How to process your Australian citizenship requirements

Published 16 September 2024Last reviewed May 2026

Before you open the application form, there's a set of requirements to work through in order. Getting these right before lodging saves time and avoids the delays that come from discovering a gap after you've already submitted.

1. Confirm your eligibility

Most people apply through the conferral pathway, which applies to permanent residents who have lived in Australia for the required period. You'll need to confirm all of the following before lodging:

Requirement	What to check
Permanent residency	You hold a valid permanent visa now and will on decision date
4-year lawful residence	You've lived in Australia lawfully for 4 years immediately before applying
12 months as PR	At least 12 of those months were as a permanent resident
Absence limits	No more than 12 months outside Australia over 4 years; no more than 90 days in the final 12 months
Good character	No significant criminal history; honest immigration dealings

Check your travel history carefully. A few days over the absence limit can affect your eligibility, and many people don't realise they're short until they add everything up.

See requirements for Australian citizenship for the full detail and exemptions.

2. Prepare your documentation

Start pulling documents together before you open the application form. This avoids interruptions midway through and reduces the chance of uploading incomplete files.

You'll need:

Proof of identity — current passport and full birth certificate
Evidence of your permanent residency — visa grant notice or VEVO check
Travel history — passport entries and exits showing time in and out of Australia
Name change documents — if your name has changed since birth, include a marriage certificate, deed poll, or court order

Any documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation from a NAATI-certified translator.

For the complete document checklist, see Australian citizenship documents checklist.

3. Start preparing for the test

If you're aged 18–59 and not exempt, you'll sit the citizenship test at your appointment. Start studying now — don't wait for the invitation to arrive. By the time your appointment comes, you should have already:

Read Our Common Bond in full: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/test-and-interview/our-common-bond
Completed multiple timed practice tests: Practice Test 1
Confirmed you're consistently getting all five Australian values questions correct

See how to prepare for the Australian citizenship test for a structured study plan.

4. Lodge your application

Applications are submitted online through the Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount portal: online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login

Complete the form accurately, upload your documents, and pay the application fee. Once submitted, you'll receive a reference number for tracking.

Check current fees before applying: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/citizenship-fees

5. Attend your appointment

After lodging, the Department will send you an appointment invitation through ImmiAccount. The appointment covers identity verification and — for most applicants aged 18 to 59 — the citizenship test.

Take your original identity documents to the appointment — not photocopies.

Some applicants may also be asked to clarify specific details from their application. See what to expect at your Australian citizenship appointment.

6. Sit the citizenship test

The test is 20 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes. You need at least 15 correct (75%), and all five Australian values questions must be answered correctly.

If you don't pass, you can generally resit at a later date. Your application stays active. See what happens if you fail the citizenship test.

7. Wait for the decision

After your appointment, your application enters a final assessment phase. Processing times vary. Check current wait times:

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/citizenship-processing-times

Keep an eye on your ImmiAccount inbox for any messages requesting additional information, and respond to them promptly.

8. Attend your citizenship ceremony

Once your application is approved, your local council will invite you to a citizenship ceremony. You make the pledge of commitment at the ceremony — that's when you officially become an Australian citizen. Your citizenship certificate is presented at that point.

Children under 16 who were included in an approved parent's application become citizens through that process. They don't make the pledge separately — the parent's pledge covers them at the ceremony.

See important things about the Australian citizenship ceremony for what to bring and what to expect.

Related guides

Always verify current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging your application.

How to process your Australian citizenship requirements

Published 16 September 2024Last reviewed May 2026

1. Confirm your eligibility

Most people apply through the conferral pathway, which applies to permanent residents who have lived in Australia for the required period. You'll need to confirm all of the following before lodging:

Requirement	What to check
Permanent residency	You hold a valid permanent visa now and will on decision date
4-year lawful residence	You've lived in Australia lawfully for 4 years immediately before applying
12 months as PR	At least 12 of those months were as a permanent resident
Absence limits	No more than 12 months outside Australia over 4 years; no more than 90 days in the final 12 months
Good character	No significant criminal history; honest immigration dealings

Check your travel history carefully. A few days over the absence limit can affect your eligibility, and many people don't realise they're short until they add everything up.

See requirements for Australian citizenship for the full detail and exemptions.

2. Prepare your documentation

Start pulling documents together before you open the application form. This avoids interruptions midway through and reduces the chance of uploading incomplete files.

You'll need:

Proof of identity — current passport and full birth certificate
Evidence of your permanent residency — visa grant notice or VEVO check
Travel history — passport entries and exits showing time in and out of Australia
Name change documents — if your name has changed since birth, include a marriage certificate, deed poll, or court order

Any documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation from a NAATI-certified translator.

For the complete document checklist, see Australian citizenship documents checklist.

3. Start preparing for the test

Read Our Common Bond in full: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/test-and-interview/our-common-bond
Completed multiple timed practice tests: Practice Test 1
Confirmed you're consistently getting all five Australian values questions correct

See how to prepare for the Australian citizenship test for a structured study plan.

4. Lodge your application

Applications are submitted online through the Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount portal: online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login

Complete the form accurately, upload your documents, and pay the application fee. Once submitted, you'll receive a reference number for tracking.

Check current fees before applying: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/citizenship-fees

5. Attend your appointment

Take your original identity documents to the appointment — not photocopies.

Some applicants may also be asked to clarify specific details from their application. See what to expect at your Australian citizenship appointment.

6. Sit the citizenship test

The test is 20 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes. You need at least 15 correct (75%), and all five Australian values questions must be answered correctly.

If you don't pass, you can generally resit at a later date. Your application stays active. See what happens if you fail the citizenship test.

7. Wait for the decision

After your appointment, your application enters a final assessment phase. Processing times vary. Check current wait times:

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/citizenship-processing-times

Keep an eye on your ImmiAccount inbox for any messages requesting additional information, and respond to them promptly.

8. Attend your citizenship ceremony

Children under 16 who were included in an approved parent's application become citizens through that process. They don't make the pledge separately — the parent's pledge covers them at the ceremony.

See important things about the Australian citizenship ceremony for what to bring and what to expect.

Related guides

Always verify current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging your application.