Applying for Citizenship
New direct pathway to citizenship
22 April 2023
Non-protected Special Category Visa-holders who have resided in Australia for at least the past four years can apply directly for citizenship from the 1 July 2023 without needing to apply for a permanent visa.
Back dated PR for NZ 189 visa applicants
10 December 2022
In recognition of the extraordinary wait-times to process the New Zealand Stream 189 visa, NZ citizens who have been or will be granted the visa after 31 December 2021 up to 1 July 2023 can apply for citizenship from 1 January 2023. They do not need to reside as a permanent resident for 12 months. Find out more about back dated PR for NZ 189 visa applicants.
The government are working to clear the backlog NZ 189 visa applications by mid-2023.
Applying for citizenship
The following information is intended for New Zealand citizens who are eligible to apply for citizenship by conferral. If you are applying for citizenship by descent, by birth or at the age of 10 find out more here.
Note: From 1 July 2023 non-protected Special Category Visa-holders who have resided in Australia for at least the previous 4 years are eligible for Australian citizenship.
Before applying
Read the become an Australian citizen information on the Department of Home Affairs website.
When applying for citizenship
- check your eligibility for citizenship
- note when children are applying for citizenship
- apply online
- submit your supporting documents
- attend your citizenship appointment
- take the citizenship test
- pass the character test
- check the processing times
- pay the application fee
- dual citizenship is automatic
Eligibility for citizenship
To apply for citizenship you must have:
- been granted a permanent visa, such as a Resident Return Visa, NZ 189 Visa, or be a Special Category Visa-holder; and
- resided in Australia for the four years immediately prior to applying, with at least the last 12 months as a permanent resident.
- not been outside of Australia for more than 365 days within the last four years, including no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. Contact the Department of Home Affairs about exemptions to the residence requirement.
You may be asked to provide a Centrelink certificate - these are no longer being issued. If you:
- are a Special Category Visa-holder, upload your travel records to prove the date you were first granted a permanent visa.
- were granted a permanent visa, such as Resident Return Visa or the NZ 189 Visa upload your visa grant notice.
Children applying for citizenship
Children must hold a permanent visa and make their own citizenship application.
Children aged 15 and under:
- can be included on their parent's citizenship application at no cost.
- require a full birth certificate, valid passport, and Form 1195 Identity Declaration.
- do not need to meet the 4 years residency requirement if their parent is already an Australian citizen.
Apply online
Create an ImmiAccount to apply for citizenship by conferral online. Special Category Visaholders can use VEVO look up their visa number.
You may not be able to apply for citizenship online if you:
- are a Protected Special Category Visa-holder, (do try to apply online).
- entered Australia before July 1990 and have not travelled outside of Australia since that date.
- are eligible for an application fee exemption or concession.
- are aged under 18 or 60 and over.
If you are unable to apply online, there are different citizenship application forms. If you are aged:
- between 18 and 59 use the General eligibility application form 1300t
- under 18 or 60 and over, use the Other situations application form 1290.
If you are incorrectly charged the $80 non-internet application fee request a refund using Refund Request (Form 1424).
Supporting documents
Expand Step 2 Prepare your documents on the Home Affairs website for full details of the required supporting documents for your citizenship application.
After submitting your citizenship application and payment online you will receive a confirmation email/letter with a Transaction Reference Number (TRN). You can then upload your supporting documents and endorsed photographs. Do not send any original documents to the Department of Home Affairs. You will be required to take them to your citizenship appointment.
Scan or photograph all your supporting documents in colour, one document per file. The scans and photos must be clear. If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file. Give files a descriptive name, for example, John Smith birth certificate.
Note: the ImmiAccount system will only upload jpg files smaller than 500 KB each.
Some of the supporting documents required are:
- identity documents - 3 documents that together show your birth name, date of birth and gender, photograph, signature, and current residential address. A valid passport isn't required, but Oz Kiwi recommends you keep your passport valid.
- your travel records, recommended if not providing your passport details.
- Form 1195 Identity Declaration.
- a NZ criminal history check and NZ Ministry of Justice Authority to Release Information form if you have been to NZ since turning 18, regardless of how long you've lived in Australia. Now only valid for 3 months for Home Affairs purposes. You can request one just prior to, or after, submitting your citizenship application.
- NZ Ministry of Justice Authority to Release Information form.
- police certificates from any country you have resided in for 90 days or more, since turning 18. Note: The Department of Home Affairs will obtain your Australian National Police Check.
- a copy of your discharge papers if you have completed military service.
Home Affairs may also request you complete Personal Particulars for Character Assessment Form 80.
Citizenship appointment
If your citizenship application is accepted, you will be invited to an appointment. The processing officer will view your original supporting documents and take your photograph. You will need your completed Identity declaration and correctly endorsed photographs for yourself and any children included in your application.
Citizenship test
Applicants aged between 18 and 59 are required to sit the citizenship test at their appointment. The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions. You need to get 15 of the 20 questions correct and are given 45 minutes to complete the test - most people take less than 10 minutes. You will need to select your nearest Department of Home Affairs test centre.
Prepare for the test by downloading the Australian Citizenship - Our Common Bond PDF, listening to the Our Common Bond podcast, or trying some practice questions.
If you have a disability, poor computer skills, or need assistance to sit the test, refer to Citizenship test rules on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Character test
All criminal convictions, including historical, “spent” or minor sentences, must be declared on your citizenship application. Failing to do so will see your application declined. You will also fail the character requirements if you have been sentenced to 12 months or more in prison, including historical offending or multiple short sentences totalling more than 12 months. A suspended sentence, ie no jail time was served, is still a prison sentence.
Police check
The Department of Home Affairs will obtain your Australian National Police Check. You will need to provide your New Zealand criminal record if you have been to NZ since turning 18. There is no fee, it remains valid for 3 months, and takes up to 15 days to be processed and emailed to you.
If you have travelled outside of Australia for periods totalling 12 months or more since being granted an Australian permanent visa you must provide a penal clearance for each country you have spent more than 90 days in.
Citizenship processing times
The Department of Home Affairs reports processing times for citizenship by conferral applications on its website.
If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation letter and Home Affairs will invite you to attend a citizenship ceremony. Look up the citizenship ceremony wait times for your local council, or ask your council about the frequency of citizenship ceremonies.
If you change address or renew your passport update your ImmiAccount if you applied online, or use Form 929 notify the Department of Home Affairs.
Application Fee
The citizenship by conferral application fee varies depending on your eligibility, and how you apply. If you are aged:
- 18 to 59 the fee is $490, or $70 if you are on a pension/benefit or hold a healthcare card
- 16 or 17, or 60 and over the fee is $300, or $35 if you are on a pension/benefit or hold a healthcare card
- 15 or under the fee is $300, or at no cost if applying on the same application as a parent.
Dual citizenship
New Zealanders automatically become dual citizens when granted Australian citizenship. As an Australian citizen you must depart and enter Australia on an Australian passport. Outside of Australia you can continue to travel on a New Zealand passport.
Related
Refer to the become an Australian citizen information on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Have a question?
Email the citizenship processing team, phone the Department of Home Affairs on 13 18 81 or contact them via social media. Do not provide your personal details on a public forum.
Disclaimer:
The above “Applying for citizenship” information should not be relied on as an alternative to advice from the Department of Home Affairs, or a professional immigration services provider.
If you have any specific questions about an immigration matter, you should consult the Department of Home Affairs or a professional immigration services provider.