How to Get Australian Citizenship by Conferral?

Are you thinking about becoming an Australian citizen? If so, this blog is for you.

Getting Australian citizenship by conferral is a popular pathway for permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens.

But what exactly does it involve?
What are the requirements?
And how do you even start the application process?

These questions are worth answering. Learn everything you need to know about becoming an Australian citizen by consultation in this blog.

Table of Contents

Things to Note before Applying for Citizenship

If you’re a New Zealand citizen with a Special Category Visa (SCV), you’re considered a permanent resident for citizenship purposes.

This guide is mainly for people under 60. If you’re older, you may have to follow specific requirements.

If you’re applying as a parent, you can include your kids (15 or younger) in your application at no extra cost. But they need to be permanent residents.

If a parent isn’t applying, a child 15 or younger can apply on their own, but they will have to pay a fee.

Parents can’t include teenagers (16-17) in their application. They have to apply individually.

There might be changes to when permanent residency starts for certain New Zealand citizens holding an SCV or a 190 visa. Double-check if this affects you.

If you’re under 17, over 60, or have a disability, you can choose other ways to become an Australian citizen.

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for Citizenship by Conferral

To apply for citizenship by conferral, you must meet certain eligibility criteria:

1. Residency Status

You need to be a permanent resident of Australia or hold a Special Category Visa (SCV) as a New Zealand citizen.

2. Residence requirements

To apply for Australian citizenship by conferral, you must meet these residence requirements:

You must have lived in Australia on a valid visa for at least 4 years before applying.
Ensure you have held a permanent resident visa or an eligible New Zealand Special Category Visa for the past 12 months.
You should not have been outside Australia for more than one year in total over the past four years.
In the last year, your absences should not exceed 90 days.
Children under 16 do not need to meet these residence requirements but must be permanent residents.
If you hold an SCV and leave Australia, you remain considered a permanent resident if you held it before departing.

Note: You can use tools like the Residence Calculator to help determine if you meet these criteria based on your travel history and visa status

3. Character requirements

You must be of good character. To assess your character, authorities consider whether you respect and follow Australian laws. Moreover, they also look at whether you’re committed to upholding the promises made during the citizenship pledge.

Here are some factors that authorities consider during character assessment:

Any past criminal convictions.
Outstanding court obligations in Australia or overseas.
Associations with individuals who might raise concerns.
Reported incidents of domestic violence.
Your honesty in all dealings, including visa and citizenship applications.

Note: Providing false information can negatively impact your application.

4. Knowledge of Australian community

You must demonstrate a good understanding of the Australian community. Most applicants will take the citizenship test to demonstrate they:

Basic understanding of the English language.
Understand what becoming an Australian citizen involves.
Know about Australia’s culture, history, and values.
Are aware of your rights and duties as a citizen.

To pass the test, you must score at least 75% overall and correctly answer all five questions about Australian values like freedom and respect.

5. Maintaining a close link to Australia

You must show a long-term commitment to the country. This means you must either intend to live in Australia or maintain strong ties with it if you’re overseas.

The authorities will assess your connection to Australia on the basis of the following factors:

Whether you rent or own property in Australia,
The location of valuable items like cars and bank accounts.
Your income source, employment status, and any financial commitments in Australia.
Relationships with Australian citizens or permanent residents who plan to stay in the country.
How often do you travel into and out of Australia, along with reasons for these trips?
Participation in local groups, clubs, or charities that contribute to Australian society.

Note: Having family members who are Australian citizens can also strengthen your connection. However, simply having relatives isn’t enough; other ties like property ownership or community involvement are also important.

Application Process for Australian Citizenship by Conferral

Follow these steps to apply for Australian citizenship by conferral.

Step 1: Prepare your documents

Gather all necessary documents to support your application. This includes:

Original police certificates.
Scans of original documents if applying online.
Certified copies for paper applications.
Ensure each document is submitted only once.
Provide all the information required to assess your application.

Step 2: Apply for citizenship

You can apply for citizenship either via the ImmiAccount website or on paper. Here is the step-by-step process for both:

1. Paper applications

Use paper application mode if:

You don’t have a current or expired passport or other travel documents like an IMMICard.
You haven’t entered or left Australia since July 1990.
You qualify for an exemption from paying the application fee.

For paper applications, use specific forms depending on your situation:

Form 1300t for general eligibility (ages 18-59).
Form 1290 for other situations like children, seniors, or those with impairments.

First pay your application fee through ImmiAccount before sending in your paper application.

2. Online applications via ImmiAccount

Follow these steps to apply for citizenship by conferral in Australia:

Login to your ImmiAccount and click “New Application.”
From the “New Application,” click the “citizenship icon.”There are different forms for citizenship by conferral and citizenship by descent applications.
Select Australian citizenship by conferral and to read the terms and conditions of the application, click on the “View Terms and Conditions link”.
Click the “I have read and agree to the terms and conditions checkbox.”
Click Next and answer the relevant questions specific to each form.
Continue answering questions on each subsequent page. Next, the “proof of identity” page will be displayed.
Complete the document details and then click “Next.”. After that, the Declarations page will appear.
Click on the “Agree button,” which will lead you to the “Review page.” Upload the required documents and click “Next.”
The submission page will be displayed. Click on “Submit Now” and pay the fee.
After submitting the form, click “Go to my account,” and the submission page will display the application received.

Step 3: Citizenship test appointment

Most applicants aged between 18 and 59 will receive an appointment to take the citizenship test. Others may be asked for an interview.

The Department of Home Affairs will notify you about the appointment. The time from applying to receiving an appointment can vary significantly; it often takes several months.

Step 4: Wait for the visa outcome

Provide any additional requested documents and update the department on changes like name changes or address updates. Check your application status via ImmiAccount if you applied online. The department may ask for original copies of documents or further information. So stay updated.

Step 5: Outcome notification

The Department of Home Affairs informs you in writing about the decision. If your application is approved,

You’ll receive a letter inviting you to a citizenship ceremony.
If the department asks you to attend the ceremony, it’s usually scheduled after approval and involves a pledge of commitment to become an Australian citizen.
If not required to attend a ceremony, the department will send your citizenship certificate by registered post after approval.

If your application is refused:

The department will send you a letter explaining reasons and how to request a review. It includes details on where and when to lodge this request, along with time limits.

Step 6: Attend a citizenship ceremony (If required)

Most applicants must attend a ceremony within weeks after receiving their invitation letter. This is where you make the pledge of commitment and receive your citizenship certificate officially during this event.

Wait times for ceremonies can vary; check updates regularly. Check that details on your certificate are correct upon receipt. If there are errors, contact the Department of Home Affairs as soon as possible.

Situations Leading to Disapproval

There are certain situations where your Australian citizenship application cannot be approved. Here are some of these circumstances:

Identity verification

If your identity cannot be confirmed from birth, your application will not proceed.

Criminal offence

Pending legal proceedings against you in Australia.
Release from prison less than two years ago after serving a sentence of 12 months or more (or ten years if you’re a repeat offender).
Being subject to court conditions like parole or bail.
Currently being held in prison or a psychiatric institution by court order.

Security risks

If you pose a threat to Australia’s security, your application will be denied.

Citizenship status

You cannot apply if you lost Australian citizenship within the past year.

Location at time of approval

Certain applicants, including those with disabilities or aged 60 plus , must be in Australia at the time of approval unless special residence requirements apply.

What is the Citizenship Application Fees (AUD)?

Fees are subject to change annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Payments should be made electronically through ImmiAccount.

The following table shows the fee based on the application form you choose.

Application Form	Fee from 1 July 2024 (AUD)	Concession Fee*	Child Under 16 / Fee Exemption
Form 1300t: General Eligibility	$560	$80	Nil
Form 1290: Other Situations	$345	$40	Nil
Form 118: By Descent	Single/First Sibling: $360, Subsequent Siblings: $150
Form 1272: Adopted Children	Single/First Sibling: $360, Subsequent Siblings: $150
Form 128: Renunciation of Citizenship	– -$300 –
Form 132: Resumption of Citizenship	– -$240 Nil
Form 119: Evidence of Citizenship	– -$275 No fee for natural disaster replacements

Important Notes:

Concession fees apply to holders of Pensioner Concession Cards and their dependents under age.
Fee exemptions include British/Maltese former child migrants, veterans with at least 90 days service, and statelessness provision applicants.
Children under age can be included in a parent’s application without additional cost if they are permanent residents.

Ending Notes

Undoubtedly, becoming an Australian citizen is a big achievement. This blog has covered the essential points you need to know. By now, you have learned the requirements, application process, and citizenship fee.

What’s next?

Remember to gather your documents, fill out the application carefully, and be prepared for the citizenship test. Keep in mind the situations that can affect your application, and don’t forget about the fees.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is citizenship by conferral in Australia?

Citizenship by conferral is a way for permanent residents to become Australian citizens. You must meet the requirements before applying for the citizenship.

What is the easiest way to get Australian citizenship?

There’s no “easy” way; you must meet all the eligibility criteria and follow the application process carefully. Being a permanent resident and meeting residency requirements are key steps in achieving citizenship.

What does conferral mean in Australia?

Conferral means that citizenship is granted after you apply and meet specific conditions as a non-Australian citizen. It’s like being officially welcomed as an Australian citizen.

Can you automatically become an Australian citizen?

No, you cannot automatically become an Australian citizen unless born there or under specific circumstances (like having parents who were citizens at your birth). Generally, you need to apply through pathways like conferral.

Is Australia hard to get citizenship?

Getting Australian citizenship isn’t hard, but it requires meeting certain criteria. The requirements are:

You need to be a permanent resident.
You must live in Australia for four years with limited absences.
You must pass a citizenship test.
You must demonstrate good character.

If you meet these requirements and follow the application process correctly, becoming an Australian citizen can be achievable. However, it might take time and require careful preparation

Samavia Shahid

I, Samavia Shahid, am a researcher and content writer at The Migration. I create easy-to-understand and informative content for people who want to move to Australia. My goal is to make the migration process simpler and less stressful for everyone.