Australian citizenship by conferral
general eligibility
Citizenship by conferral is the main way permanent residents become Australian citizens under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007. Applicants generally need 4 years of lawful residence in Australia, including 12 months as a permanent resident, within set absence limits. Most applicants aged 18 to 59 sit a 20-question citizenship test, and most adults then make the pledge of commitment at a ceremony to become citizens.
1 entry rule for Australia based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Health screening after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list) in the last 6 days
Travellers over 1 year entering Australia within 6 days of staying overnight or longer in a yellow fever risk country are asked for a valid yellow fever certificate; entry is not refused without one. Without one: not refused entry: may be referred to a biosecurity officer and given information/an action card; must promptly seek medical assessment if symptoms develop within 6 days of leaving the risk place.
Australian Government Department of Health: Yellow fever Australian Government: Yellow fever fact sheet (holds Australia's list of risk countries and areas) Australian Immunisation Handbook: Yellow fever WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia): Human health – advice to travellers Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Australia
Money
3
Currency
Australian Dollar
AUD
Australian Dollar
Cost of living
94
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
15–45%
Income tax (national)
GST 10%
2026-27: first AUD 18,200 tax-free; 45% above AUD 190,000. Plus 2% Medicare levy.
Living
1
Happiness
#15 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Members
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Permanent residents of Australia, and New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa, who have lived in Australia long enough and plan to keep living there or keep a close link to Australia.
Eligibility
Permanent resident or SCV holder
You and everyone on the application must hold a permanent visa, or be a New Zealand citizen with an SCV (subclass 444), at application and decision.
- SCV holders are treated as permanent residents for citizenship
Official wording
You and everyone included in the application must hold a permanent visa, or be a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa, both when you apply and when the decision is made. SCV holders are treated as permanent residents for citizenship purposes.
General residence requirementApplicants aged 16 and over
You need 4 years living in Australia on a valid visa before applying, including 12 months as a permanent visa or SCV holder.
Residence periods
- Lived in Australiaimmediately before applying
- 4 years
- Permanent visa or SCVlast part of the 4 years
- 12 months
- Applies to applicants aged 16 and over
- Permanent residence counts from grant in Australia or first entry on it
- Home Affairs publishes a Residence Calculator
Official wording
You must have lived in Australia on a valid visa for the 4 years immediately before applying, and held a permanent visa or SCV for the last 12 months of that period. Permanent residence counts from the date the permanent visa was granted in Australia or the date you first entered Australia on it; Home Affairs publishes a Residence Calculator.
Absence limitsGeneral residence requirement
You must not be outside Australia for more than the limits below before you apply.
Maximum time outside Australia
- Last 4 yearsin total
- 12 months
- Last 12 monthsin total, within the 12 months
- 90 days
Official wording
You must not have been outside Australia for more than 12 months in total in the 4 years before applying, including no more than 90 days in total in the 12 months immediately before applying.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementSpecial residence requirement: activities of benefit to Australia
- Document checklistFull birth certificate (or accepted alternative)
- FeesCitizenship by conferral, general eligibility (standard)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 9 more requirements
- 11 documents
- 8 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Australia
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- Become an Australian citizen (by conferral) - Permanent residents including NZ SCV holders (Home Affairs)
- Citizenship processing times (Home Affairs)
- Learn about the citizenship test (Home Affairs)
- Prepare for the citizenship test (Home Affairs)
- Citizenship ceremony (Home Affairs)
- Australian Citizenship Regulation 2016, Compilation No. 23 (1 July 2026), Schedule 3
- Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026
- Form 1298i Citizenship application fees (Home Affairs)
- Travelling as a dual citizen (Home Affairs)
Other routes to Australia
- Visit & tourismVisitor visa (subclass 600) – Tourist stream (apply outside Australia), with ETA (subclass 601) and eVisitor (subclass 651) for eligible passports
- StudyStudent visa
- Work permitsSkills in Demand visa (subclass 482) – Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams
- Skilled migrationSkilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – Points-tested stream
- Asylum & protectionProtection visa
