Australia Citizenship

Australian citizenship:

​​​Australian citizenship is an important step in your migration story. Becoming an Australian citizen means that you are making an ongoing commitment to Australia and our shared values. It is also the beginning of your formal membership of the Australian community.  It is the step that will enable you to say ‘I am Australian’.​​​

As an Australian citizen you can:

• Vote in federal and state or territory elections and in a referendum
• Apply for children born overseas to become Australian citizens by descent
• Apply for a job in the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force
• Seek election to parliament
• Apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely
• Ask for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas

Citizenship test and interview:

• ​​​​​Most applicants for citizenship by conferral aged between 18 and 59 years will have an appointment to sit the citizenship test. Others may only have an interview.
• The test assesses your English language skills and what you know about Australia and Australian citizenship.

Citizenship test

• The citizenship test is part of the application process for most applicants for Australian citizenship by conferral.

Passing the citizenship test will show you have:

• A basic knowledge of the English language
• An understanding of what it means to become an Australian citizen
• An adequate knowledge of Australia and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship
• An understanding and commitment to Australian values based on freedom, respect and equality.

Citizenship interview:

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​Applicants who do not need to sit the citizenship test may have an interview. So to confirm their identity and ask about their application. If there is a need to interview you, they will contact you with the details.

If you:

• Are aged 16 or 17, you may be required to demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship.
• Are aged 60 years or over, you may be required to show you understand the nature of your application. A family member or friend can help if an interpreter is needed.
• Have a hearing, speech or sight impairment, you may be required to show you understand the nature of your application.​

Citizenship Test and Interview-

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/test-and-interview/overview

Citizenship ceremony:

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​It is a legal requirement for most people to make the Australian citizenship pledge of commitment.

A citizenship ceremony is where you make the pledge of commitment. For most people, this is the final step in the journey to becoming an Australian. After your citizenship application is approved you will receive an invitation to attend a ceremony.​

Processing times

If you have applied for Australian citizenship by conferral:

1. 90% of applications are processed within 10 months
2. 90% of approved applicants will have the opportunity to attend a ceremony within 7 months of approval.
3. If applied for Australian citizenship by descent, 90% of applications are processed within 5 months.
4. If applied for Evidence of Australian citizenship, 90% of applications are processed within 17 days.

Factors that can affect the processing time of your application include:

1. Whether given a complete application, including all the supporting documents
2. How prompt the response when asked for more information or documents
3. The time it takes to check the information given
4. The time it takes for information from other agencies, usually for character and national security requirements.