Born in Australia before 20 August 1986
Most people born in Australia before this date became citizens at birth, subject to diplomatic and limited exceptions.
Australian citizenship
Choose the Australian citizenship pathway that matches your status and history.
Check citizenship by birth or descent first, then review conferral, residence, character, testing, family and ceremony requirements.
Source standard: Department of Home AffairsContent reviewed: 26 August 2026Not legal advice
Citizenship may already exist through birth or a parent
Birth in Australia does not always confer citizenship, and a person born overseas may qualify by descent. Use evidence-of-citizenship rules before applying for conferral.
01
First check whether you are already an Australian citizen
Born in Australia from 20 August 1986
Citizenship at birth generally depends on a parent being an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or on living in Australia for the first ten years.
Born outside Australia
You may apply by descent if a parent was an Australian citizen when you were born. Extra connection rules can apply when that parent was also a citizen by descent.
Need proof
A person who is already a citizen may apply for evidence of Australian citizenship rather than a new grant.
02
Main Australian citizenship pathways
Conferral for permanent residents
For permanent residents and qualifying New Zealand Special Category visa holders who meet residence, character, knowledge and intention requirements.
Official route ↗Citizenship by descent
For a person born outside Australia when at least one parent was an Australian citizen at the time of birth.
Official route ↗Conferral under age 18
Children use age-specific rules. Applicants under 16 generally do not meet the general residence requirement, but must normally be permanent residents.
Official route ↗Adoption, resumption and special cases
Separate routes cover intercountry adoption, former citizens, people born in Papua before independence and other defined circumstances.
All routes ↗03
General conferral checklist
Be a permanent resident or qualifying New Zealand SCV holder when applying and when Home Affairs decides the application.
Meet the four-year valid-visa period, final 12-month permanent-status period and absence limits unless a special rule applies.
Applicants aged 18 or over must satisfy the good-character requirement and provide complete disclosures.
Most applicants aged 18–59 sit the English-only citizenship test after identity is confirmed.
Understand and commit to values based on freedom, respect and equality.
Intend to live in Australia or maintain a close and continuing association with Australia.
Most applicants should be in Australia when the application is decided, unless Home Affairs identifies an exception.
Most successful conferral applicants must make the Australian Citizenship Pledge at a ceremony before becoming citizens.
Use the live fee schedule.
Home Affairs: Current conferral fee link ↗Australian citizenship application fees are reviewed and can change, commonly from 1 July. CitizenReady does not freeze a fee that may become outdated.
04
General residence requirement
PeriodUsual standard immediately before applying
Four years
Live in Australia on a valid Australian visa for the four years immediately before the application date.
Final 12 months
Hold a permanent visa or qualifying Special Category visa throughout the final 12 months.
Total absences
Be outside Australia no more than 12 months in total during the four-year period.
Final-year absences
Of that total, be outside Australia no more than 90 days during the final 12 months.
Special residence
Defence service, certain Commonwealth service, prescribed work or activities, and some family circumstances can use different rules.
Visa and travel dates must be exact.
Official residence calculator ↗Use Home Affairs' residence calculator and account for every departure, arrival and visa-status change. New Zealand citizen commencement rules can alter the permanent-residence date.
05
Citizenship test, exemptions and assisted testing
Standard test
Twenty computer-based multiple-choice questions in English, with 45 minutes. Pass by scoring at least 15/20 overall and 5/5 on the Australian values questions.
Who normally sits it
Most conferral applicants aged 18–59 on the day Home Affairs receives the application. Identity is confirmed before testing.
Age-based test exemption
Applicants aged 17 or younger, or 60 or older, generally do not sit the standard test but may have an interview.
Permanent incapacity or sensory impairment
Defined permanent or enduring physical or mental incapacity, or substantial hearing, speech or sight impairment, can remove the test requirement when evidence satisfies Home Affairs.
Assisted Test
Eligible applicants may receive an Assisted Test with 90 minutes. Assistance does not change the knowledge and values standard.
Further attempts
A failed test does not affect the person's visa. Home Affairs can book another appointment at no extra test charge, but the application may be refused after three failed appointments.
06
Children, descent and adoption
By descent
The applicant must have been born outside Australia and have had an Australian citizen parent at birth. Applicants aged 18 or over must be of good character.
Parent also by descent
When the relevant parent was a citizen by descent or certain overseas adoption route, that parent generally needs two years of lawful presence in Australia before the application.
Applicants aged 16–17
Home Affairs may assess identity, basic English, knowledge of citizenship responsibilities and privileges, and whether approval is in the person's best interests.
Intercountry adoption
Citizenship depends on the adoption framework, country, order and parent's citizenship. Use the dedicated adoption pathway.
07
Good character, identity and application integrity
For applicants aged 18 and over, Home Affairs considers whether the person is likely to uphold and obey Australian laws and meet the commitments made through citizenship. Criminal history in Australia and overseas, court matters, prison history, associations, honesty and cooperation can be relevant.
Provide all requested police and identity evidence.
Home Affairs: Conferral eligibility ↗Do not assume an old, spent or overseas matter is irrelevant. Seek qualified Australian immigration advice when the history is complex.
08
Decision, ceremony, pledge and dual citizenship
Approval is not always the final step
Most conferral applicants become citizens only after attending a ceremony and making the pledge.
Ceremony invitation
Home Affairs and local councils arrange ceremonies. Wait times vary; follow the invitation for date, identity documents and attendance rules.
Dual citizenship
Australia generally permits dual citizenship, but the other country may restrict or cancel its nationality. Check both countries' laws.
Australian passport
After citizenship is complete, a person may separately apply for an Australian passport through the Australian Passport Office.
Private preliminary self-check
Find the route your answers point toward
This guided screen separates core gaps from facts that need checking. Answers stay in this browser tab and are not sent to CitizenReady.
Step 1 of 90%
Ready for the official next step?
Confirm the route and residence calculation with Home Affairs.
Use the current route page, residence calculator, forms and fee schedule before submitting.