Become an Australian citizen

You must

  • be a permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV) when you apply and when we decide your application
  • be in Australia when we decide on your application in most cases
  • have been living in Australia on a valid visa for 4 years immediately before the day you apply
  • hold a permanent visa or an SCV for the last 12 months immediately before the day you apply and
  • not have been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in total in the past 4 years, including no more than 90 days in total in the 12 months immediately before applying.
  • intend to live in Australia or maintain a lasting link with Australia while overseas.
  • A parent can include a dependent child aged 15 years or younger in their application at no extra cost. The child must be a permanent resident.
  • If a parent is not applying to become an Australian citizen, a child 15 years or younger can apply on their own and must pay the associated fee.
  • A parent cannot include a child aged 16 or 17 in their application. They must apply on their own by following the process outlined on this page.
  • If you are aged 17 years or under, aged 60 years or over, or have an incapacity or impairment, there are different ways to become an Australian citizen.
  • You must be of 'good character' if you are 18 years or over. 
  • You need a basic knowledge of the English language to become an Australian citizen.
  • If you score 75% or more on the citizenship test, and answer all 5 questions on Australian values correctly, then you meet the language requirement.

You may already be an Australian citizen and eligible for Evidence of Australian citizenship if you were born in Australia:

  • and have been ordinarily resident in Australia throughout the first 10 years from your birth
  • to New Zealand citizen parents. 

You do not need to meet our residence requirement if you:

  • are under 16 years
  • were born to a former Australian citizen who lost their citizenship before 4 April 2002
  • were born in Papua before 16 September 1975 and one of your parents was born in Australia and was an Australian citizen when you were born