Free tool · Citizenship by conferral · As at 15 October 2026
Citizenship residence calculator
Four years lawfully in Australia, the last 12 months as a permanent resident, and not too long away. Enter the dates and your trips and see the earliest day every part of the general residence requirement is met at once.
Trips outside Australia since the start date
The four tests the calculator applies
- Four years. Lawfully present in Australia for the four years immediately before the application date.
- Twelve months as a permanent resident. The last 12 months of those four as a permanent resident.
- Twelve months away at most. Total absences in the four years no more than 12 months.
- Ninety days in the final year. Absences in the 12 months before applying no more than 90 days.
The tool steps forward from the later of the two anniversaries until a day passes all four tests. Future travel you plan before that date will move it again, so re-run it before booking flights. The citizenship guide covers the exceptions, the test and processing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the residence requirement for Australian citizenship by conferral?
In general terms: four years of lawful residence in Australia immediately before you apply, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident; no more than 12 months outside Australia in total during those four years; and no more than 90 days outside Australia in the 12 months immediately before applying.
Does time on a student or 482 visa count?
Yes. Any period lawfully in Australia on a valid visa counts toward the four years, including temporary visas and bridging visas held lawfully. Only the final 12 months must be as a permanent resident. Time as an unlawful non-citizen does not count and can reset the clock.
Why does the calculator move my date when I add a trip?
Because both absence limits are rolling. A long trip inside the four-year window can push you over 12 months away; any trip in the final year counts toward the 90 days. The tool steps forward day by day until a date satisfies every rule at once, which is why one holiday can shift the earliest date by weeks.
Are there exceptions?
Yes, several: for partners of Australian citizens, people who were in Australia on certain visas before 1 July 2007, Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme arrivals, New Zealand citizens with particular histories, and ministerial discretion in limited cases. The calculator applies only the general requirement.
Check your case
Partners of citizens, long-term New Zealanders and a few other groups have different rules. Tell Keshab your history and he replies personally.
How this works: Keshab reads every case check himself and replies personally, usually within a business day: which route fits, what it turns on, and whether a consultation is worth your money. If it is, he offers you a time; if it is not, he says so.
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