Citizenship by conferral means becoming an Australian citizen by applying for citizenship and meeting the requirements set out in the Australian Citizenship Act 2007. The word “confer” means to give or grant, so the citizenship by conferral meaning is simple: the Australian Government grants citizenship to an eligible person who has applied for it. It is the most common pathway for permanent residents.
Being a permanent resident does not make you a citizen automatically. You must apply, meet the legal requirements and, in most cases, make the citizenship pledge at a ceremony. This guide explains what is citizenship by conferral, who can apply, the residence rule, the test, the fees and each step.
In This Guide
- 1. What Is Citizenship by Conferral?
- 2. Citizenship by Conferral Meaning Explained
- 3. Who Can Apply for Citizenship by Conferral?
- 4. Australian Citizenship by Conferral Requirements
- 5. Residence Requirement for Citizenship by Conferral
- 6. Citizenship by Conferral Application Process
- 7. Citizenship Test and Interview
- 8. Citizenship by Conferral Fees
- 9. Citizenship by Conferral vs Citizenship by Descent
- 10. Citizenship by Conferral vs Other Citizenship Pathways
- 11. How Long Does Citizenship by Conferral Take?
- 12. What Happens After Citizenship Is Approved?
- 13. Frequently Asked Questions
- 14. When Should You Get Professional Help?
- 15. Conclusion
1. What Is Citizenship by Conferral?
Citizenship by conferral is the process where an eligible person applies to become an Australian citizen and, if the Department of Home Affairs approves the application, is granted citizenship. Home Affairs describes it as a common way to become an Australian citizen. You need to be a permanent resident and meet certain criteria before you can apply.
Most people who use this pathway were born overseas and moved to Australia on a skilled, family, partner or humanitarian visa. Eligible New Zealand citizens can also use it, subject to the rules.
Citizenship by conferral is one pathway to Australian citizenship. It is not the pathway for everyone. People born in Australia, or born overseas to an Australian citizen parent, may become citizens through a different route (see sections 9 and 10).
2. Citizenship by Conferral Meaning Explained
What does “conferral” mean?
“Conferral” comes from the verb “confer”, which means to give or grant something. In this case, what is given is citizenship. So citizenship by conferral means citizenship that is granted to you after you apply, rather than citizenship you already hold from birth or from a parent.
What citizenship by conferral means in Australia
In Australia, it means you:
- were not born an Australian citizen
- hold (or are treated as holding) permanent resident status
- lodge a citizenship application with Home Affairs
- meet the residence, character, knowledge and other requirements
- become a citizen after approval and, generally, after making the pledge at a ceremony
Is permanent residence the same as citizenship?
No. A permanent resident can live and work in Australia without a time limit, but is not a citizen. Only citizens can hold an Australian passport and enrol to vote, among other rights. Permanent residence is the starting point for conferral, not the end result.
Once granted, a person who becomes a citizen by conferral has the same citizenship status as any other Australian citizen.
3. Who Can Apply for Citizenship by Conferral?
Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances, so not every permanent resident qualifies straight away. In general, this pathway suits:
- Permanent visa holders who have lived in Australia long enough and meet the other rules.
- Eligible New Zealand citizens who meet the rules that apply to them. Check the official Home Affairs guidance for your situation.
- Adults aged 18 and over on a general eligibility application. Children under 16 are usually included on a responsible parent’s application. People aged 16 or 17 generally lodge their own application.
You are unlikely to qualify yet if you are still on a temporary visa, you have not held permanent residence for the required time, or you have spent too long outside Australia. Some applicants have special rules or exemptions, so check the official page for your case.
4. Australian Citizenship by Conferral Requirements
The main requirements for Australian citizenship by conferral are:
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| Permanent resident status | You must hold a permanent visa, or be an eligible New Zealand citizen. |
| Residence requirement | You must have lived in Australia lawfully for the required time, with limits on time spent overseas (see section 5). |
| Good character | Applicants aged 18 and over must be of good character. Home Affairs looks at things such as criminal history. |
| Basic English and knowledge of Australia | You need a basic knowledge of English and of Australia and citizenship. Most adults show this by passing the citizenship test. |
| Intention to live in Australia | You must intend to live in Australia, or keep a close and continuing link with it, if you become a citizen. |
| Identity | You must prove who you are with genuine identity documents. |
Meeting one requirement is not enough. You must meet all the requirements that apply to you.
5. Residence Requirement for Citizenship by Conferral
The residence requirement stops many applications, so check it carefully. Under the general residence requirement, you must have:
- lived in Australia lawfully for the four years immediately before you apply
- held permanent resident status for at least the last 12 months of that period
- been absent from Australia for no more than 12 months in total during the four years
- been absent for no more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before you apply
Time as a permanent resident vs time before
Time in Australia on a valid temporary visa before you became a permanent resident generally counts towards the four years. You do not need to have been a permanent resident for the whole four years. However, the final 12 months must be as a permanent resident, so you cannot shorten that part.
How overseas travel affects eligibility
Every trip outside Australia counts towards your absence totals. A few long trips, or many short ones, can push you over the 12-month or 90-day limit. If you go over, you may have to wait until you meet the rule again before you apply. You also generally cannot have spent time in Australia as an unlawful non-citizen during the four years.
Special rules
Special residence requirements and exemptions exist for some people, such as certain applicants with specific work or service circumstances. These are decided case by case. Check the official Home Affairs page or get advice before assuming an exemption applies to you.
Tip: write down your travel dates and compare them with the official rules before you lodge.
6. Citizenship by Conferral Application Process
The steps can differ slightly by case, but the general process is:
- Check your eligibility. Confirm your permanent residence date, your residence period and your travel history.
- Gather the required documents. These usually include identity documents and evidence of your residence in Australia. The department may ask for more.
- Prepare the citizenship application. Choose the right form for your age and situation, and answer every question accurately.
- Pay the applicable application fee. The amount depends on the form and any concession (see section 8).
- Lodge the application. Most people apply online through ImmiAccount.
- Attend an interview or the citizenship test if required. Home Affairs will tell you if you need to attend.
- Wait for the Department’s decision. Respond quickly if it asks for more information.
- Attend a citizenship ceremony if required. You will be invited after approval.
- Make the Australian Citizenship Pledge. This is the final step for most applicants.
Processing time is not guaranteed at any step.
7. Citizenship Test and Interview
Who needs to take the test?
Most applicants for citizenship by conferral aged 18 to 59 need to sit and pass the citizenship test. Exemptions exist, for example for people aged 60 or over and some people with a permanent physical or mental incapacity. Check the official Home Affairs page for the current exemptions.
What is the purpose of the test?
The test checks that you have an adequate knowledge of Australia, its democratic system, its beliefs and values, and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.
What to expect
According to Home Affairs’ official study book, the test is:
- computer-based and multiple choice
- in English
- made up of 20 questions, including five on Australian values
To pass, you must answer all five values questions correctly and score at least 75 per cent overall. Format details can change, so check the current details on the Home Affairs citizenship test and interview page.
How to prepare
Study the free official resource, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. Home Affairs says all the information you need is in that book, and you do not need to buy other study packages.
Separately, an officer may ask you to attend an interview. This is usually to check your identity, your eligibility or other details.
8. Citizenship by Conferral Fees
These are the government application fees from the Home Affairs fee sheet (Form 1298i, July 2026). They are indexed each 1 July, so confirm the amount on the day you lodge.
| Application type | Fee (from 1 July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Citizenship by conferral, general eligibility (Form 1300t) | $595 |
| General eligibility, concession fee (valid Pensioner Concession Card) | $85 |
| Citizenship by conferral, other situations (Form 1290) | $365 |
| Other situations, concession fee | $40 |
| Child aged 15 or under on a responsible parent’s application | No fee |
Form 1290 is used by applicants aged 60 or over, applicants aged 16 or 17, and some other situations. Only a valid Pensioner Concession Card qualifies for the concession fee. Health Care Cards do not.
Government fees vs other costs
- Government application fee: the amounts above, paid to Home Affairs.
- Optional professional fees: if you use a migration agent, their fees are separate and are not government charges.
- Other possible costs: police certificates from other countries, certified copies of documents, translations and passport photos.
For a full breakdown, read our guide to Australian citizenship application fees.
9. Citizenship by Conferral vs Citizenship by Descent
Many people confuse these two pathways. The main difference is the applicant’s link to Australia. Conferral is for people who qualify through their residence. Descent is for people who qualify through an Australian citizen parent.
| Feature | Citizenship by Conferral | Citizenship by Descent |
|---|---|---|
| Who it generally applies to | Permanent residents (and eligible New Zealand citizens) who meet the residence rules | People born outside Australia where one or both parents was an Australian citizen at the time of their birth |
| How citizenship is obtained | You apply and citizenship is granted if you meet the requirements | You apply and provide evidence of the parent’s citizenship and your relationship to them |
| Typical applicant circumstances | A skilled, family, partner or humanitarian visa holder who has lived in Australia for years | A person born overseas to a parent who was an Australian citizen |
| Application pathway | Form 1300t or Form 1290 | Form 118 |
| Citizenship test | Required for most applicants aged 18 to 59 | The conferral citizenship test does not apply. Check the official page for any requirements |
| Main consideration | Residence, good character and knowledge | Proof of the parent’s citizenship and the family link |
Citizenship by descent is not automatic for every child of an Australian citizen. The parent must have been an Australian citizen at the time of your birth, and you must still apply with supporting evidence. See the official Home Affairs page on citizenship by descent for the full rules. The government fee for descent is $380 (with a lower fee for extra siblings applying together).
10. Citizenship by Conferral vs Other Citizenship Pathways
Here is where conferral fits in the wider system:
- By conferral: you apply as a permanent resident (or eligible New Zealand citizen) and meet the residence and other rules.
- By descent: for people born overseas to an Australian citizen parent.
- By adoption: for some children adopted under Australia’s international adoption arrangements.
- By resumption: for former Australian citizens who want to get their citizenship back.
- By birth: for people born in Australia, subject to their parents’ status at the time of birth or other legal rules.
If you are unsure which pathway applies to you, check with Home Affairs or a registered professional before paying any fee.
11. How Long Does Citizenship by Conferral Take?
There is no guaranteed processing time, but Home Affairs publishes how long conferral applications are currently taking. It updates the information every month. The latest figures show that 90% of citizenship by conferral applications are processed within 5 months, and 90% of approved applicants have the opportunity to attend a ceremony within 6 months of approval.
Home Affairs also explains how it works through applications:
- It generally works on applications in the order it receives them, but this does not mean applications are finalised in that order.
- It assesses each application case by case, so your time can be different from the timeframe shown.
- Completing your application online where possible, and giving all the documents listed for your application type, helps the department finalise it more quickly.
Current processing times for citizenship by conferral
Figures as at September 2026, from the Department of Home Affairs. They update monthly and are a guide only.
| Period counted | 25% of applications processed in | 50% of applications processed in | 75% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application to decision | 40 days | 47 days | 85 days | 5 months |
| Approval to ceremony | 75 days | 4 months | 5 months | 6 months |
| Application to ceremony | 6 months | 7 months | 10 months | 12 months |
Source: Home Affairs citizenship processing times, for citizenship by conferral (general eligibility and other situations).
How to read the table
- Application to decision is the time from lodging until your application is approved or refused.
- Approval to ceremony is the time from approval until you can attend a ceremony and make the pledge.
- Application to ceremony is the whole process, from lodging until you become a citizen.
Each column is a percentile. For example, 50% of applications were processed in 47 days or less, and 90% were processed in 5 months or less. This means some applications take longer than the figures shown. The figures are a guide, not a promise.
Approval is also not the last step. Most applicants become citizens at the ceremony, so look at the application-to-ceremony figure for the full picture. Ceremony wait times also depend on where you live, and Home Affairs has a separate ceremony wait times page for this.
Your own timeline can depend on:
- whether your application is complete
- your individual circumstances
- the documents you must provide
- character and identity checks
- whether you need a test or interview
- the Department’s processing volumes
- how many days pass before a ceremony is available
Check the latest official figures before you plan:
You can also read our guide to Australian citizenship application processing times.
12. What Happens After Citizenship Is Approved?
Approval is not the finish line. For most applicants, you become an Australian citizen when you make the pledge at a citizenship ceremony, not on the day your application is approved.
- Approval. Home Affairs tells you your application has been approved.
- Ceremony invitation. You are invited to a citizenship ceremony, usually run by your local council.
- The pledge. You make the Australian Citizenship Pledge at the ceremony.
- Becoming a citizen. After the pledge, you are an Australian citizen.
- Citizenship certificate. You receive a certificate as evidence. If you lose it later, you can apply for evidence of Australian citizenship (Form 119, $290).
After that, you can apply for an Australian passport and enrol to vote. Keep your certificate somewhere safe.
13. Frequently Asked Questions
What does citizenship by conferral mean?
It means being granted Australian citizenship after applying and meeting the requirements. “Conferral” means granting, so the government confers citizenship on an eligible applicant.
What is citizenship by conferral in Australia?
It is the most common pathway for permanent residents to become citizens. It involves an application, meeting residence and character rules, sitting the test if required and, usually, making the pledge at a ceremony.
Who can apply for citizenship by conferral?
Permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens who meet the residence requirement, the character requirement and the other rules. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances.
Is citizenship by conferral the same as permanent residency?
No. Permanent residency lets you live in Australia indefinitely. Citizenship by conferral is the next step, which grants you citizenship if you qualify.
How long do you need to live in Australia before applying for citizenship by conferral?
Generally, four years of lawful residence immediately before applying, including at least the last 12 months as a permanent resident. Absence limits also apply.
Do permanent residents automatically become Australian citizens?
No. You must apply, meet the requirements and be approved. Permanent residence does not turn into citizenship on its own.
Do I need to take a citizenship test?
Most applicants aged 18 to 59 do. Some people are exempt, such as those aged 60 or over. Check the official Home Affairs page for the current rules.
How much does citizenship by conferral cost?
The standard general eligibility fee is $595 from 1 July 2026, and there is an $85 concession fee for Pensioner Concession Card holders. Other situations use Form 1290 at $365. Children aged 15 or under on a parent’s application pay no fee.
What is the difference between citizenship by conferral and citizenship by descent?
Conferral is based on your residence as a permanent resident. Descent is based on having an Australian citizen parent and applies to people born outside Australia.
How long does citizenship by conferral take?
It varies and is not guaranteed. Home Affairs’ latest figures (September 2026) show 90% of conferral applications processed to a decision within 5 months, and 90% of approved applicants having the opportunity to attend a ceremony within 6 months of approval. From application to ceremony, 50% finish within 7 months and 90% within 12 months. The figures update monthly, so check the current official figures. Your own case is assessed individually.
What happens after citizenship by conferral is approved?
You are invited to a citizenship ceremony, where you make the pledge. You become a citizen after the pledge and receive a citizenship certificate.
Can a migration agent help with a citizenship by conferral application?
Yes. A registered migration agent can check your residence and travel history, help you choose the right form and review your documents. You can also apply yourself. Agent fees are separate from the government fee.
14. When Should You Get Professional Help?
Many people apply on their own. Consider advice if:
- you are close to the 12-month or 90-day absence limits
- you have a criminal record or other character concerns
- you have had time as an unlawful non-citizen
- you are unsure whether a special rule or exemption applies
- you have a gap in your documents or identity evidence
- you are unsure whether conferral, descent or another pathway suits you
If you are unsure whether you meet the citizenship by conferral requirements, a registered migration agent can help you understand the eligibility criteria, residence requirements and application process based on your circumstances. Asia Pacific Group’s MARA-registered team can review your case before you lodge. Explore our Australian citizenship application support, or speak with a migration agent Australia professional about your options. We cannot promise an outcome, but we can help you understand your position.
15. Conclusion
The citizenship by conferral meaning is straightforward. It is the pathway where the Australian Government grants citizenship to an eligible person who applies, most often a permanent resident. Citizenship by conferral means you must meet the rules first: about four years of lawful residence including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, within the absence limits, plus good character, basic English and knowledge, and an intention to live in Australia.
The process is to check eligibility, prepare your documents, pay the fee, lodge online, attend a test or interview if required, wait for a decision and make the pledge at a ceremony. Fees, rules and processing information change, so always check the latest Home Affairs information.
If your situation is complex, speak with a registered migration agent Australia before you apply. Asia Pacific Group can look at your travel history, residence period and documents and explain your options in plain English.
Important: This article provides general information only. Australian citizenship requirements, application fees and government policies can change. Always check the latest information on the official Department of Home Affairs website before applying. For advice about your individual circumstances, consider speaking with a registered migration agent or qualified legal professional.
