Citizenship by conferral: eligibility, test and timeline (2026)
Current as at 3 July 2026. The citizenship by conferral (general eligibility) application fee is $595 from 1 July 2026 (it was $575). Concessional and nil-fee categories are unchanged; other citizenship fees vary. Confirm current fees and requirements at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. This is general information, not legal advice.
For most permanent residents, becoming Australian happens through citizenship by conferral. It is the final step of a long journey - and, on paper, one of the more straightforward parts of the migration system. But the residence rules are precise, the absences are counted to the day, and a single miscalculation can mean an application that is refused or simply sent back. This guide sets out the eligibility requirements, the citizenship test, the $595 fee, the timeline to a ceremony, and the 2026 change that widened a concession for certain applicants.
The general residence requirement
The heart of a conferral application is the general residence requirement. In broad terms, at the day you apply you must:
- have been lawfully living in Australia for the four years immediately before applying (on any valid visa);
- have held a permanent visa (or eligible status) for the last 12 months of that period;
- not have been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in total across the four years; and
- not have been absent for more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before applying.
Two subtleties catch people out. First, “lawfully” is strict - you must not have been an unlawful non-citizen at any point in the four years. Second, the whole four-year period counts towards lawful residence, but only the final 12 months needs to be as a permanent resident. The Department’s online residence calculator is a useful check, but where absences are close to the limits, careful day-counting is essential.
| Requirement | The rule (general guidance) |
|---|---|
| Lawful residence | 4 years immediately before applying, on valid visas, with no period as an unlawful non-citizen |
| Permanent residence | Held for at least the last 12 months of that 4-year period |
| Absences across 4 years | No more than 12 months total outside Australia |
| Absences in final 12 months | No more than 90 days outside Australia |
The other eligibility elements
Meeting the residence requirement is necessary but not the whole picture. A conferral applicant generally also needs to:
- be of good character (a requirement for applicants aged 18 and over);
- have an adequate knowledge of Australia and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship - usually demonstrated by the citizenship test;
- have a basic knowledge of English (for most applicants aged 18 to 59); and
- intend to reside in, or maintain a close and continuing association with, Australia.
Some applicants are exempt from the test - for example those aged 60 and over, or under 18, and people with certain incapacities. Children are usually included on a responsible parent’s application or apply under different provisions.
The citizenship test
Most applicants aged 18 to 59 sit the citizenship test. It is a computer-based, multiple-choice test covering Australia’s democratic beliefs, rights and responsibilities, national symbols, and the values that underpin Australian society. In general terms:
- You must answer a set number of questions and reach the required pass mark, and answer the Australian values questions correctly.
- The official resource booklet published by the Department is the study material - the test is drawn from it.
- If you do not pass the first time, you can generally re-sit.
The test is not designed to be a barrier for a prepared applicant, but it should not be treated casually - preparation from the current official booklet is the reliable way through.
Fees and the 2026 update
The application fee for citizenship by conferral (general eligibility) is $595 from 1 July 2026, a modest CPI-style increase from $575. Unlike the sharp visa charge rises this year, citizenship fees moved only slightly, and concessional and nil-fee categories are unchanged - reduced or nil fees continue to apply to eligible groups (for example certain concession-card holders and some other categories). Other citizenship applications (such as descent or evidence of citizenship) carry different fees; confirm the exact figure for your application type before lodging.
The timeline: from application to ceremony
A conferral application moves through several stages, and the overall time depends heavily on processing and ceremony availability in your area:
- Lodge online through your ImmiAccount, with supporting documents and the fee.
- Test/interview - you are invited to sit the citizenship test (where required) and attend an appointment.
- Decision - the Department approves or refuses the application.
- Ceremony - approved applicants make the Australian Citizenship Pledge at a ceremony, at which citizenship takes effect. Ceremony wait times vary by location and can add several months.
Processing times shift, so treat any single figure as indicative and check current guidance when you apply. The practical takeaway is that the ceremony - not approval - is when you become Australian, and ceremony scheduling is often the longest single wait.
The Special Residence Requirement - 2026 expansion
Some people whose work takes them overseas frequently cannot meet the standard absence limits. For them there is the Special Residence Requirement (SRR), a concession with tighter physical-presence figures (in general terms, being present in Australia for a specified number of days over four years and in the last year) available to people engaged in prescribed kinds of work of benefit to Australia.
In March 2026, the SRR was expanded. An instrument that commenced on 21 March 2026 added two categories of work to the concession: PhD-qualified academics at Australian universities undertaking research and development of benefit to Australia, and ministers of religion in senior leadership roles. If your role involves heavy international travel and falls within a prescribed category, the SRR may make citizenship achievable where the ordinary rules would not. Our companion article on the 2026 Special Residence Requirement expansion explains who qualifies and the evidence involved.
Common pitfalls
- Miscounting absences. The 90-days-in-the-final-year rule catches people who travelled just before applying. Count to the day.
- Applying too early. Lodging before the 12-month permanent-resident period is complete leads to refusal.
- Character issues left unaddressed. Disclose and explain - non-disclosure is far more damaging than the underlying matter.
- Assuming the ceremony is quick. Approval is not the finish line; the ceremony is.
Frequently asked questions
Does time spent in Australia before permanent residence count?
Yes, for the four-year lawful residence element. Time on a valid temporary visa within the four years generally counts towards the four years of lawful residence - you do not have to have been a permanent resident for the whole period. What must fall within it is at least the final 12 months as a permanent resident (or holding eligible status).
What if I’ve spent a lot of time overseas?
The absence limits are strict - no more than 12 months outside Australia across the four years, and no more than 90 days in the final year. If your travel exceeds these, you may need to wait, or you may qualify under the Special Residence Requirement if your work falls within a prescribed category. Count your absences carefully before applying.
Do I have to sit the citizenship test?
Most applicants aged 18 to 59 do. Applicants aged 60 or over, those under 18, and people with certain incapacities are generally exempt. The test is drawn from the current official resource booklet, and you can usually re-sit if you do not pass the first time.
When do I actually become a citizen?
At the citizenship ceremony, when you make the Australian Citizenship Pledge - not when the application is approved. Ceremony wait times vary by location and can add several months, so approval is not quite the finish line.
Can dual citizenship be kept?
Australia permits dual citizenship, but whether your other country of citizenship allows you to keep its citizenship on becoming Australian is governed by that country’s law. Check the position under your home country’s rules before you apply.
Where Rise can help
Most conferral applications are straightforward, but the ones that are not - complex absences, character questions, or eligibility for the Special Residence Requirement - reward getting the analysis right before lodging. Our citizenship practice checks residence calculations, advises on character and disclosure, and prepares SRR applications for people whose work keeps them travelling. If you are ready to take the final step to becoming Australian, or you are unsure whether you yet qualify, book a consultation and we will map your path to a ceremony.