Become an Australian Citizen — With Expert Guidance You Can Trust!

For Permanent Residents and New Zealand SCV Holders

Becoming an Australian citizen is a significant milestone. It marks your full integration into the Australian community and gives you the right to vote, apply for an Australian passport, access full government services, and participate in shaping Australia’s future. The most common way to become an Australian citizen is through the process of conferral.

This pathway is open to permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens who hold a Special Category Visa (subclass 444). To apply, you must meet certain residence, character, and eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Requirements

You may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship by conferral if you:

• Are a permanent resident of Australia, or

• Are a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category Visa (subclass 444)

• Are in Australia when your application is decided (in most cases)

• Intend to live in Australia or maintain a close and continuing link with Australia while overseas

New Zealand citizens holding an SCV are considered permanent residents for citizenship purposes. If you are under 60 or do not have an impairment, this pathway likely applies to you.

Including Children in Your Application

• A parent can include a dependent child aged 15 or younger in their application at no extra cost, provided the child is also a permanent resident.

• Children aged 16 or 17 must apply separately and pay the relevant fee.

• If a parent is not applying, a child 15 or younger can still apply but must do so individually and pay the applicable fee.

Residence Requirement

Most applicants must meet the general residence requirement:

• Have lived in Australia on a valid visa for four years immediately before applying

• Have held a permanent visa or SCV for the 12 months immediately before applying

• Not have been outside Australia for more than 12 months total during the last four years, including no more than 90 days in the 12 months before applying

Children under 16 do not need to meet this requirement but must be permanent residents.

If you are an SCV holder, you are considered a permanent resident for citizenship purposes even while outside Australia, provided you held the SCV immediately before your departure.

Calculating Permanent Residence for SCV Holders

For New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category Visa:

• If your SCV was granted before 1 July 2022, you are considered a permanent resident from 1 July 2022.

• If your SCV was granted on or after 1 July 2022, you are considered a permanent resident from the grant date.

• These rules do not apply if you were removed or deported from Australia under the Migration Act 1958.

New Zealand Stream Subclass 189 Visa Holders

For New Zealand citizens holding a New Zealand stream Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa:

• If granted between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022, you are considered a permanent resident from 1 January 2022.

• If granted on or after 1 January 2023, your permanent residence is counted from the grant date.

• You do not need to hold this visa for 12 months before applying.

You must still meet the general residence requirement, including living in Australia for four years on a valid visa and meeting the required physical presence periods.

Exemptions and Special Circumstances

You may be exempt from the residence requirement if you:

• Are under 16 years of age

• Were born to a former Australian citizen who lost their citizenship before 4 April 2002

• Were born in Papua before 16 September 1975 to an Australian citizen

• Are a member of the Australian Defence Force and meet the ADF exemption criteria

Australian Defence Force Exemption

If you or your family members hold one of the following visas granted after 1 July 2007 and you have served in the Australian Defence Force, exemptions may apply:

• Labour Agreement (Migrant) (class AU)

• Labour Agreement (Residence) (class BV)

• Employer Nomination (Permanent) (class EN)

• Regional Employer Nomination (Permanent) (class RN)

You or your family members may be exempt from the residence requirement if you:

• Served at least 90 days in the permanent forces

• Served 90 paid service days in the reserves

• Were medically discharged due to service

• Died while undertaking service

Ministerial Discretion

In limited situations, the Minister may use discretion to consider time spent in Australia as lawful or as time spent as a permanent resident. These include:

• Administrative errors leading to unlawful status

• Periods of temporary residency due to hardship

• Spouse or de facto relationships with Australian citizens

• Interdependent relationships

• Time spent in prison or psychiatric care may also be considered, depending on circumstances

These can only be assessed during a citizenship application and require strong supporting documentation.

Special Residence Requirement

This may apply if you are seeking to engage in a specific activity of benefit to Australia and do not have time to meet the general residence requirement. You must:

• Be required to be an Australian citizen for the activity

• Have been ordinarily resident in Australia on a permanent visa for at least two years

• Have lived in Australia for 180 days in the past two years, including at least 90 days in the past year

Eligible activities include:

• Representing Australia in sports via organisations such as the Olympic Committee, Tennis Australia, Cricket Australia

• Employment requiring NV2 or higher security clearance in Commonwealth departments

• Senior executive roles with ASX 200 companies

• Recognised academic, scientific, or medical research roles

• Global Talent visa holders with activity in the same field as their visa grant

Character Requirement

Applicants aged 18 and over must be of good character. This includes:

• No serious criminal convictions

• No adverse immigration history

• No associations with individuals or groups of concern

• Honesty and integrity in dealings with Australian government bodies

Knowledge of Australia

Most applicants must sit the Australian citizenship test. You must demonstrate:

• Basic English proficiency

• Knowledge of Australia’s history, culture, laws, and government

• Understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship

• Commitment to Australian values of freedom, respect, and equality

You must answer at least 75% of the questions correctly, including all five questions on Australian values.

Language Requirement

English is Australia’s national language. A basic level of English is required to complete the test and participate in Australian society. Exemptions apply in limited cases.

Close and Continuing Link to Australia

Applicants must demonstrate a genuine connection to Australia. This may include:

• Living arrangements and property ownership in Australia

• Employment and financial commitments in Australia

• Family members who are Australian citizens or permanent residents

• Active participation in community life and social networks

• Migration history and travel patterns

Situations That Will Prevent Approval

Your application cannot be approved if:

• You are outside Australia at the time of decision (unless exempt)

• You are currently in prison or a psychiatric facility

• You are subject to court orders or pending legal matters

• You were an Australian citizen and ceased to be one in the past 12 months

• You are assessed as a risk to national security

• Your identity cannot be verified

• You are issued a refusal

Processing Times

Processing times vary depending on the completeness of your application and the verification process. Delays may occur if:

• Your application is incomplete

• You fail to provide required documents

• Further information or checks are required

• The application fee is not paid correctly

You can track your application progress via ImmiAccount.

Travelling Outside Australia

Let the Department know if you plan to travel while your application is being processed. In most cases, your application cannot be approved while you are outside Australia. If you are approved, you must attend a citizenship ceremony within 12 months or risk cancellation.

Ensure you hold a valid visa (such as a Resident Return visa) if you plan to leave and return to Australia.

Citizenship Ceremony

Most applicants will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony to make the Pledge of Commitment. After taking the pledge, you will receive your citizenship certificate.

If a ceremony is not required, your certificate will be posted to you via registered mail.

Wait times for ceremonies vary depending on your local council.

After You Become a Citizen

• You may apply for an Australian passport through the Australian Passport Office

• You must enrol to vote if aged 18 or over. Details are provided at your ceremony

• You must notify the Department of any errors on your citizenship certificate within six weeks

• Changes due to applicant error may require a new application and fee

Ready to Begin Your Citizenship Journey?

Applying for Australian citizenship can be a complex and detailed process, especially when navigating exemptions, SCV rules, or ministerial discretions. At Migration Unity, our expert team ensures your application is accurate, complete, and strategically prepared from start to finish.

We help you understand your eligibility, calculate your permanent residence start date, and ensure your supporting evidence meets all Department requirements. Whether you’re a long-term permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen ready to formalise your commitment to Australia, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Book your consultation today and take the next step toward becoming an Australian citizen with confidence.

Australian Citizenship by Descent

If you were born outside Australia and one of your parents was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth, you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship by descent. This pathway allows eligible individuals to claim their Australian nationality based on parentage, even if they have never lived in Australia.

This is not a pathway to a visa or permanent residency. If approved, you become an Australian citizen immediately upon approval of your application.

Who Can Apply

You may be eligible for citizenship by descent if:

• You were born outside Australia on or after 26 January 1949, and

• One or both of your parents was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth

In addition, if your Australian citizen parent acquired citizenship by descent or adoption outside Australia under the Hague Convention or a bilateral arrangement, they must have spent at least two years lawfully in Australia before you lodge your application.

Key Requirements

To apply for Australian citizenship by descent, you must:

• Provide evidence that your parent was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth

• Establish that the person you are claiming descent from is legally recognised as your parent at the time of birth

• Be of good character if you are 18 years of age or older

• Have all supporting documents and pay the correct fee at the time of application

If you are applying on behalf of a child aged 15 years or younger, a parent or legal guardian must complete and sign the application form.

It is important to note that:

• This application does not attract a bridging visa. You must hold a valid visa if you are in Australia while applying.

• If you are already an Australian citizen and only need proof of this, you must apply for Evidence of Australian Citizenship, not citizenship by descent.

Character Requirement (For Applicants Aged 18 or Over)

To be granted citizenship by descent, applicants aged 18 and over must be of good character. This is assessed by the Department of Home Affairs and refers to the enduring moral qualities of the person. They will consider:

• Criminal convictions or charges in Australia or overseas

• Any court-imposed obligations, including parole, bail or good behaviour bonds

• Association with individuals or organisations of concern

• Any history of providing false or misleading information to the Australian Government

• Incidents of domestic or family violence

You must disclose any such matters honestly and completely as part of your application.

Processing Times

Citizenship by descent applications vary in processing time depending on the complexity of the case and the quality of the application. Your application may take longer to process if:

• It is incomplete or missing key documents

• Further information or verification is required

• You do not pay the correct fee at the time of lodgement

Applications will not be assessed until the correct fee is received. You can check your application status through your ImmiAccount. It is your responsibility to keep your contact details updated and inform the Department of any change in circumstances.

Travelling While Your Application Is in Progress

If you are outside Australia at the time of application, ensure you have a valid passport and visa if you plan to enter Australia.

If you are in Australia and plan to travel internationally while your application is being processed, you must hold a valid visa with re-entry rights. Citizenship by descent applications do not grant a bridging visa, and you must not allow your immigration status to lapse.

Let the Department know if you plan to relocate permanently overseas or undertake travel that may affect your availability for further communication.

Outcome of Your Application

Once a decision has been made, the Department of Home Affairs will notify you in writing.

• If your application is approved, you will become an Australian citizen on the day of approval. You will receive your citizenship certificate by registered post.

• If your application is refused, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons for refusal and outlining your rights to a review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, including the time limits and where to lodge the request.

Errors on Your Citizenship Certificate

If you notice an error in your citizenship certificate (such as incorrect spelling of your name or wrong date of birth), contact the Department as soon as possible:

• If the error was made by the Department, and you notify them within six weeks, you may not need to apply for a corrected certificate

• If the error was due to incorrect details supplied in the application or you notify them after six weeks, you may need to apply for a replacement certificate and pay the associated fee

Applying for an Australian Passport

Once you have received your citizenship certificate, you may apply for an Australian passport. Visit the Australian Passport Office website or contact your nearest Australian diplomatic or consular mission for application steps and processing times.

You cannot apply for a passport until your citizenship by descent application has been formally approved.

Ready To Take The First Step?

If you were born overseas to an Australian citizen parent, you may already be entitled to Australian citizenship.

At Migration Unity, we help you confirm your eligibility, gather the required documentation, and prepare a complete and accurate citizenship by descent application. We also provide guidance on complex cases, including international adoptions, surrogacy, and situations involving descent through parents who became citizens by descent or overseas adoption.

Book a consultation today and take the next step toward securing your Australian citizenship with confidence and expert support.