Understanding the Australian Citizenship Application Process
Applying for Australian citizenship is a significant step towards becoming a full member of the Australian community. This guide provides detailed information on eligibility criteria, application steps, and tips to enhance your chances of success.
Eligibility Criteria for Australian Citizenship
To be eligible for Australian citizenship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Permanent Residency: Hold permanent residency status in Australia for at least one year.
Continuous Residence: Have lived in Australia for at least four years before applying, with no more than 12 months spent outside Australia during this period, and no more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before applying.
Good Character: Demonstrate good character, typically assessed through background checks.
Language and Knowledge Requirements: Pass a citizenship test to demonstrate understanding of Australian society, values, and history.
Application Process for Australian Citizenship
Prepare Your Documents: Gather necessary documents, including proof of permanent residency, identification, and evidence of residence in Australia.
Complete the Application: Apply online through the ImmiAccount or submit a paper application.
Citizenship Test: If required, pass the citizenship test, which assesses knowledge of Australia and English language skills.
Wait for a Decision: Processing times vary; ensure all information is accurate to avoid delays.
Citizenship Ceremony: Upon approval, attend a ceremony to make the citizenship pledge.Immigration and citizenship Website
Tips to Improve Your Application Success
Ensure Accuracy: Double-check all information in your application.
Meet Residency Requirements: Use the Residence Calculator to confirm eligibility.
Prepare for the Test: Study the official materials, such as the Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond.
Special Cases in Australian Citizenship
Children: Children born in Australia or to Australian citizens may automatically acquire citizenship.
Applicants Over 60: May be exempt from the citizenship test but must meet other requirements.
Special Circumstances: Refugees or humanitarian entrants may have different pathways to citizenship.
What Happens After Applying?
After submitting your application, you will receive confirmation of receipt. You may be asked to attend an interview or provide additional documentation. Once processed, you will be notified of the decision and, if successful, invited to a citizenship ceremony.
FAQs:
Q1: How long does it take to process an Australian citizenship application?
A: Processing times vary but generally range from several months to over a year, depending on individual circumstances.
Q2: What is the citizenship test pass mark?
A: Applicants must score at least 75% and answer all five Australian values questions correctly.
Q3: Can I apply for citizenship if I have a criminal record?
A: Applicants must be of good character; serious criminal records may affect eligibility.
Q4: Are there exemptions to the citizenship test?
A: Yes, applicants over 60 or with certain impairments may be exempt but must meet other requirements.
Q5: How can I prepare for the citizenship test?
A: Study the official booklet Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond and take practice tests.
Q6: What if I fail the citizenship test?
A: Applicants have multiple opportunities to retake the test if they do not pass on the first attempt.
92 Responses
I am a NZ citizen with a NZ passport. My family and i have been residing in Australia since November 2008. However i have been in Lebanon since April 2019 with my husband. I will be returning to Melbourne within 2 weeks. How long do i have to wait to apply for citizenship?
Hi Natalya
Thank you very much for your post. Here are the first three (3) things that come to mind. There may also be other important issues that arise from your particular circumstances. Please seek specific immigration law advice before taking any further steps. It could be that I have misunderstood you :).
1. In order to apply for Australian citizenship, you need at least to become an Australian permanent resident and although you currently hold a subclass 444 special category visa as a New Zealand citizen you are not an Australian permanent resident.
2. You should get advice about making an application for permanent residency in Australia, noting that there are frequent changes to the 189 New Zealand stream Visa class.
3. It is typical for New Zealand citizens to be required to show evidence of income in Australia for a number of years as a requirement for them to be eligible for permanent residency. So it would appear to me that citizenship of Australia is quite a long way away for you.
*In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. Please also see the standard Notes and Disclosures which apply to my communications. These are located at the footer of my work emails.
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
http://myvisa.com.au/
Regards Nilesh Nandan Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory http://myvisa.com.au/
Hi
I didn’t receive the bridging visa for 4 days and now when I apply for citizenship it showing me error that you are not eligible because I’m not meeting the requirements of continuous stay of 4 years.
So what will be my options?
How can I apply for citizenship?
If I do apply on paper base, what will be the chances of my application getting approved or rejected?
Please advise me
Thanks
Hi,
I lived in Australia on a temporary visa for 4 years. Then I moved overseas for 6 months (during which my visa expired). If I apply for a PR visa and move back to Australia, will those 4 years spent on a temp visa be counted when applying for citizenship?
Kind regards,
Mai
Hello! I have been in Australia for 4 years now going on 5, 3 years of which were working holiday visas, the fourth year I spent on a bridging visa and now I am currently on the NIL VAC covid working holiday visa. I have been with my employer for going on three years now (in agriculture which scrapped the 6 month work rule during covid) and he is trying to sponsor me! My question is if I get sponsored how many more years would I have to do before I can apply for permanent residency? I’m not sure if my working holiday years count as time spent in Australia? And because I have worked with the same employer for three years does that count towards anything and it is on a dairy which is on the list of jobs they need people for.
In the 4 years I have been year I’ve only left the country once to go home for 6 weeks.
Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Kind regards Alex.
Hi Nilesh, thank you so much for spending your precious time answering the enquiry section.
Please help me clarify what happens if I stay more than 90 days outside Australia the last 12 months. When or how that period would be reset?
Much appreciated,
hi Nilesh, I have been in Australia since 2018 July lawfully and received my PR march 2021. my query is that can I leave Australia for couple of years right after applying for my citizenship in march 2023? as I have completed my 4 years here and 1 year as PR. Do i still need to be here until my application is finalised? thank you
HI, I have two questions,
My baby was born here in Jan 2022, we got our residency in Dec 2022, is my baby still eligible to apply for citizenship on their own?
What happens if you are absent for more than 90 days during the 1 year residency requirement period? Do we need to start all over again or we can just exclude overstay days?
Thank you