Permanent residents of Australia who have resided in Australia for the required period of time, and meet all other requirements can be eligible to make an application for Australian citizenship by conferral. Those who have been conferred citizenship have the same rights and privileges as any other Australian citizen, including the right to vote and the right to an Australian passport. Citizens by conferral are also subject to the same responsibilities as other Australian citizens, including the responsibility to serve on a jury and defend Australia should the need arise.
Eligibility Criteria:
Each applicant must:
- be a permanent resident of Australia (and have been a permanent resident for at least the last 12 months) or a New Zealand citizen holding a TY444 visa;
- have lawfully resided in Australia for at least the last 4 years immediately before applying;
- NOT have been outside Australia for more than a total of 1 year in the last 4 years (and no more than 90 days during the last 12 months);
- be likely to reside in, or maintain a close and continuing connection with, Australia;
- be of good character for those who ages are 18 years or older,
Citizenship Test
Once the Department of Immigration and Border Protection has processed your application and assessed that you meet the requirements, you will be asked to attend an appointment, at which you will sit the citizenship test. This test contains questions regarding the rights and responsibilities of Australian citizenship, along with questions relating to life in Australia and what it means to be an Australian citizen. Each eligible adult applicant must sit this test. The Australian citizenship test resource book is available on the Department’s website for your preparation and study before taking the test. You are required to pass 15 out of 20 test questions.
Citizenship Ceremony
After you have passed your citizenship test and your application has been approved, you will need to attend a citizenship ceremony. Generally, the ceremony will take place within 3 – 6 months of the date that your application is approved, although waiting times vary depending on different local councils. Attending a citizenship ceremony is a must for all eligible adult applicants (there are very few exceptions to this requirement)
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