How to apply for Australian citizenship online

Published 23 October 2023Last reviewed May 2026

Applying online through ImmiAccount is the standard way to lodge an Australian citizenship by conferral application. You can track your application, upload documents, and receive correspondence from the Department of Home Affairs without visiting an office in person.

Official portal: online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login

Who can apply online

To apply for citizenship by conferral online, you generally need to:

Hold a valid permanent resident visa
Be living in Australia at the time of application
Have met the residency requirements (4 years lawful residence, including 12 months as a permanent resident)
Meet the good character requirement

There are separate application processes for citizenship by descent, evidence of citizenship, and other special pathways. Make sure you're using the right pathway before you start.

See requirements for Australian citizenship to confirm you're eligible before opening the form.

Before you start: prepare these documents

Getting your documents ready before you open the online form saves time and reduces the risk of errors mid-application. You'll typically need:

Passport — current and previous passports covering the residence period
Birth certificate — full birth certificate (not a short-form extract)
Visa grant notice — evidence of your current permanent visa
Travel history — your passport stamps showing entries and exits from Australia
Name change documents — marriage certificate, deed poll, or court order if your name has changed

Have clear digital scans ready to upload. Blurry or cropped images are one of the most common reasons applications are delayed. For the complete list, see Australian citizenship documents checklist.

Step-by-step: completing the application

Step 1: log in to ImmiAccount

Visit online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login. If you don't have an account, create one — you'll need an email address and personal details. If you used ImmiAccount for a previous visa, use the same login.

Step 2: start a new application

Select New Application and choose the citizenship by conferral application type. Do not create multiple applications — this causes confusion and won't speed up your case.

Step 3: complete the form accurately

The form asks for your personal details, residency history, travel history, and identity information. Fill everything in accurately.

Common errors that cause delays:

Incorrect travel dates (check your passport carefully)
Name discrepancies between different documents
Missing residence addresses or employment history gaps
Incorrect visa grant dates

The form allows you to save and return across multiple sessions — you don't need to finish in one sitting.

Step 4: upload your documents

Upload clear, complete scans of all required documents. Each file should show all corners, with no text cut off. Use PDF or JPEG where possible.

Documents not in English must be accompanied by a translation from a NAATI-certified translator. Do not use a bilingual friend or an online translation tool.

Read the Department's document upload guidance before you start. Do not upload encrypted or secured PDF files, do not email documents separately unless instructed, and attach documents before the application is finalised.

Step 5: review everything before submitting

Before you submit, review every section of the form and every uploaded document. Once submitted, you can't edit the form. If something is wrong, you'll need to wait for the Department to contact you or lodge an enquiry.

Step 6: pay the application fee

After submitting your form, you'll be prompted to pay the application fee by credit or debit card. The application is not lodged until payment is confirmed.

Check the current fee before you apply — fees are reviewed periodically: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/citizenship-fees

See Australian citizenship fees for an overview of what's involved.

Step 7: save your reference number

Once lodged, you'll receive an acknowledgement with a reference number. Save this — you'll use it to track your application in ImmiAccount.

After you apply

Once your application is lodged:

Check ImmiAccount regularly — all correspondence from the Department goes to your ImmiAccount inbox, not always to your email
Respond promptly to any requests — if the Department needs more documents, your application pauses until you respond
Don't lodge a second application — if you're worried about the wait, contact the Department through ImmiAccount rather than submitting again

Most adult applicants will eventually receive an appointment invitation covering identity verification and the citizenship test. See how to book a date for your citizenship test for what happens next.

Common upload mistakes to avoid

Uploading phone photos instead of scans — phone photos in poor light are often unreadable
Uploading only one page of a multi-page document
Uploading a certified copy when the original is requested
Uploading documents in a format the system doesn't accept

Official source

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/become-a-citizen

Related guides

Application processes can change. Always use the current ImmiAccount system as your primary guide and check the Department of Home Affairs website for up-to-date instructions.

How to apply for Australian citizenship online

Published 23 October 2023Last reviewed May 2026

Official portal: online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login

Who can apply online

To apply for citizenship by conferral online, you generally need to:

Hold a valid permanent resident visa
Be living in Australia at the time of application
Have met the residency requirements (4 years lawful residence, including 12 months as a permanent resident)
Meet the good character requirement

There are separate application processes for citizenship by descent, evidence of citizenship, and other special pathways. Make sure you're using the right pathway before you start.

See requirements for Australian citizenship to confirm you're eligible before opening the form.

Before you start: prepare these documents

Getting your documents ready before you open the online form saves time and reduces the risk of errors mid-application. You'll typically need:

Passport — current and previous passports covering the residence period
Birth certificate — full birth certificate (not a short-form extract)
Visa grant notice — evidence of your current permanent visa
Travel history — your passport stamps showing entries and exits from Australia
Name change documents — marriage certificate, deed poll, or court order if your name has changed

Have clear digital scans ready to upload. Blurry or cropped images are one of the most common reasons applications are delayed. For the complete list, see Australian citizenship documents checklist.

Step-by-step: completing the application

Step 1: log in to ImmiAccount

Visit online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login. If you don't have an account, create one — you'll need an email address and personal details. If you used ImmiAccount for a previous visa, use the same login.

Step 2: start a new application

Select New Application and choose the citizenship by conferral application type. Do not create multiple applications — this causes confusion and won't speed up your case.

Step 3: complete the form accurately

The form asks for your personal details, residency history, travel history, and identity information. Fill everything in accurately.

Common errors that cause delays:

Incorrect travel dates (check your passport carefully)
Name discrepancies between different documents
Missing residence addresses or employment history gaps
Incorrect visa grant dates

The form allows you to save and return across multiple sessions — you don't need to finish in one sitting.

Step 4: upload your documents

Upload clear, complete scans of all required documents. Each file should show all corners, with no text cut off. Use PDF or JPEG where possible.

Documents not in English must be accompanied by a translation from a NAATI-certified translator. Do not use a bilingual friend or an online translation tool.

Step 5: review everything before submitting

Step 6: pay the application fee

After submitting your form, you'll be prompted to pay the application fee by credit or debit card. The application is not lodged until payment is confirmed.

Check the current fee before you apply — fees are reviewed periodically: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/citizenship-fees

See Australian citizenship fees for an overview of what's involved.

Step 7: save your reference number

Once lodged, you'll receive an acknowledgement with a reference number. Save this — you'll use it to track your application in ImmiAccount.

After you apply

Once your application is lodged:

Check ImmiAccount regularly — all correspondence from the Department goes to your ImmiAccount inbox, not always to your email
Respond promptly to any requests — if the Department needs more documents, your application pauses until you respond
Don't lodge a second application — if you're worried about the wait, contact the Department through ImmiAccount rather than submitting again

Common upload mistakes to avoid

Uploading phone photos instead of scans — phone photos in poor light are often unreadable
Uploading only one page of a multi-page document
Uploading a certified copy when the original is requested
Uploading documents in a format the system doesn't accept

Official source

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/become-a-citizen

Related guides

Application processes can change. Always use the current ImmiAccount system as your primary guide and check the Department of Home Affairs website for up-to-date instructions.