Australia
ISO2: AU
Australian citizenship by conferral (naturalisation through residence): general residence requirement is 4 years lawful residence including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, with absence limits; good character checks; online lodgement via ImmiAccount (Form 1300t and Home Affairs guidance) and supporting documents; dual citizenship generally allowed (as of 2026).
Passport
Citizenship by residence
- Minimum years of residence
- 4.0
- Requires permanent residence
- Yes
- Last updated
- Feb. 27, 2026
- Notes
- Standard adult pathway (citizenship by conferral / general eligibility): applicant must have lived in Australia lawfully for 4 years immediately before applying, which must include the last 12 months as a permanent resident. Absences must not exceed 12 months total in the 4-year period, including no more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before applying. Applicants must meet good character requirements; Home Affairs may require police/penal clearance evidence depending on circumstances and travel/residence history. Lodgement is generally preferred online via ImmiAccount; applicants may be required to attend a citizenship test/appointment and later a citizenship ceremony.
- Dual citizenship
-
Dual citizenship: Allowed
Renunciation required: NoSpecial cases: Australia allows dual citizenship; however, whether the person can keep another nationality depends on the other country’s laws, and practical travel/document rules apply for dual nationals.
- Notes for dual citizenship
- Dual/multiple citizenship is generally allowed by Australia and renunciation is not required by Australia for naturalisation; applicants should confirm the other country’s rules and travel documentation obligations.
Qualifying residence permits
New Zealand citizen – Special Category visa (SCV)
Form 1300t notes special eligibility conditions for certain New Zealand citizens holding an SCV; residence/PR-start-date rules may differ for this cohort.
Counts
Permanent resident (any permanent visa holder)
General residence requirement includes the last 12 months as a permanent resident and typically requires being a permanent resident when applying for citizenship by conferral.
Counts
Temporary visa holder (any valid Australian visa)
Time on a valid Australian visa can count toward the 4-year lawful residence period, but the last 12 months must be as a permanent resident.
Counts
Unlawful / expired status
Unlawful presence does not meet the standard “lawful residence” concept; some limited discretions may apply in narrow administrative-error scenarios, but unlawful status is not a qualifying permit type.
Doesn’t count
Required documents
| Document | Mandatory | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Application for Australian citizenship (conferral) – Form 1300t / online lodgement
Standard adult conferral pathway application (general eligibility). Home Affairs prefers online lodgement via ImmiAccount; Form 1300t covers steps and requirements.
|
Mandatory | Lodge the conferral application, preferably online via ImmiAccount; paper Form 1300t is also used in some cases. |
|
Evidence of birth (birth certificate or approved alternatives)
Home Affairs guidance requests a birth certificate; if unavailable, approved alternative evidence may be provided with an explanation.
|
Mandatory | Provide evidence of birth; if a birth certificate cannot be provided, supply approved alternatives and an explanation per Home Affairs guidance. |
|
Evidence of current residential address
Proof of current residential address used for identity/residence evidence.
|
Mandatory | Provide evidence of current residential address as part of identity evidence. |
|
Evidence of permanent residence / visa status
Evidence of permanent resident status and visa history used to support eligibility and residence calculation.
|
Mandatory | Supports the “last 12 months as a permanent resident” requirement and visa history. |
|
Photograph (digital photo for ImmiAccount or paper photo specs)
Photograph requirements for citizenship applications (digital upload for online applications; paper specs for paper lodgement).
|
Mandatory | Upload a compliant digital photo for online applications (or provide paper photos if lodging by paper). |
|
Photo identity with signature
A photo identity document with signature (examples include Australian driver licence, passport pages, etc.) per Home Affairs guidance.
|
Mandatory | Provide a photo identity document with signature (examples listed by Home Affairs). |
|
Supporting evidence for residence requirement (travel history, absences)
Evidence used to support the residence requirement and absence limits; Home Affairs provides a residence calculator tool.
|
Mandatory | Supports lawful residence over 4 years and absence limits (12 months total; max 90 days in last 12 months). |
|
Evidence of name change (if applicable)
If the applicant’s name differs across documents, provide name-change evidence (e.g., marriage certificate, deed poll, etc.).
|
Optional | Provide if name differs across documents. |
|
Overseas penal clearance certificate (if required)
Penal clearance / police check for time spent outside Australia in specified circumstances; requirements depend on travel/residence history.
|
Optional | Required in some cases depending on time spent outside Australia and other conditions; Home Affairs may request it. |
Submission offices
Department of Home Affairs – Australian citizenship (ImmiAccount online lodgement)
Online
Home Affairs’ preferred lodgement method is online. Applicants submit the citizenship application and upload documents via ImmiAccount.
Department of Home Affairs – Citizenship test/appointment (as scheduled)
NATIONAL
After lodgement, applicants may be scheduled for a citizenship test/appointment as part of the process (location depends on the appointment).
Official sources
DFAT Smartraveller – Dual nationals
Government
Australian Government travel guidance: dual nationality depends on Australian law and the other country’s law; practical implications for travel/consular help.
en
Home Affairs – Character requirements for Australian citizenship
Government
Official guidance on “good character” and police checking as part of citizenship assessment.
en
Home Affairs – Citizenship by conferral: Additional guidance (client guidance PDF)
Government
Official guidance on common missing items and supporting documents (identity evidence, photos, penal clearance).
en
Home Affairs – Form 1300t: Application for Australian citizenship (General eligibility)
Government
Official form describing eligibility, general residence requirement (4 years lawful residence incl. last 12 months PR), absence limits, process steps, and special NZ citizen notes.
en
Home Affairs – Residence Calculator (citizenship)
Government
Tool to help estimate the residence requirement days and absences for citizenship by conferral.
en
Home Affairs – Travelling as a dual citizen
Government
Official guidance on travel documentation for dual citizens; Australia allows dual citizenship (travel rules apply).
en
Latest ranking snapshot
As of Feb. 27, 2026
- Travel freedom182.00
- Residency rights1.00
- Quality of life189.60
- Economic freedom79.30
- Tax friendliness20.00
Composite ranking based on visa-free access, economic freedom (Heritage Index 2025), residency rights, quality of life index, taxation score, and net disposable income (USD). Source: passport_composite_ranking_top150.csv.