Citizenship by conferral: how permanent residents become citizens

What conferral means

Conferral means citizenship is given to you after you apply. The Australian Citizenship Act describes it this way. You would generally need to be a permanent resident and willing to make a pledge of commitment. You may also need to pass a citizenship test.

Conferral and descent are the two most common ways to apply for citizenship.

Three ways to be a citizen

• Conferral. For permanent residents. You apply, you may sit the test, and you make the pledge.
• Descent. For people born outside Australia to a parent who was an Australian citizen at the birth. You apply, but there is no ceremony. You become a citizen on the day of approval.
• Birth. You become a citizen automatically if you are born in Australia and a parent is a citizen or permanent resident at the birth. There is no application.

Who applies by conferral

You apply this way if you live in Australia as a permanent resident and want to become a citizen. A New Zealand citizen on a Special Category (subclass 444) visa counts as a permanent resident.

You must also meet the other rules. These cover residence, good character, English, knowledge of Australia and plans to live here. See the requirements for the numbers.

What happens next

The steps run like this.

1. You lodge form 1300t.
2. Most applicants aged 18 to 59 sit the citizenship test. See who has to sit it.
3. Home Affairs decides and tells you in writing.
4. You get an invitation to a ceremony.
5. You make the pledge and become a citizen.

Our application page goes through each step. The cost is on the citizenship cost page.

The ceremony is required

For conferral, you must make the pledge in person. You are not a citizen until you do. This applies if you were 16 or older when you applied, unless you have a permanent or enduring incapacity.

You do not need a ceremony if:

• you are under 16
• you applied by descent or adoption
• you are resuming citizenship
• you have a permanent or enduring incapacity

Home Affairs lists a few further cases, such as people born stateless in Australia.

Go to a ceremony within 12 months of your approval. If you miss that window, Home Affairs may cancel the approval. If you cannot attend, a letter tells you the next step.

See our page on the citizenship ceremony for the day and the two versions of the pledge.

The test

The test is for most applicants aged 18 to 59 on the day they apply. It has 20 multiple choice questions and takes 45 minutes. You need 15 right, and all 5 values questions must be right. Practise with our free 20-question mock.

Age and children

Children under 16 may be included on a parent's application. They become citizens when the parent does. Applicants aged 60 and over follow a different rule on the test.

Independent information

We are independent and not Home Affairs. For your own case, read the Home Affairs pages.