Permanent resident vs Australian citizen: what actually changes?

If you've been a permanent resident for a while, daily life in Australia probably already feels settled. So it's worth understanding what genuinely changes when you become a citizen — and what doesn't.

The official Home Affairs starting point for citizenship is immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship. For voting, passports, and social support, use the relevant government source because these rules sit across different agencies.

Quick comparison

Area	Permanent resident	Australian citizen
Live in Australia	Yes, while the permanent visa remains valid	Yes
Work in Australia	Yes	Yes
Medicare	Generally yes	Generally yes
Australian passport	No	Yes
Vote in federal elections	No	Yes, and enrolment/voting is compulsory for citizens 18 and over
Citizenship test and ceremony	Not completed yet	Completed if citizenship was granted by conferral
Security of status	Strong, but still a visa status	Stronger, with very limited cancellation/revocation circumstances
Children born overseas	Usually not automatically citizens	May be able to apply for citizenship by descent

What changes when you become a citizen

Australian passport

This is the most practical change for most people. Citizens can apply for an Australian passport, which provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a large number of countries.

As a permanent resident, you travel on your home-country passport and may need visas for destinations where Australians travel freely.

If you travel often, this is usually the benefit you feel first.

Right to vote

Australian citizens aged 18 and over are required to enrol and vote in federal, state, and territory elections. Voting is compulsory in Australia.

Permanent residents cannot vote in federal or state elections.

Right to hold public office

Citizens can stand for election to federal, state, and local government. Permanent residents cannot.

Security clearances and certain government jobs

Some government roles and security clearances are only available to Australian citizens. If you work in — or plan to work in — defence, intelligence, or certain public service roles, citizenship may be a practical requirement for your career.

Sponsoring family members

Citizens can sponsor a broader range of family members to migrate to Australia than permanent residents can, including parents under certain visa subclasses. The eligibility rules are set by immigration policy and can change, so check current visa options if this is relevant to you.

This does not mean every family visa becomes easy or guaranteed. It means citizenship can matter when checking sponsor eligibility for some pathways.

Security of status

A permanent resident visa can theoretically be cancelled in certain circumstances — serious criminal offences, character grounds, or extended absence. Australian citizenship, once granted, is far more secure. It can be revoked in very limited legal circumstances, but these cases are rare.

This matters to some applicants who feel their permanent residency is at risk from life events or long periods overseas.

What changes for children

If you become an Australian citizen and later have a child overseas, that child may be able to apply for Australian citizenship by descent. That is different from including a child in your own citizenship by conferral application.

If you already have children, the right pathway depends on where they were born, their age, and whether they were included in your application. Start with Australian citizenship for children and citizenship by conferral vs descent.

What doesn't change much

Medicare

Both permanent residents and citizens generally have access to Medicare. Citizenship doesn't automatically give you extra health access in this regard.

Working rights

If you have a permanent visa, you already have the right to work anywhere in Australia. This doesn't change with citizenship.

Most day-to-day life

Paying taxes, owning property, accessing most public services — all of this continues in the same way. Citizenship doesn't change your tax obligations or your ability to own property.

What you give up (potentially)

If you're a citizen of another country, becoming an Australian citizen might require you to renounce that citizenship — depending on the laws of your home country.

Australia allows dual citizenship from its side — you don't need to give up your original citizenship to become Australian. But your home country may not permit dual nationality. Losing your original citizenship could affect your rights to property, inheritance, or residence in that country.

Check with your home country's consulate or government before applying if this is a concern.

Is it worth it?

For most long-term permanent residents, yes. The passport, voting rights, security of status, and ability to sponsor family members are the most frequently cited reasons. The citizenship test and ceremony are a small hurdle compared to the long-term gains.

For more on what citizenship gives you, see advantages of having Australian citizenship.

For the application process, see step-by-step Australian citizenship application.

If you are still deciding whether you are eligible, read Australian citizenship requirements before spending time on the application.

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Rights and entitlements are set by current law and policy and can change. Verify anything that affects a significant decision with the relevant government agency, the Department of Home Affairs, or a registered migration agent. This guide is reviewed regularly.