Australian citizenship by conferral is the process by which a permanent resident (or an eligible New Zealand citizen holding a subclass 444 Special Category visa) becomes an Australian citizen. The primary pathway requires the applicant to have been lawfully present in Australia for at least 4 years immediately before the application — including at least 12 months as a permanent resident (or subclass 444 holder). Applicants aged 18–59 must pass the Australian citizenship test, demonstrate basic English, and meet the good character requirement. The process culminates in a citizenship ceremony where the applicant makes the Australian Citizenship Pledge.

For current eligibility requirements, application fees, processing times, and the Form 1290, refer to the Department of Home Affairs citizenship page.

• Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (Cth), s 21 — the general eligibility criteria for citizenship by conferral
• Australian Citizenship Act 2007, s 21(2)(b) — the 4-year residence and 12-month PR requirements
• Australian Citizenship Act 2007, s 21(3)–(6) — the residence requirement and absences
• Australian Citizenship Act 2007, s 24 — the citizenship test requirement
• Australian Citizenship Act 2007, s 26 — the good character requirement
• DHA: Become an Australian citizen — permanent resident — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship
• DHA: Australian citizenship test resource book (Our Common Bond) — the official study resource for the citizenship test

Eligibility — the residence requirement

The core eligibility requirement for Australian citizenship by conferral is that the applicant must have been lawfully present in Australia for at least 4 years immediately before the date of application, and during that 4-year period:

• Must have been a permanent resident (or subclass 444 New Zealand citizen) for at least the last 12 months immediately before the application
• Must not have been absent from Australia for more than a total of 12 months in the 4-year period
• Must not have been absent for more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before the application

The 4-year period is calculated backwards from the date the application is lodged — the applicant must have held a valid Australian visa (any visa, including temporary visas) for each of those 4 years. The final 12 months must have been as a permanent resident or subclass 444 visa holder.

New Zealand citizens — subclass 444 pathway

New Zealand citizens who enter Australia on a subclass 444 Special Category visa are treated as permanent residents for the purposes of the citizenship residence requirement. A subclass 444 holder who has been in Australia for 4 years (with 12 months on the 444) meets the residence component. Note that most subclass 444 holders do not hold a formal permanent resident visa — they are in a separate category. For detailed conditions, refer to the DHA citizenship page.

The citizenship test — Our Common Bond

Applicants aged 18 to 59 must pass the Australian citizenship test before their application can be approved. The test:

• Is based on the official resource book Our Common Bond
• Contains 20 questions — the applicant must answer at least 15 correctly to pass
• Covers Australian values, history, government, and what it means to be an Australian citizen
• Is conducted in English — there are no translated versions
• Is taken at a DHA office or approved test centre

Exemptions from the citizenship test apply to:

• Persons aged 60 or older
• Persons with a permanent hearing, speech, or sight impairment
• Persons who are otherwise exempted by the Minister on the basis of significant hardship or disadvantage

The current version of Our Common Bond and practice tests are available on the DHA citizenship test page.

The good character requirement

Applicants aged 18 or older must be of good character at the time the application is decided. For applicants aged 16–17, the Minister may also consider character. Good character is assessed by considering:

• Criminal history in Australia and overseas — convictions, pending charges, or periods of imprisonment
• Any security or intelligence concerns
• Whether the applicant has complied with Australian law and immigration conditions

A serious criminal record (particularly sentences of 12 months or more) can result in refusal. A character certificate from the applicant's country of birth and prior country of residence may be required in some cases.

English language requirement

Applicants must demonstrate basic English. This is assessed at the citizenship interview conducted by a DHA officer. The citizenship test being conducted in English also serves as a practical English check for applicants in the 18–59 age group who must take the test.

The citizenship interview

After the application is lodged and the citizenship test is passed, applicants attend a citizenship interview with a DHA officer. The interview:

• Confirms the applicant's identity and eligibility
• Assesses English proficiency
• Confirms the applicant's understanding of and commitment to Australian citizenship

The citizenship ceremony

If the application is approved, the applicant receives an approval letter and is invited to a citizenship ceremony conducted by a local council or other approved body. At the ceremony, the applicant makes the Australian Citizenship Pledge — either an affirmation (secular) or an oath (religious). Australian citizenship is formally conferred at the ceremony — not at the time of approval. The applicant receives an Australian citizenship certificate at or after the ceremony.

Processing times and fees

Processing times and the application fee vary. For current information on both, refer to the DHA citizenship page and the DHA citizenship fees page.

Special circumstances — reduced residence requirements

Reduced residence requirements apply in some circumstances:

• Spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens: the Minister may approve citizenship with a reduced residence period in some cases
• Persons with enduring physical or mental incapacity: there are modified pathways for persons who are unable to satisfy the standard requirements
• Children: children under 18 have a separate, simpler process and do not need to take the citizenship test

For full details on these special pathways, refer to the DHA citizenship page.

The most common reason permanent residents fail to meet the residence requirement is miscounting absences or misunderstanding the 4-year period. The 4 years runs strictly backwards from the date of application — not from the date PR was granted. Applicants who spent periods on bridging visas, temporary visas, or overseas before becoming a PR should carefully calculate the 4-year window before applying. The 90-day absence limit in the final 12 months is a common trap for permanent residents who travel extensively. For current eligibility requirements, the application form (Form 1290), citizenship test resources, current processing times, and fee information, refer to the Department of Home Affairs citizenship page.