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Citizenship lawyers in Melbourne
For permanent residents in Melbourne, citizenship is usually the last step after years on visas. We check that you meet the residence and character requirements before you apply, prepare the application and help with the matters that most often hold one up.
Book a consultation
Or call (03) 9958 5854
Citizenship in brief
Most permanent residents become citizens by conferral. The general residence requirement in section 22 of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 asks three things: that you were present in Australia for the 4 years before you apply, with total absences of no more than 12 months; that you were a permanent resident for the last 12 of those months, with absences of no more than 90 days while a permanent resident; and that you were not in Australia as an unlawful non-citizen in that 4 year period.
You also need to be of good character and, in most cases, sit the citizenship test. People born in Australia, children born overseas to an Australian parent and former citizens have their own pathways. See our page on citizenship by conferral for more.
Applying from Melbourne
Many Melbourne clients come to citizenship after a partner, skilled or employer sponsored visa, and their questions are usually about the count of days. Clients who work for companies with offices overseas, or who return home for family reasons, often have more travel than they remember, and the 90 day limit in the final year catches people out.
Once approved, Melbourne residents are typically invited to a ceremony arranged by their local council, which is where citizenship takes effect when you make the pledge.
For the full rules, subclasses and current processing information, see our national citizenship page.
How we work with Melbourne applicants
A citizenship check is often a single meeting. Bring your passports, your list of trips and your visa grant letters to Level 13, 257 Collins Street, or send them ahead and meet us by video. We give you a written answer on whether you meet the residence requirement now and, if not, when you will.
Where there is a complication, such as a character matter, an earlier visa cancellation or a child whose parent overseas has not consented, the matter goes further and we explain the cost before any more work is done. To count your own days first, use the citizenship residence calculator.
Our Melbourne office
Visa Plan LawyersLevel 13, 257 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8:45 am to 5:15 pm, closed on Victorian public holidays
- Phone
- (03) 9958 5854
Government charges
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Citizenship by conferral (general eligibility) | $595 |
| Citizenship application, other situations | $365 |
| Citizenship by descent | $380 |
| Evidence of Australian citizenship | $290 |
A concession fee applies to holders of a valid Pensioner Concession Card, and no fee applies to a child under 16 included on a responsible parent's conferral application.
Checked on 22-10-2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs: Form 1298i, Citizenship application fees. Our professional fees are separate and are quoted in writing before you instruct us.
How the matter runs
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Eligibility check
We count your days in and out of Australia against the 4 year and 12 month periods and look at your visa history and any character issues.
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Choosing the date
If you do not meet the requirement yet, we tell you the earliest date you will, so the application is not lodged too soon.
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Application
We prepare the online application and supporting documents, including identity documents and those for any children included.
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Test or interview
The Department contacts you about a citizenship appointment. We explain what to expect and what to bring.
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Ceremony
After approval you receive an invitation to a ceremony, usually arranged by your local council, where you make the pledge of commitment.
Questions from Melbourne clients
Where will my citizenship ceremony be held if I live in Melbourne?
You do not choose the place or date. According to the Department of Home Affairs, after your application is approved you receive a letter of invitation, about four weeks before the ceremony, from either your local council or the Department, and local councils usually arrange the ceremonies. For most Melbourne residents that means a ceremony arranged by their council.
Will I have to sit the citizenship test?
The Department says most applicants for citizenship by conferral aged between 18 and 59 years will have an appointment to sit the citizenship test, and others may only have an interview. The test covers English and knowledge of Australia and Australian citizenship, based on the official resource Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond.
I travel overseas often for work from Melbourne. Do I meet the residence requirement?
The general residence requirement allows total absences of no more than 12 months in the 4 years before you apply, and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months while a permanent resident. Frequent travellers are the clients most likely to miss it by a few days, so we count the trips from your travel records before you apply. Our citizenship residence calculator gives a first check.
Can my children be included in my application?
A child under 16 can be included on a responsible parent's conferral application, and the fee for that child is nil. Older children apply in their own right. We check each child's position when we look at the family's application.
What if my visa history includes a period without a visa?
Time in Australia as an unlawful non-citizen during the 4 year period means the general residence requirement is not met, even if it was brief. If there is any gap in your visa history, bring your records to the first meeting so we can check it before you apply.
New citizens, in their own words
5.0 from 250+ client reviews on Google.
★★★★★
"Highly highly highly recommend Lawyer Andrew and his team they are the best of the best. They are very informative. Extremely helpful throughout all my citizenship application I can't thank you enough."
Reviewed by James Bae, Managing Director and Principal Immigration Lawyer. This page is general information about Australian migration law and is not legal advice for your circumstances.