Australian Citizenship

Citizenship is the final step of a migration pathway, and the step at which a small miscalculation of residence dates produces the greatest number of avoidable refusals. Eligibility should be verified precisely before an application is lodged.

On the day before the application is made, an applicant must generally:

# have been lawfully residing in Australia for four years immediately before applying;

# have held a permanent visa, or a Special Category (subclass 444) visa, for the final twelve months of that period;

# not have been absent from Australia for more than twelve months in total across the four years; and

# not have been absent for more than 90 days in the twelve month

This requirement accounts for the majority of refusals. Short absences accumulate quickly. Residence should be calculated against the

applicant’s complete travel history before any application is lodged.

# Good character, for applicants aged 18 and over.

# A basic knowledge of English and an understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship.

# The citizenship test, comprising 20 questions with a 75% pass mark and including a section on Australian values that must be answered correctly. Applicants aged 60 and over, and applicants aged 17 and under, are not required to sit the test.

# An intention to reside in Australia, or to maintain a close and continuing association with Australia.

# Attendance at a citizenship ceremony and the making of the pledge. Citizenship is acquired at the pledge, not upon approval of the application.

Children aged 15 and under may be included on a responsible parent’s application without an additional charge.

# Residence calculations conducted against complete movement records.

# Applications complicated by character, identity or extended absences.

# Citizenship test preparation.

# Review of citizenship refusals before the Administrative Review Tribunal.