Overview
Complete your migration journey
Most citizenship applicants must be a permanent resident (or an eligible New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category visa) and meet a residence requirement before applying. In general, this means having lived in Australia on a valid visa for the 4 years immediately before you apply, holding permanent residency (or an SCV) for the last 12 months of that period, and not having been outside Australia for more than 12 months in total over those 4 years, including no more than 90 days in the final 12 months before applying.
Beyond residence, you'll also need to meet character, knowledge, and (for most applicants) language requirements, plus show a close and continuing link to Australia. Most applicants aged 18 to 59 need to sit the citizenship test, which requires scoring 75% or higher and answering all five Australian values questions correctly.
We check your travel history against the residence requirement, prepare your application, and help you get test and interview ready.
Who this pathway is for
- Permanent residents (or eligible New Zealand SCV holders) meeting the residence requirement.
- Applicants unsure whether travel history affects their eligibility.
- Citizenship by descent, adoption, or resumption enquiries.
- Applicants preparing for the citizenship test.
- Parents wanting to include a dependent child aged 15 or under in their application.
Important updates you should know
- The citizenship test pass mark is 75% or higher, and you must also answer all five Australian values questions correctly missing even one values question means you don't meet the knowledge requirement regardless of your overall score.
- Absences matter precisely: no more than 12 months total outside Australia across the full 4-year period, and no more than 90 days in the 12 months right before you apply even short trips can add up and affect eligibility.
- A parent can include a dependent child aged 15 or younger in their own application at no extra cost, but children aged 16 or 17 must apply separately in their own right.
- New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa are treated as permanent residents for citizenship purposes, though special rules apply to when their "permanent residence" is considered to have started.
- Good character assessments look beyond criminal history the Department also considers court obligations, associations with people of concern, family violence history, and honesty in past dealings with immigration authorities.
- Citizenship application fees are reviewed and typically increase every 1 July, so it's worth checking the current fee schedule close to lodgement.
Key facts
Core requirementPermanent residency (or eligible SCV) plus the residence requirement.
Residence requirement4 years in Australia on a valid visa, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, with limited absences.
Character requirement Applies to all applicants aged 18 and over.
Citizenship testRequired for most applicants aged 18–59 pass mark is 75%, plus all 5 values questions correct.
CostSet out in the Department's official fee schedule; no extra cost for a dependent child aged 15 or under included on a parent's application; fees generally rise each 1 July.
OutcomeCitizenship ceremony upon approval.
Check my eligibility
