Australia Citizenship by Naturalization

Like a visa application, applying for Australian citizenship has certain requirements you must meet. Australia Citizenship Requirements:

• You must be an Australian permanent resident;
• You are over 16 years of age;
• You have physically lived in Australia for a period of four years, including 12 months as a permanent resident;
• You must not have serious criminal offense;
• You have an adequate knowledge of your responsibilities and privileges as a citizen.

Step 1 – Meet the basic eligibility

You need to check that you meet our requirements before you apply. Check your eligibility.

Step 2 – Organise your documents

You will be required to submit some documents along with your application. You can scroll down to find the documents checklist for Australian citizenship application.

Step 3 – Apply for citizenship

You can apply and pay online whether you are in Australia or another foreign country. Completing your application online, and providing all the documents listed for your application type, helps immigration officer to finalise your application faster.

Step 4 – Come to your appointment

Most people aged between 18 and 59 years will have an interview with the Department of Home Affairs. They must sit for a citizenship test as well. Others might only have to face an interview. The DHA will send you an appointment letter with the details. The time from when you apply to your appointment date varies, but this may take a long time,

You can find out about the interview and citizenship test

Step 5 – Wait for our decision

Provide all required documents and let the DHA know if there is any change of circumstances. If you do not update your changes, you might face some complications and the application may take long time.

Step 6 – Outcome

DHA will notify you in writing. You will receive a letter from DHA when they have made a decision on your application.

Step 7 – Attend a citizenship ceremony

Most applicants for citizenship by conferral must attend a citizenship ceremony and make the Australian Citizenship Pledge to become an Australian citizen. This could be one of the happiest moments in your life!

Generally, you will receive an invitation to a ceremony within 6 months of your application being granted, but waiting times may vary. You can check the citizenship processing times here.

• You need to give us evidence that you meet our requirements.
• Federal police check
• Scanned copies of your original documents including your passports
• certified copies of all other documents if you have to lodge a paper application
• Photographs
• evidence of eligibility for any exemptions, discretions and concessions
• evidence of eligibility for the special residence requirement
• evidence of residence (for New Zealand and British migrants)
• evidence of your relationship with any children included in the application
• medical evidence of an enduring physical or mental incapacity from a specialist medical practitioner registered in Australia
• medical evidence of permanent loss or substantial hearing, speech or sight impairment from a specialist medical practitioner registered in Australia
• evidence of your birth in Papua before 16 September 1975 to an Australian citizen parent
• evidence of your birth to a former Australian citizen who lost citizenship before 4 April 2002
• Evidence of exemptions, ministerial discretions and concessions
• Evidence to meet the special residence requirement
• Evidence of residence for New Zealand migrants
• Evidence of residence for British migrants
• Documents relating to a child in your application

The Citizenship Application Fee is AUD490.

AUD300 if aged 16 or 17 years at the time of application.

There is no cost for a child 15 years or younger applying on the same form as a parent. Other exemptions and concessions apply.

If you have applied for Australian citizenship by conferral:

• 90% of applications are processed within 14 months
• 90% of approved applicants will have the opportunity to attend a ceremony within 8 months of approval.

If you have applied for Australian citizenship by descent, 90% of applications are processed within 6 months.

If you have applied for Evidence of Australian citizenship, 90% of applications are processed within 28 days.