Overview of the Citizenship Test

Document requirements

Original documents must be provided.

Certified copies of the documents must also be provided with the application. The people who can certify documents are the same as those that can endorse photographs - see below. The person that certifies the documents does not have to be the same person who endorses the photograph and completes the proof of identity declaration on the application form. The original documents will be returned.

Note: If you are applying overseas and you provide copies of identity documents certified by an Australian consular officer or Australian Diplomatic officer you do not need to provide original documents with your application.

If documents are not in English, an official translation also must be provided. In Australia translations should be done by translators accredited by the National Accreditation Authority of Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
See: NAATI

The following documents will be required to support an application for Australian citizenship by conferral:

  • an endorsed passport size photograph – for full details on photograph requirements
    See: Endorsed photographs
  • a full birth certificate of the applicant or its equivalent
  • passport held; or if the applicant does not hold a passport – a document for travel to Australia or a visa for travel to Australia
  • all other passports held or travel documents or visas for travel to Australia
  • evidence of Australian permanent residence (in most circumstances this is the visa in the passport)
  • other identification documents which include a signature, photograph and correct address (such as driving licence and credit card/utilities bill)
  • Applicants will need to provide penal clearance certificates from overseas countries if, since the grant of a permanent Australian visa:
    • they lived or travelled overseas since the age of 18 years or over; and
    • the total time spent overseas added up to 12 months or more; and
    • the time spent in any one country was more than 3 months; or
    • requested to do so by the department

Information about how and where to obtain penal clearance certificates is available.
See: Character and Penal Clearance Requirements

You can also call the Citizenship Information Line.
Telephone: 131 880 (Australia only).

If applicable, official Australian evidence of any name change (such as an official change of name certificate issued by an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths or Marriages (RBDM) or a marriage certificate issued by an Australian RBDM.  Overseas marriage certificates are not acceptable evidence of a change of name).

If an applicant is a British subject who arrived in Australia before
1 January 1975 and they do not have evidence of entry to Australia, evidence that they were resident before that date (such as employment, taxation or school records).

To enquire about obtaining documentation before 1974 contact the National Archives of Australia.
See: National Archives of Australia
Telephone: 1300 886 881

If an applicant served in the permanent defence forces of Australia for at least ninety (90) days, their discharge papers or a letter from their employer in the Australian Defence Forces.

If an applicant completed full-time service as a member of the Australian Reserve Force for a period of, or periods amounting in the aggregate to, at least 6 months, their discharge papers or a letter from their employer in the reserve forces.

If an applicant is a New Zealand citizen who does not hold a permanent residence visa, they may need to provide a certificate issued by Centrelink stating that they were residing in Australia on a particular date
See: Social Security Rules for People Arriving from New Zealand Factsheet

Note: If a New Zealand citizen applicant without a permanent residence visa arrived in Australia before the age of 18 years and has not resided in New Zealand or elsewhere since, a penal clearance certificate is not required.

Otherwise an Applicant will need to provide penal clearance certificates from overseas countries if:

  • they lived or travelled overseas since the age of 18 years or over; and
  • the total time spent overseas added up to 12 months or more; and
  • the time spent in any one country was more than 3 months; or
  • requested to do so by the department

See: Character and Penal Clearance Requirements

You can also call the Citizenship Information Line.
Telephone: 131 880 (Australia only)

If applying on behalf of a child under 16 years of age, an applicant will also need:

  • an endorsed passport size photograph – for full details on photograph requirements
    See: Endorsed photographs
  • child’s passport which shows evidence of permanent residence
  • child’s full birth certificate, showing details of parents
  • if applicable, any orders related to the custody or parental responsibility of the child
  • if the child was adopted overseas, or in Australia but did not acquire Australian citizenship as a result of that adoption, the original adoption order, recognition or verification of the overseas adoption order or confirmation that the adoption has taken place under Australian law must be provided
  • if applicable, official evidence of any other names the child has been known by.

If applying on the basis of being born to a former Australian citizen who ceased to be an Australian citizen by virtue of section 17 of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948, an applicant will also need:

  • evidence that at least one parent was an Australian citizen before their birth
    and
  • evidence that the Australian citizen parent lost their Australian citizenship under section 17 of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 before their birth (such as citizenship certificate of another country, statement from the authorities of the other country stating how and when the parent acquired the citizenship of that country).
  • Applicants will need to provide penal clearance certificates from overseas countries if, in the last 10 years:
    • they lived or travelled overseas since the age of 18 years or over; and
    • the total time spent overseas added up to 12 months or more; and
    • the time spent in any one country was more than 3 months; or
    • requested to do so by the department.

If applying on the basis of birth in Papua to a parent who was born in Australia as we now know it an applicant will also need:

  • their parent’s birth certificate
    and
  • evidence of their parent’s Australian citizenship at the time of their birth.
  • Applicants will need to provide penal clearance certificates from overseas countries if, in the last 10 years:
    • they lived or travelled overseas since the age of 18 years or over; and
    • the total time spent overseas added up to 12 months or more; and
    • the time spent in any one country was more than 3 months; or
    • requested to do so by the department.

If applying for discretion from the residence requirements on the basis of being the spouse or de facto partner, or the surviving spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen an applicant will also need:

  • evidence of their spouse’s or defacto partner’s Australian citizenship (full Australian birth certificate or citizenship certificate)
  • their marriage certificate or evidence to support that they are living together on a permanent basis or they have a mutual commitment to a shared life with their de facto partner and a genuine and continuing relationship for the period covering at least the previous twelve months
    and
  • a statement fully explaining the reasons why their spouse was not present in Australia during the time (such as a letter from an employer of the Australian citizen spouse or de facto partner) that they were a permanent resident but not residing in Australia and how the applicant maintained a close and continuing association with Australia during that period
    or
  • evidence of their spouse’s  or de facto partner’s death.

If applying for discretion from the residence requirements on the basis of having an interdependent relationship with an Australian citizen an applicant will also need:

  • evidence of a permanent visa granted on the basis of being in an interdependent relationship with that Australian citizen.

If applying for discretion from the residence requirements on the basis of suffering significant hardship or disadvantage an applicant will also need:

  • a supporting statement concerning the significant hardship or disadvantage that would be suffered by the applicant if they were not conferred Australian citizenship.