Complete Guide for Permanent Residents and Eligible New Zealand Citizens
Australian citizenship by conferral is the most common pathway for permanent residents to become Australian citizens. This process is governed by eligibility criteria, residence rules, character requirements, and decision-making standards set by the Department of Home Affairs.
This guide explains who can apply, how eligibility is assessed, and the circumstances that may prevent approval.
What Is Australian Citizenship by Conferral?
Citizenship by conferral is a formal application process for individuals who were not born Australian citizens and did not acquire citizenship by descent.
It applies primarily to:
- Australian permanent residents
- New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category visa (subclass 444)
Applicants must meet legal, residence, character, and knowledge requirements before citizenship can be approved.
Who Can Apply for Australian Citizenship by Conferral?
Eligible Applicants
You may apply if you fall into one of the following categories:
- Permanent residents aged 18 to 59
- New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa
- Children aged 15 years or younger applying with a responsible parent
- Children aged 15 years or younger applying on their own, if eligible
- Refugees or humanitarian migrants
- Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme migrants
New Zealand citizens holding an SCV are treated as permanent residents for citizenship purposes.
Age-Based Application Rules
- Children aged 15 or younger may be included in a parent’s application at no additional cost if they are permanent residents.
- Children aged 16 or 17 must apply on their own.
- Applicants aged 60 years or older are assessed under a different eligibility framework.
Core Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Australian citizenship by conferral, you must meet all applicable requirements below.
Visa Status
You must:
- Hold a permanent visa or an SCV at the time of application
- Hold that status at the time the application is decided
In most cases, you must be physically present in Australia when a decision is made.
General Residence Requirement
The general residence requirement is a central eligibility criterion.
At the time of application, you must have:
- Lived in Australia on a valid visa for four years immediately before applying
- Held a permanent visa or SCV for at least the last 12 months
- Not been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in total in the past four years
- Not been absent for more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before applying
Children under 16 do not need to meet the residence requirement but must be permanent residents.
Calculating Permanent Residence
Your permanent residence period starts from:
- The date your permanent visa was granted if you were in Australia, or
- The date you first entered Australia on a permanent visa
The Department provides a Residence Calculator to assess eligibility.
Special Rules for New Zealand Citizens
SCV Holders
For citizenship purposes:
- SCV holders granted the visa before 1 July 2022 are considered permanent residents from 1 July 2022
- SCV holders granted the visa on or after 1 July 2022 are considered permanent residents from the visa grant date
Specific exclusions apply if the applicant was removed or deported from Australia.
New Zealand Stream Skilled Independent (Subclass 189)
Eligibility dates depend on when the visa was granted between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022, or from 1 January 2023 onward.
Some applicants under this stream are not required to hold the visa for 12 months before applying.
Residence Requirement Exemptions
You may be exempt from the general residence requirement if you:
- Are under 16 years of age
- Were born to a former Australian citizen who lost citizenship before 4 April 2002
- Were born in Papua before 16 September 1975 to an Australian citizen parent
- Qualify under Australian Defence Force service exemptions
Supporting evidence is required in all exemption cases.
Ministerial Discretion
In limited circumstances, the Minister may apply discretion when assessing residence requirements, including cases involving:
- Administrative error
- Significant hardship
- Periods of imprisonment or institutionalisation
- Spouses or partners of Australian citizens with close and continuing links to Australia
Discretion cannot be assessed in advance. Evidence must be provided at the time of application.
Ministerial Discretion
In limited circumstances, the Minister may apply discretion when assessing residence requirements, including cases involving:
- Administrative error
- Significant hardship
- Periods of imprisonment or institutionalisation
- Spouses or partners of Australian citizens with close and continuing links to Australia
Discretion cannot be assessed in advance. Evidence must be provided at the time of application.
Special Residence Requirements
Certain applicants may qualify under special residence provisions, including:
- Athletes representing Australia in recognised international competitions
- Roles requiring high level Commonwealth security clearance
- Specific kinds of work involving regular travel
- Certain Global Talent or Distinguished Talent visa holders, where applicable
Each category has defined residence thresholds and documentation requirements.
Character Requirement
Applicants aged 18 or over must be of good character. Assessment may consider:
- Criminal convictions
- Court obligations
- Associations of concern
- Domestic violence incidents
- Honesty in visa and citizenship dealings
Knowledge and Language Requirements
Most applicants must:
- Sit the citizenship test
- Demonstrate basic English proficiency
- Show understanding of Australian values, laws, and responsibilities
A score of at least 75 percent on the citizenship test, including all Australian values questions, meets both knowledge and language requirements.
Close and Continuing Link to Australia
Applicants must demonstrate a genuine commitment to Australia. Factors considered include:
- Living arrangements and property ownership
- Employment and income sources
- Family and schooling ties
- Travel history
- Community participation
Social relationships alone are not sufficient.
When Citizenship Cannot Be Approved
Applications must be refused in certain circumstances, including:
- Unresolved identity concerns
- Pending criminal proceedings
- Recent imprisonment or repeat offending
- National security risks
- Recent loss of Australian citizenship
- Being outside Australia at the time of decision, unless specific exceptions apply
How Professional Guidance Can Assist
Citizenship eligibility is highly fact specific. Residence calculations, exemptions, discretion requests, and character assessments require careful evidence preparation and legal interpretation.
Ugrant Migration provides citizenship guidance under the direction of Joanna Chen, MARA registered migration agent, based on current legislation and Departmental policy.