If you’re an expat in Australia who’s fallen in love with the land down under, you might be curious about becoming an Australian citizen. Citizenship can give you many rights and benefits that may otherwise be unavailable to you as a permanent resident.
First, you’ll need to look at the eligibility requirements for citizenship and confirm whether you’re eligible to apply. Once you’ve verified your eligibility, you’ll need to take several other steps, such as passing a citizenship test. Below is our detailed guide on becoming an Australian citizen.
Eligibility Requirements for Australian Citizenship
Some international citizens may be able to obtain Australian citizenship by descent or family relation to someone who is already a citizen of the country.
The most common way to become an Australian citizen is by conferral. In Australia, citizenship by conferral is the process by which a non-citizen voluntarily becomes an Australian citizen.
To become a citizen by conferral, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Reside in Australia
Be of good character
Maintain a close link to Australia
Have basic knowledge of the English language
Reside in Australia
You must be an Australian permanent resident before you can apply for citizenship. However, not all permanent residents and visa holders will qualify unless they meet specific residency requirements.
You must be living in Australia on a valid permanent resident visa for a period of at least four years, up to the day before you submit your application for citizenship.
In addition, you cannot have been absent from Australia for more than twelve months in total over the past four years.
This includes no more than 90 days in total in the 12 months immediately preceding the date of your application. You must also be present in Australia when your application decision is made.
There are many types or subclasses of Australian visas. These include temporary visas, special category visas, skilled independent visas (for New Zealand citizens and invited workers), and other visas that allow you to become a permanent resident. Learn more about Australian visa options.
Be of Good Character
If you are 18 years of age or older, you must demonstrate that you are of good character.
To determine this, the Australian government may check that you:
Do not have any recorded criminal convictions
Do not have any court obligations in the country or overseas
Have not provided any false or misleading information in relation to your visa or citizenship application
Maintain a Close Link to Australia
You must intend to live in Australia or maintain a continuous link with Australia while overseas. Individuals can show this by providing proof of one or more of the following:
You own a property in Australia
You keep bank accounts or other valuables in the country
Australia is your source of income or employment
Your spouse or children are Australian citizens or permanent residents
Schooling arrangements, participation in Australian community clubs or charities, and rarely leaving the country to travel overseas can also be used as proof that you intend to maintain a close and continuous link to Australia.
Have Basic Knowledge of the English Language
You don’t have to speak fluent English to get Australian citizenship, but you must show that you have basic knowledge of the English language. The citizenship interview and exam will test how much of the language you know.
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Once you’ve established that you meet the citizenship requirements for eligibility and residency, you can apply for citizenship.
The first step is to complete the proper application form. Immigrants aged 18 to 59 should use Form 1300t. Immigrants aged 60 or older should submit Form 1290.
Gather all the documentation required for submission with your application. The form you fill out will tell you exactly what documents you need.
This includes acceptable methods of identification and original police certificates to prove that you have not had any serious criminal convictions.
Visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs Website to access the forms and begin the application process. You can complete the application either on paper or online, and in either case, you will pay an application fee.
Complete the Citizenship Test or Interview
Once your application has been received, you’ll be asked to make an appointment for a citizenship test or interview.
The testing center will ask you to provide proof of your identity. Then, you’ll answer a few questions that will determine whether you have to take the actual test or if you’ve qualified for an interview instead.
Most applicants aged 18 to 59 will have to sit the Australian citizenship test. Children and adults over 60 may be “tested” through an interview rather than the traditional exam.
To pass the citizenship exam, you must score 75% or higher. The questions test your knowledge of the English language, your knowledge of Australian values and Australian laws, and what it means to be an Australian citizen.
Study the Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond resource booklet to prepare for the exam. Once you’ve completed the application, interview, and test, you’ll need to wait to receive your decision.
Processing Time and What to Expect
The processing time can vary depending on your individual circumstances, the completeness of your application, and how quickly the authorities verify your supporting documents.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Australian Citizen?
Processing times for citizenship applications vary. From the time of application to the time you receive a decision, it can take 4 to 16 months. 75% of all applicants receive a decision within seven months.
Once Australia has approved your citizenship application, the final step is to attend a citizenship ceremony. You will be asked to take the Australian citizenship pledge to formalize your immigration status.
Local government councils organize the citizenship ceremonies. Four weeks before your ceremony, you will receive a letter inviting you to attend.
Benefits of Becoming an Australian Citizen
While it’s possible to live in Australia as a permanent resident for an indefinite period of time, there are plenty of benefits to becoming an Australian citizen.
Depending on your home country, you may be able to hold dual citizenship in Australia and your home country at the same time. Below is a closer look at the benefits of becoming an Australian citizen.
Having an Australian Passport
As an Australian citizen, you can get an Australian passport, which simplifies travel around the world. With this passport, you can enjoy visa-free travel to 145 different countries and territories.
You’re also allowed to re-enter the country any time you want and stay outside of the country for as long as you want.
Be aware that Medicare in Australia does not cover all types of medical treatment, such as vision and dental care.
It also does not allow you to choose your own doctors or specialists. Another downside of Australia’s public healthcare system is long wait times for medical care.
All citizens can benefit from private health insurance in Australia. This allows you to choose your own doctors, avoid long wait times, and receive coverage for dental, vision, and other medical services that are not covered by Medicare.
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As an Australian citizen, you can vote in Australian government elections. Permanent residents of Australia who are not citizens do not have the right to vote, except for British subjects who enrolled to vote before 1984.
Ready to Become an Australian Citizen?
If you’re a permanent resident or expat who has lived in the Commonwealth of Australia for at least four years without any significant absences, you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
Just keep in mind that you’ll still need to meet residency requirements and be confirmed as a person of good character.
The approval process can take several months, but once granted, you’ll enjoy all the rights and benefits of being an Australian citizen – just like native-born Aussies.
International Citizens Insurance has an experienced team of authors, including expatriates and world travelers, providing curated guidance for our clients.
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