Australian citizenship by conferral
The steps
- Check you meet the residence and character rules.
- Prepare your documents: identity, photos, police certificates and evidence of your link to Australia.
- Apply and pay online in ImmiAccount. You can apply from inside or outside Australia.
- Attend your appointment for the citizenship test or an interview.
- Wait for the decision, which comes in writing.
- Make the pledge at a citizenship ceremony. Most people then receive their certificate.
See the application steps for detail.
What does it cost?
The conferral fee is A$595 for general eligibility from 1 July 2026. There is no cost for a child 15 or younger on a parent's form. See citizenship fees.
How long does it take?
For citizenship by conferral, 50% of applications get a decision in 42 days and 90% within 5 months. From approval to ceremony, 90% of approved applicants are offered a ceremony within 6 months. Counting both, the typical total from application to ceremony is about 7 months, and 90% finish within 11 months. These times are updated monthly. See processing times.
FAQ
Do I have to be a permanent resident?
Yes, or a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa. You must hold that status when you apply and when it is decided.
Do I need to be in Australia?
In most cases you must be in Australia when the decision is made, and you must make the pledge within 12 months of approval.
Can I apply on paper?
Only in some situations, such as having no passport or travel document, being eligible for a fee exemption, or claiming the Australian Defence Force exemption.
Where do I check my progress?
In ImmiAccount if you applied online.
In this section
- Citizenship ceremonyWhat happens at an Australian citizenship ceremony: the invitation, the pledge, what to bring, wait times and what you can do once you're a citizen.
- Citizenship eligibilityWho can become an Australian citizen: permanent residence, the 4-year residence rule, travel limits, good character and knowledge of Australia.
- Australian citizenship feesWhat Australian citizenship costs: the fee by conferral, the concession rate, citizenship by descent, evidence of citizenship, and who pays nothing.
- Citizenship interviewWho gets a citizenship interview instead of the test, what to bring, the kinds of questions you're asked and what happens afterwards.
- Citizenship test topicsWhat the Australian citizenship test covers: the four parts of Our Common Bond, how the five values questions work and how to prepare.
- Australian citizenship testHow the Australian citizenship test works: the number of questions, the pass mark, the values question, booking and what to do if you don't pass.
- Citizenship by descentWho can claim Australian citizenship by descent, the application fee, the evidence you need, good character checks and how long it takes.
- Dual citizenship in AustraliaAustralia allows dual citizenship, but your other country might not. See how it works for India, China, the Philippines, the US and others.
- How to apply for Australian citizenshipThe steps to apply for Australian citizenship by conferral, from checking eligibility and preparing documents to the test, the decision and the ceremony.
- Lost citizenship certificateWhat to do if you lose your Australian citizenship certificate: apply for evidence of citizenship, fix errors and use it to get a passport.