Online application for Australian citizenship - general eligibility

In general, to apply for citizenship you will need to:

• be a migrant who is a permanent resident
• satisfy the residence requirement
• be likely to reside, or to continue to reside, in Australia or to maintain a close and continuing association with Australia
• be of good character if you are 18 years of age or over.

To satisfy the residence requirement you must:

• have been living in Australia on a valid Australian visa for four years immediately before applying, which must include the last 12 months as a permanent resident and
• not have been absent from Australia for more than one year in total, in the four year period, including no more than 90 days in the year before applying.

After you have lodged your on-line application the department will invite you to an appointment where you will be required to sit an Australian citizenship test. You will also be required to provide your original documents to:

• prove your identity
• establish that you are of good character
• support your application, if required.

Use this checklist as a guide to the original documents that are usually required.

If you think you meet all the eligibility requirements to apply, and you are aged between 18 and 59 years you can start your online application.