Permanent residents of Australia
The main group. PR for at least 12 months immediately before applying, plus 4 years lawful residence total.
Standard Pathway for Permanent Residents
You have held PR for over a year. You have lived in Australia most of the last four years. You are ready.
This page takes you through the conferral pathway line by line. The residence maths, the test, the character questions, and the ceremony.
Who can apply for conferral
Three groups of applicants.
Conferral is the standard pathway. Three specific groups qualify.
New Zealand citizens (special pathway)
Specific criteria apply to New Zealand citizens under arrangements between the two countries.
Some children of PRs born in Australia
Children of permanent residents born in Australia after specific dates have citizenship pathways.
Not citizenship by descent
If your parent was Australian at the time of your birth, see descent instead. Different rules, no residence requirement.
The residence calculation
Count carefully. Keep a log.
Residence miscalculations are the most common reason for conferral refusal. Short trips add up.
The 4-year ruleCounted backwards from the date of application. Lawfully present in Australia with total absence not exceeding 12 months.
The 12-month ruleThe most recent 12 months must be as a permanent resident. Absences during these 12 months cannot exceed 90 days.
Common miscalculationsA week for a wedding, a week for a family emergency, a 3-week holiday. Keep a log of every departure and return. Use passport stamps to verify.
Lawful presence countsAny valid visa counts as lawful residence, including bridging visas. Unlawful time does not count.
Test and character
Two doors to pass through.
The citizenship test and character assessment are both required. Most applicants meet both with preparation.
Test structure
20 multiple-choice questions. 5 mandatory Australian values questions (all must be correct). 15 remaining questions at 75% pass rate. See test preparation.
Character review
Criminal records from Australia and other countries. Immigration history including visa refusals or cancellations. Pending charges. Tax compliance and family obligations.
The ceremony
The final step. Usually conducted by local council. Pledge of Commitment made as oath or affirmation. Citizenship takes effect from the moment the pledge is made.
Some councils run ceremonies monthly; others hold them every few months.
If you need earlier citizenship for travel reasons (representing Australia, urgent consular assistance), request a priority ceremony with supporting evidence.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For conferral applications, book with Sourabh Aggarwal.
Do I need to be physically present in Australia when I apply?
Not strictly, you can lodge from overseas. But the ceremony itself must be attended in Australia.
Can I include my children in my application?
Children under 16 on permanent visas can be included as dependents. Children over 16 must apply independently.
What if I have a minor conviction?
Minor convictions do not automatically disqualify. Disclose fully and provide context. Convictions under 12 months are more easily addressed than longer sentences.
How much does citizenship cost?
Fees are set by the Department and change periodically. As at 2026, the conferral fee sits in the high hundreds of dollars, with concessions for certain applicants.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.