Citizenship by Conferral
Citizenship by Conferral
Citizenship by conferral is the standard pathway for Australian permanent residents who have lived in Australia for the required period and meet the character and knowledge requirements. It is the most common way migrants become Australian citizens. Citizenship is formally conferred at a citizenship ceremony after the application is approved.
The conferral pathway
To apply for citizenship by conferral, the applicant must be a permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, must have lived in Australia lawfully for four years in the period immediately before the application date, and must have held a permanent visa or Special Category Visa (subclass 444) for at least the last 12 months of that period.
Absence limits apply. The applicant must not have been outside Australia for more than 12 months in total during the four-year period, and not more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before the application. These are maximums, not targets. Time on temporary visas counts toward the four-year total but not toward the 12-month permanent residency requirement.
Once approved, most applicants must attend a citizenship ceremony and make the Australian Citizenship Pledge before citizenship is formally conferred. Ceremonies are typically conducted by local councils. Applicants are required to attend within 12 months of approval.
Core requirements
4-year lawful residence
Must have been in Australia lawfully for the 4 years immediately before the application. No more than 12 months total absence in that period and no more than 90 days in the final year.
12 months as a permanent resident
Must have held a permanent visa or eligible SCV for at least the 12 months immediately before the application date. Time spent on temporary visas does not satisfy this requirement.
Citizenship test
Applicants aged 18 to 59 must pass the citizenship test. The test covers Australian values, history, and civic responsibilities. A score of at least 75% is required, and all five Australian values questions must be answered correctly.
Good character
All applicants aged 18 and over must satisfy the good character requirement. Criminal convictions in Australia and overseas, honesty in dealings with government, and any associations that raise concern are all assessed.
Test exemptions
Applicants aged 60 and over, applicants with a permanent physical or mental incapacity, and applicants with a permanent loss or substantial impairment of hearing, speech, or sight are exempt from the citizenship test.
4 years
Total lawful residence
12 months
As permanent resident
90 days
Max absence in final year
75%
Minimum test score
Why instruct Visa Plan?
Residence calculation
The four-year calculation is technical. Temporary visa periods, bridging visa periods, and absences are treated differently. We confirm whether the requirements are met before any application is prepared and identify any waiting period that remains.
Character and disclosure
Full disclosure of prior conduct is required. We advise on what must be disclosed, how it is likely to be assessed, and the best way to address character concerns before the application is submitted.
Complex applications
Extended absences, name inconsistencies, offshore circumstances, and prior visa refusals all require careful handling. We manage the full application and any additional evidence requests from the Department.
Citizenship by conferral information is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 and is current as at 13 May 2026. Eligibility criteria and residence requirements are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.