Australian citizenship by conferral

The final step — from permanent residence to Australian citizen

MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au

For most permanent residents, Australian citizenship is the last step of the journey — and the one that makes Australia truly home. Citizenship by conferral is the pathway PR holders take. Here's what it requires, and how to get there cleanly.

Core requirements (by conferral)

Permanent resident — you hold a permanent visa (or are otherwise a permanent resident) at time of application and decision.
Residence requirement — generally four years' lawful residence immediately before applying, including the last 12 months as a PR; absences no more than 12 months total over the four years, and no more than 90 days in the final year.
Good character — an assessment of your character, including police checks.
Citizenship test — required if you're aged 18–59; covers Australia's democratic beliefs, rights, responsibilities and values.
Close link to Australia — you intend to live in, or maintain a close and continuing association with, Australia.

The citizenship test

Applicants aged 18–59 sit the Australian citizenship test, based on the official resource booklet. It covers Australia's history, democracy, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and includes questions on Australian values that must be answered correctly. Preparation is straightforward with the official materials — the bigger risk in most applications is the residence and character evidence, not the test.

From PR to citizen — plan the four years

Because the residence requirement counts your time and absences over four years, the smart approach is to track them from the day your permanent visa is granted — particularly overseas travel, which can push out your eligibility. If you're still on a provisional or skilled pathway, citizenship is the endpoint: skilled migration or regional PR → permanent residence → citizenship.

General information only. Citizenship requirements, concessions, the test and processing times are set by the Department of Home Affairs and change — always verify the current rules for your situation. This page is not migration advice. For your situation, engage our registered migration agent under a written service agreement (MARN 1576536).

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become an Australian citizen?

The most common route is citizenship by conferral, for permanent residents. In broad terms you must be a permanent resident, meet the residence requirement (generally four years' lawful residence in Australia immediately before applying, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident), be of good character, pass the citizenship test if you're aged 18–59, and intend to live in or maintain a close and continuing link with Australia. You then attend a ceremony and make the Australian Citizenship Pledge.

What is the residence requirement for Australian citizenship?

Generally, you must have been lawfully resident in Australia for four years immediately before applying, with at least the last 12 months held as a permanent resident. In that four-year period you can't have been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in total, and no more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before you apply. Some limited concessions apply — for example for certain partners of citizens, or people in particular circumstances. Always confirm the current rules for your situation.

Do I have to sit the citizenship test?

If you are aged 18 to 59 and applying by conferral, yes — you must pass the Australian citizenship test. It covers Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and responsibilities, and Australian values, based on the official resource booklet, and includes questions you must answer correctly on Australian values. Applicants under 18 or 60 and over are generally not required to sit the test.

How long does Australian citizenship take?

Processing times for citizenship by conferral are published by the Department of Home Affairs and vary — often several months to over a year from application to ceremony, depending on the workload and your circumstances. A complete, well-evidenced application that clearly meets the residence and character requirements is the best way to avoid delays. Check the Department's current published processing times for citizenship.

What are the benefits of Australian citizenship?

Citizenship gives you an Australian passport, the right to vote, the ability to enter and leave Australia freely without a visa, access to consular assistance overseas, eligibility for certain government jobs and to stand for Parliament, and the security of a status that cannot be cancelled like a visa. For many permanent residents it is the final step that makes Australia truly home.