead.
How long does citizenship by conferral take?
| Stage | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application to decision | 36 days | 42 days | 78 days | 5 months |
| Approval to ceremony | 71 days | 4 months | 5 months | 6 months |
| Application to ceremony | 5 months | 7 months | 8 months | 11 months |
Source: Home Affairs citizenship processing times (figures to 30 September 2026: 53,298 conferral applications on hand, 23,581 received in September). Ceremony waits vary by local council.
What happens at the citizenship ceremony?
Once approved, you are invited to a ceremony, usually about 4 weeks ahead, by your local council or Home Affairs. You become an Australian citizen on the day you make the Pledge of Commitment. You must make the pledge within 12 months of being notified of approval, or the approval can be cancelled. Children who were under 16 when they applied do not make the pledge. Source: Home Affairs
Can I keep my other citizenship?
Yes, as far as Australia is concerned: Australia allows dual citizenship. Some countries do not, so check the rules of your current country before you apply. Source: Home Affairs
How do you apply?
- Check the residence requirement. 4 years living in Australia on a valid visa immediately before you apply, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, with no more than 12 months away in total and no more than 90 days away in the last 12 months.
- Gather your documents. Identity documents, a photo, evidence of any name change, and overseas police certificates if you have spent 12 months or more overseas in total since turning 18 in the last 10 years (90 days or more in one country).
- Apply and pay the fee. Most applicants aged 18 to 59 apply online in ImmiAccount and pay A$595 when they lodge. Some applicants, including 16- and 17-year-olds and people claiming a concession, use the paper Form 1300t.
- Attend your appointment and sit the test. Home Affairs writes to you with the appointment date. Bring original photo ID. Most applicants aged 18 to 59 sit the citizenship test: 20 questions in 45 minutes, a pass mark of 15/20, and all 5 Australian values questions correct.
- Attend a ceremony and make the pledge. After approval you are invited to a ceremony, usually about 4 weeks ahead. You become an Australian citizen on the day you make the Pledge of Commitment, which must be within 12 months of being notified of approval.
Frequently asked questions
What is the residence requirement for Australian citizenship?
Under section 22 of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007, you must have lived in Australia for the 4 years immediately before you apply, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, and not have been an unlawful non-citizen in that time. Absences of no more than 12 months in total across the 4 years are allowed, including no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. Time on a bridging or other visa counts towards the 4 years but not towards the 12 months as a permanent resident.
How much does Australian citizenship cost in 2026?
From 1 July 2026 the citizenship by conferral fee is A$595 for most applicants aged 18 to 59, A$85 with a pensioner concession card, and A$365 for applicants aged 60 or over or with an incapacity or impairment. A child under 16 included on a parent's application is free. The fees are set in Schedule 3 of the Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016.
What is the Australian citizenship test like?
It has 20 multiple-choice questions and you have 45 minutes. You pass with at least 15 out of 20 (75%), and you must answer all 5 questions about Australian values correctly. It is based on the official resource "Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond" and costs nothing extra. If you do not pass after three appointments, your application may be refused.
Who does not need to sit the citizenship test?
Applicants aged 17 or younger or 60 or over when they apply, and people with a permanent or enduring incapacity or a hearing, speech or sight impairment. They may be interviewed instead.
How long does citizenship by conferral take?
Home Affairs reports that 90% of applications are processed within 5 months, and 90% of approved applicants can attend a ceremony within 6 months of approval. From application to ceremony, 50% take 7 months and 90% take 11 months (figures to 30 September 2026). Ceremony waits vary by local council.
Can I keep my other citizenship?
Australia allows dual citizenship. Whether you keep your current citizenship depends on the law of your other country, as some countries do not allow it.
Can my children become citizens with me?
A child under 16 who is a permanent resident can be included on your application at no fee and does not need to meet the residence requirement; they become a citizen when you do. A child aged 16 or 17 cannot be included and must apply separately (A$365), meet the residence requirement, and attend a ceremony, but does not sit the test.
What can stop a citizenship application?
Not meeting the residence requirement (most often because of time overseas), character concerns for applicants 18 and over, and gaps in identity evidence. By law, approval cannot be given while criminal charges are pending, while in prison, or within set periods after serious prison sentences.
Not a permanent resident yet? See the visas that lead to PR, such as the 186, 189 and partner visas. Born overseas to an Australian parent? See citizenship by descent.
Sources
- Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (sections 21, 22, 24–28)
- Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016, Schedule 3 (fees from 1 July 2026)
- Department of Home Affairs: Citizenship for permanent residents
- Department of Home Affairs: Learn about the citizenship test
- Department of Home Affairs: Citizenship processing times