Lexi Webster
Australian citizenship by conferral is a pathway for eligible individuals to become Australian citizens through an application process. It is available to permanent residents of Australia who have lawfully resided in the country for the required period of time, typically at least four years, and meet the eligibility criteria set by the Australian government. The process involves submitting an application, providing supporting documents, and fulfilling requirements such as passing the Australian Citizenship Test. Successful applicants are invited to attend a citizenship ceremony, where they make pledges of loyalty to Australia and receive the rights and privileges of citizenship, including the right to vote, access to government services, and the ability to obtain an Australian passport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply? | Permanent residents of Australia, NZ citizens with a Subclass 189 visa, or children of Australian citizens born overseas |
| Residence requirements | Have lawfully resided in Australia for at least 4 years, including 12 months as a permanent resident and absences of less than 90 days |
| Application process | Submit application with supporting documents, sit for a citizenship test, attend a citizenship ceremony |
| Application fee | AU$540 |
| Processing time | 90% of applications processed within 10 months, 90% of approved applicants attend a ceremony within 6-8 months of approval |
| Rights and privileges | Right to vote, work for Australian Public Service/Defence Force, obtain and use an Australian passport |
| Responsibilities | Serve on a jury, defend Australia if needed |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for Australian citizenship by conferral, you must meet the following requirements:
Permanent Residency
You must be a permanent resident of Australia. This means you have lawfully resided in Australia for a certain period of time. The specific duration varies across sources but the most common minimum requirement is four years. One source mentions that applicants must have lived in Australia for the last 12 months as a permanent visa holder with absences of less than 90 days. Another source mentions that absences from Australia should be no more than 12 months.
New Zealand Citizens
If you are a New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible if you were in Australia on 26 February 2001 as the holder of a Special Category Visa (SCV) or if you spent a total of at least 12 months in Australia on an SCV during the 24 months immediately prior to 26 February 2001. From 1 January 2023, a New Zealand citizen may also be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship by conferral immediately after being granted a Subclass 189 visa in the New Zealand stream.
Citizenship by Descent
If you were born outside of Australia, you may be eligible for citizenship by descent if at least one of your parents was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth. If that parent was also a citizen by descent, they must have spent at least two years in Australia during their life. You must also have evidence of your parent's citizenship status at the time of your birth. If you are 18 years or older at the time of your application, you must be of good character.
Citizenship Test and Ceremony
All applicants aged 18 and above must sit for a citizenship test. The test consists of multiple-choice questions covering various topics such as the rights and responsibilities of Australian citizenship, government, law, national symbols, Indigenous culture, and life in Australia. After passing the test and getting your application approved, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony.
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Permanent residency
If you are a New Zealand citizen, there are additional pathways to obtaining permanent residency and, subsequently, applying for Australian citizenship by conferral. If you were in Australia on 26 February 2001 as the holder of a Special Category Visa (SCV) or spent at least 12 months in Australia on an SCV in the 24 months before 26 February 2001, you may be eligible for permanent residency. Alternatively, as of 1 January 2023, a New Zealand citizen may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship by conferral immediately after obtaining a Subclass 189 visa in the New Zealand stream.
It is advisable to seek guidance from immigration experts to navigate the process of obtaining permanent residency and subsequent Australian citizenship. They can help you understand the specific requirements and determine if there are any additional criteria that apply to your particular circumstances.
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Citizenship test
To become an Australian citizen by conferral, you must meet certain criteria. Citizenship by conferral is typically granted to permanent residents of Australia who have lawfully resided in Australia for the required period of time, and meet all other criteria.
Most applicants for citizenship by conferral, aged between 18 and 59 years at the time of application, need to have an interview and sit the citizenship test. The test assesses your English language skills and your knowledge of Australia and Australian citizenship.
The citizenship test contains questions regarding the rights and responsibilities of Australian citizenship, along with questions relating to life in Australia and what it means to be an Australian citizen.
You do not need to sit the test if you:
- Are under 18 years old at the time you apply for citizenship
- Are 60 or older at the time you apply for citizenship
- Were born to a former Australian citizen who automatically lost Australian citizenship because they became a citizen of another country when they were an adult
If you do not need to sit the test, you must still attend an interview to demonstrate that you understand what it means to become an Australian citizen and have adequate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship.
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Application process
The application process for Australian citizenship by conferral involves several steps and requirements that must be met. Firstly, it is important to determine your eligibility for citizenship by conferral. This pathway is typically available to individuals with permanent residency in Australia who have resided in the country for the required period, usually at least four years with absences of less than 90 days.
If you meet the residency requirements, you can proceed to lodge your citizenship application with the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA). This can be done independently or through an immigration service provider. You will need to provide supporting documents, such as evidence of your parent's citizenship status at the time of your birth, to demonstrate that you satisfy the relevant criteria. If you are 18 years or older, you must also meet the character requirements.
Once the DOHA has assessed your application and deemed you eligible for citizenship by conferral, you will be invited to attend an appointment with a case officer. During this appointment, you will be required to present your original documents and sit for the citizenship test. The test covers various topics, including the rights and responsibilities of Australian citizenship, life in Australia, and Australian culture. It is important to prepare for the test using the Australian citizenship test resource book.
After successfully passing the citizenship test and receiving approval from the DOHA, the final step in the process is to attend a citizenship ceremony. This ceremony is a celebration of your new citizenship and usually takes place within three to six months of your application's approval. During the ceremony, you will be asked to make three pledges affirming your loyalty to Australia, its democratic beliefs, and your commitment to upholding its laws.
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Citizenship ceremony
After your Australian citizenship application is approved, you will receive a letter of invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony. This is the final step in the process of becoming an Australian citizen.
The Department of Home Affairs hosts citizenship ceremonies across Australia. You will be invited to attend a ceremony in your local area. At the ceremony, you will be required to make the Australian Citizenship Pledge, after which you will be presented with your citizenship certificate.
You must attend the ceremony in person, and it is recommended that you arrive at least 15 minutes early. You should also bring the letter of invitation with you as proof of your attendance. The dress code for the ceremony is smart casual, and you are welcome to bring guests to share this special occasion with you. However, it is important to note that guests may not be permitted inside the ceremony venue due to space limitations.
During the ceremony, the Australian National Anthem will be played, and you will be expected to stand and join in singing. After the ceremony, there may be an opportunity for photos, and light refreshments will be served, giving you the chance to meet other new citizens.
The entire process typically takes around two hours, and it is an important and meaningful event that marks the conclusion of your journey to becoming an Australian citizen.
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Frequently asked questions
Citizenship by conferral is a pathway for eligible individuals to become Australian citizens through an application process. It is available to permanent residents of Australia who have lawfully resided in the country for the required period of time and meet other eligibility criteria.
The general requirements include:
- Being a permanent resident of Australia for at least 12 months with absences of less than 90 days.
- Lawfully residing in Australia for at least four years.
- Paying an application fee of AU$540.
- Passing the Australian Citizenship Test, which covers topics such as government, law, national symbols, and Indigenous culture.
The process typically involves:
- Determining eligibility and gathering required documents.
- Submitting the citizenship application to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA).
- Attending an appointment with a case officer to present original documents and sit for the citizenship test.
- Attending a citizenship ceremony to receive conferral of citizenship.
The majority of applications are processed within 10-11 months, and approved applicants usually have the opportunity to attend a citizenship ceremony within 6-8 months of approval.
