Citizenship in Australia
Naturalisation timelines, tests, and dual nationality
Citizenship by conferral generally requires around four years of lawful residence in Australia immediately before applying, including roughly the final twelve months as a permanent resident, with limits on time spent outside the country. Most applicants aged between eighteen and fifty-nine sit a citizenship test covering values, history and government, and attend a ceremony at which the pledge is made. Dual citizenship is permitted.
| General residence requirement | Commonly around four years lawful residence, including about one year as a permanent resident source |
| Absences | Limits apply to time spent outside Australia during the qualifying period |
| Test | Citizenship test including Australian values questions, commonly for ages 18 to 59 |
| Final step | Citizenship ceremony and pledge of commitment |
| Dual citizenship | Permitted |
Counting the residence period
The qualifying period is counted backwards from the date of application and, unlike some countries, includes time held on temporary visas provided the residence was lawful throughout. Only the final part of the period, commonly around twelve months, must be held as a permanent resident.
There are separate caps on total absence from Australia across the whole qualifying period and on absence during the permanent residence year. Frequent international travel for work is the most common reason an otherwise straightforward application is lodged too early.
Different rules apply for children, for citizenship by descent where a parent was an Australian citizen, and for New Zealand citizens, whose position under the trans-Tasman arrangements has changed in recent years.
The test
The test is drawn from a free official resource published by the department and covers Australia's system of government, laws, history, national symbols and, since 2020, a set of questions on Australian values that must all be answered correctly.
Applicants aged sixty and over, and applicants with certain permanent physical or mental incapacities, are generally exempt from the test, though the other requirements still apply.
What citizenship adds
- An Australian passport and unrestricted right of entry, replacing the expiring travel facility attached to permanent residence.
- The vote, which is compulsory in Australian elections, and eligibility for most public office.
- Eligibility for a wider range of government positions, including roles requiring security clearance.
- The ability to pass citizenship to children born overseas by descent, subject to the rules for successive generations.
Character and identity
Applicants must satisfy a character requirement and establish identity, which for people who have lived in several countries commonly means police certificates from each. Outstanding criminal proceedings will generally pause a decision rather than result in an immediate refusal.
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Official sources
Checked against these pages in September 2026. Fees and processing times change without notice — confirm before you act.