Application process for Australian citizenship

Step 1. Determine that you are eligible

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.

There are two categories of eligibility:

• Form 1300t Australian citizenship - General eligibility commonly used for applicants:
  • aged 18 years and over and under 60 years of age.
• Form 1290 Australian citizenship – Other situations commonly used for applicants:
  • aged under 18 years or over 60 years of age
  • who suffer from a permanent loss or substantial impairment of hearing, speech or sight
  • who have an enduring physical or mental incapacity that means they are not capable of understanding the nature of the application.

Step 2. Ensure you meet the residence requirement

The residence requirement is based on the time you have lived in Australia and the time you have spent outside Australia.

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 4 year period, including no more than 90 days in the year before applying.

The Residence Requirement Calculator can help you calculate whether you meet this requirement.

Under certain circumstances the residence requirement may be varied.

Step 3. Read the Australian citizenship resource book

Ensure you understand what Australian citizenship involves.

The Australian citizenship resource book has all the information that you will need to take the citizenship test. All the questions in the test are based on the testable information in this book.

The book also contains useful information for those people who have a citizenship interview.

Download or order your copy of the Australian citizenship test resource book.

Step 4. Gather your original documents

You must provide original documents.

You will need to provide a range of documents to

• prove your identity,
• establish links between all names you have used,
• establish you have not had any serious criminal convictions
• to apply for variations to the residence requirement or fees.

What are the document requirements? Use this checklist as a guide to the original documents usually required.

Step 5. Complete your application form

There is a checklist to help you understand how to complete your application form.

Step 6. Lodge your application form

Making an application in Australia

Lodge your application form online through the website or on paper and post to your nearest departmental office. Ensure you have completed all questions in the application form .

If you lodge your citizenship application online you can attach your identity and other documents. You will need to bring your original documents with you to your citizenship appointment.

You must also bring a completed Identity declaration and correctly endorsed photographs for yourself and any children included in your application, to your appointment.

If you lodge your citizenship application on paper you must attach certified copies of original documents. Do not post original documents with your application.

Read the information about the application fee and how to pay it before lodging your application.

Step 7. Attend your citizenship appointment

When the department receives your application you will be invited to attend a citizenship appointment. We will send you a letter with your appointment details and further information. It is at your appointment you will take a citizenship test or have an interview, whichever applies.

At your appointment a departmental officer will confirm your eligibility for Australian citizenship, check your original documents, verify your identity and ensure that you have satisfied all the requirements.

It is very important that you attend your appointment. If you do not, your application may be refused.

You should allow approximately two hours for your citizenship appointment.

Step 8. Take the citizenship test or have a citizenship interview

You are usually required to take a citizenship test if you are aged 18 years and over and under 60 years of age. The citizenship test is designed to encourage you to find out more about life in Australia and what it means to be an Australian citizen. It will test your understanding of the responsibilities of citizenship as well as the rights that you will enjoy once you become a citizen. All the questions in the test are based on the testable information in the Australian citizenship test resource book.

See more information about the Australian Citizenship Test

If you are not required to sit the test you may have a citizenship interview. At the interview we will confirm you understand the nature of your citizenship application, have a basic knowledge of the English language and understand the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship.

Step 9. Receive notification of the department's decision

A decision on your application for citizenship can only be made after you have lodged a completed application together with the required original documents and fee.

The Client Service Charter provides details on the service standard for processing an application for Australian citizenship. If you do not receive notification within the time given in the charter you should contact the Citizenship Information Line on 131 880.

You must tell the department if you change your address, and you must be in the country at the time a decision is made. You may need to defer your travel plans or, if your travel is urgent contact the department for advice.

See more information about citizenship and travel

Step 10. Attend a citizenship ceremony

After you have received notification that your application has been approved you will usually need to attend a citizenship ceremony and make the Australian Citizenship Pledge to complete the process of becoming an Australian citizen.

Generally, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony within three months, but waiting times between local councils can vary.

If you have children under 16 years of age who were included on your application form they will become Australian citizens when you make the Pledge.

See also: Citizenship ceremonies