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How to Meet the Australian Citizenship Requirements

Becoming an Australian citizen is often the end goal for many people migrating to Australia. It indicates your desire to call Australia home and comes with many benefits. For example, these include the ability to:
 
  • Vote and seek election;
  • Work in the federal government and defence jobs;
  • Receive financial assistance for higher education;
  • Obtain Australian consular help while overseas; 
  • Freely travel in and out of the country, as Australian citizens can remain outside Australia for an unlimited time and return without applying for a visa; and
  • Hold an Australian passport.
     
Whatever your motivator, becoming an Australian citizen can be an exciting event. However, the process is often long and draining. This article will discuss the requirements for becoming an Australian citizen.
Australian Citizenship by Birth
If you are born in Australia, and one or both of your parents are Australian citizens or permanent
residents of Australia, you most likely acquired Australian citizenship. There is no particular application requirement for this pathway. As you are born in Australia to at least one Australian citizen or permanent resident, you most likely would have been issued a birth certificate showing this information.
Australian Citizenship by Descent
If you are born overseas to at least one Australian citizen or permanent resident parent, this could be a citizenship pathway for you. However, there are two general requirements:
 
  • You must have at least one Australian citizen or permanent resident parent; and
  • You must be of good character if you are 18 years or above. The character requirement is discussed further below.

Please note that there could be an additional requirement if you claim that you were born overseas to at least one permanent resident parent who subsequently became an Australian citizen. We recommend speaking to one of our immigration lawyers for more tailored legal advice.
Australian Citizenship by Grant
If you are a non-citizen of Australia, you can apply to become an Australian citizen. The most
important requirements of obtaining Australian citizenship by grant or conferral are that you must:
 
  • Be aged over 16;
  • Be the holder of a valid permanent resident permit;
  • Obtain a police check;
  • Meet the residency requirements;
  • Pass the Australian citizenship test and demonstrate sufficient English language skills;
  • Demonstrate integration into the Australian community and an intention to continue living in Australia or to maintain a close relationship with Australia; and
  • Currently live in Australia.
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* Children under 16 do not need to meet the residency requirements and may be included in the
parents’ application, provided the child is a permanent resident.

Character Requirements

Applicants over 18 must be of good character. This generally refers to the ‘enduring moral qualities of a person’. Suppose a person is found to be of good character. In that case, the Department of Home Affairs considers that they are likely to uphold and obey the laws of Australia and other commitments made during the citizenship pledge. For example, in determining whether you are a person of good character, the Department will likely consider:
 
  • Any criminal convictions;
  • Obligations you may have to a court in Australia or overseas;
  • Your association with people of concern;
  • Incidents of reported domestic violence; and
  • Whether you have been honest in your dealings with the Australian community, including providing false or misleading information concerning a visa or citizenship application. 

Criminal convictions in Australia or overseas may prevent you from applying for Australian citizenship by conferral.

Residency Requirements

To become an Australian citizen, you must have continuously and legally lived in Australia for at least the last 4 years. In those 4 years, you must have been a permanent resident for the 12 months immediately preceding your citizenship application. In addition, you must not have been absent from Australia for more than 12 months during those 4 years. Further to this, you must not have been absent from Australia for more than 90 days in the last year.
For instance, suppose you moved to Australia on January 2018 with a 600 visa. You were then granted a PARTNER 820 visa on March 2021. Assuming that you were not absent from Australia for more than 12 months from January 2018 to January 2023 and not absent for more than 90 days from January 2022 to January 2023, you will meet the residence requirement by January 2023 and can submit your citizenship application.
Interestingly, there are certain exemptions around the general residence requirement. However, they only apply to a select few, such as: 
 
  • Ship crew members;
  • High-ranking officials of an ASX All Australian 200 listed companies; or
  • A holder of a Distinguished Talent visa or Global Talent visa.

In these instances, you are only required to have been in Australia for 480 days in the last four years and be present for at least 120 days for the 12 months immediately preceding your citizenship application. Suppose you were absent for several months and wonder how that will affect your citizenship application, or you think the special residence requirement applies to you. In that case, were commend speaking to one of our immigration lawyers. Significantly, suppose you are a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category visa and meet the four-year residence and other eligibility requirements. In that case, you may be able to apply directly for citizenship without becoming a permanent resident. This new direct pathway is available from 1 July 2023.
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Citizenship Test

To be eligible for Australian citizenship, you must demonstrate that you understand what it means to be an Australian citizen. Therefore, you must take a citizenship test. During the test, you must show that you have the following:
 
  • A basic knowledge of the English language;
  • An understanding of what it means to become an Australian citizen;
  • Adequate knowledge of Australia and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship; and
  • An understanding and commitment to Australian values based on freedom, respect and equality.
 
You must score at least 75% on the test and correctly answer all five questions on Australian values to meet the knowledge requirements for gaining citizenship. In addition to the citizenship test, you must also meet the English language requirement.

Close and Continuing Link to Australia

As part of the application process, you must also demonstrate that you intend to make a long-term commitment to Australia and maintain a close and continuing link to the country while overseas. The Department of Home Affairs may consider the following when determining whether you have a close and continuing link to Australia:
 
  • A child who is an Australian citizen;
  • A partner who is an Australian citizen and the length of your relationship; 
  • Whether or not you are present in Australia while the citizenship application is being processed;
  • Extended family in Australia;
  • A bank account in Australia;
  • A job in Australia;
  • Paid income tax in Australia; and
  • Property in Australia.

Citizenship Ceremony

If you meet the requirements of Australian citizenship and your application is approved, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony within 12 months. You are not an Australian citizen until you have attended your ceremony. Local authorities organize these ceremonies. Your citizenship ceremony will generally be within six months of your application approval. During the citizenship ceremony, you must make the Australian Citizenship pledge. The pledge is a public commitment to Australia and shows that you accept the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.

Key Takeaways

Becoming an Australian citizen is a lengthy but rewarding process. Therefore, there are many requirements you must meet to be eligible for citizenship. For example, these include being of good character, meeting residency requirements, passing a citizenship test, and having a close and continuing link to Australia.  If you need assistance seeking Australian citizenship, our experienced Migration Agent can assist.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the benefits of Australian citizenship?
Among other things, Australian citizenship allows you access to an Australian passport, the ability to vote and run for candidacy, and free travel in and out of the country.

What is the residency requirement?
You must have lived in Australia for the past four years before applying for citizenship. Additionally, you must not have been absent for more than 12 months in those four years. Furthermore, you must not have been absent for more than 90 days in the last year of those four years.

What scores do I need to achieve under the Australian citizenship test?
You must score at least 75% on the test and correctly answer all five questions on Australian values to pass the Australian citizenship test.
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