How to Apply for Australian Citizenship: Steps, Fees, and Processing Times
Applying for Australian citizenship by conferral (naturalisation) is a process most permanent residents can handle themselves. There is no requirement to use a migration agent, and the application is submitted online through the Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount portal. That said, a mistake in your residency calculation or a gap in your documents can result in a refusal, and the application fee is non-refundable.
Here is what the process actually looks like, including the costs and realistic timelines for 2026.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility Before Applying
Before you spend $575 on an application, confirm you meet the residency requirement.
The core rule: you must have been lawfully present in Australia for four years immediately before you apply, with the final 12 months as a permanent resident. Your total absences across those four years must be under 365 days, and your absences in the final 12 months must be under 90 days.
Use the Department's official residency calculator (available through the ImmiAccount portal) to verify your dates. The calculator pulls your movement records from your passport and visa history. If you travel frequently or had periods on bridging visas, work through the calculation carefully.
Also confirm:
- You are 18 or older (minors are typically included in a parent's application)
- You have not had a citizenship application refused in the past two years (there is a waiting period after refusal)
- You are prepared to sit the citizenship test (if aged 18-59)
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
The application requires identity documents and evidence of your residency in Australia. At a minimum, you will need:
Identity documents:
- Original birth certificate
- Current passport(s)
- Evidence of permanent residence status — your Visa Grant Notice
Residency evidence:
- The DHA verifies your movement records electronically, but you may be asked to provide supporting evidence of residence in Australia (utility bills, rental agreements, bank statements, employment records) for periods where the electronic records are incomplete
Identity declaration (Form 1195):
- This must be completed and signed by an Australian citizen who has known you for at least 12 months and currently works in a designated professional role (e.g., medical practitioner, dentist, teacher, bank manager, magistrate, or police officer)
- The same person must also sign the back of your passport-sized photograph
Character documents:
- If you have lived outside Australia for 12 months or more cumulatively since turning 18 (and since becoming a PR), you must provide penal clearance certificates from any country where you spent 90 or more days
Children:
- If you are including children under 16 in your application, you will need their birth certificates and, if applicable, the other parent's written consent if that parent is not included in the application
Step 3: Lodge the Application Online
Citizenship by conferral applications are lodged using Form 1300t (Application for Australian Citizenship — General Eligibility) through ImmiAccount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
There is no paper-based application option for most applicants. Everything is submitted digitally, including scanned copies of supporting documents. Keep your original documents safe — you may need to produce them later.
The lodgement process involves:
- Creating or logging into your ImmiAccount
- Completing the online form with personal details, travel history, residence history, and character declarations
- Uploading scanned copies of your documents
- Paying the application fee
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Application Fee (2025-2026)
Adult (18 or older): AUD 575
Concession fee (eligible pensioners and low-income holders of a Health Care Card): AUD 80
Child aged 15 or younger included in a parent's application: Nil
Citizenship by descent (first sibling): AUD 370
These fees are non-refundable. If your application is refused — whether because of a residency miscalculation, character finding, or incomplete documents — you do not get the money back. This is a strong incentive to get the application right before submitting.
Fees are reviewed annually on 1 July. If you are close to submitting an application in June, it may be worth lodging before the July fee increase.
Processing Times
This is where many applicants underestimate the timeline.
As of early 2026, the Department of Home Affairs processes citizenship by conferral applications with these median timelines:
| Milestone | 75% of Applications | 90% of Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Lodgement to decision | 14 months | 17 months |
| Decision to ceremony | 3-6 months | up to 12 months |
The total time from application to ceremony — the point when you officially become a citizen — is typically 17-21 months for most applicants. Some people wait longer.
Delays occur because of:
- Incomplete applications or documents that need clarification
- Character checks requiring overseas penal clearance records
- ASIO security assessments (required for all applicants)
- High application volumes at the Department
- Council-level delays in scheduling ceremonies once approval is granted
The Department does not offer a priority processing option for citizenship applications (unlike some visa subclasses). You cannot pay to move faster.
What Happens After You Lodge
The test: At some point after lodging, you will be invited to sit the citizenship test at a Department of Home Affairs office. The test must be passed before your application can proceed to approval. You do not need to book the test yourself — the Department will contact you when they are ready to schedule it.
Identity interview: Some applications are selected for an identity interview at a DHA office. This is not a cause for concern — it is a standard verification step that affects a portion of applicants.
Approval letter: When your application is approved, you receive a letter informing you and inviting you to a citizenship ceremony.
The ceremony: Ceremonies are typically conducted by your local council. Some councils hold ceremonies monthly; others hold them quarterly. The wait between approval and ceremony varies significantly by location — it is typically three to six months but can be longer.
How to Check Your Application Status
Once you have lodged your application, you can check its status through ImmiAccount. The status markers are:
- Application Received — lodgement confirmed
- Assessment in Progress — being reviewed
- Decision Made — outcome has been determined; you will receive written notification
- Ceremony Scheduled — invitation to ceremony issued
The Department recommends not contacting them until at least 16 months from lodgement unless your personal circumstances have changed (e.g., you have moved address, changed name, or had a new criminal matter).
Do You Need a Migration Agent?
Most applicants do not need a migration agent for a standard citizenship application. The process is procedurally straightforward: complete the form, submit the documents, pass the test, attend the ceremony.
A migration agent adds value in more complex situations — if you have character issues to address, if you have had visa refusals in the past, if your residency calculation is complicated by bridging visa periods, or if you have previously had issues with the Department. For a standard application by a permanent resident who has met the four-year requirement without complications, the $1,000-$2,000 migration agent fee is difficult to justify.
The Australia Citizenship Guide is designed precisely for applicants who want a structured walkthrough of the process without paying migration agent rates — covering the residency calculation, document checklist, test preparation, and post-ceremony steps in one place.
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