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 all that this country stands for. 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’.

Australian citizenship is a privilege that offers enormous rewards. By becoming an Australian citizen, you are joining a unique national community.

As an Australian citizen you can apply for an Australian passport, vote, work for the Government, become Prime Minister, register your children as Australian citizens, and travel to your country with the right to return to Australia as a citizen whenever you want.

Australia permits dual citizenship and you can retain your current passport and nationality while holding an Australian passport.

Citizenship Requirements

You can apply to become an Australian citizen if you meet the following criteria:

• You have held a substantive visa (temporary or permanent) allowing you to be legally in Australia for at least four years;
•  You have physically lived in Australia for at least three out of the last four years (cumulative);
• You have held a permanent residency visa for at least the last 12 months before applying; and
• You have not been out of Australia for more than 3 months in the last 12 months before applying.
• You must be of good character, understand your obligations as an Australian citizen, and may be required to complete a Citizenship Test.