Becoming a citizen by conferral is a common way to become an Australian citizen. You need to be a permanent resident and meet certain criteria before you can apply.
Become and Australian citizen (by conferral) - Permanent residents or New Zealand citizens
This is for:
- Australian permanent residents aged 18-59
- children aged 16 or 17
- children 15 years or younger applying with a parent or guardian
- Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme migrants
- eligible New Zealand citizens
- partners or spouses of an Australian citizen
- refugees or humanitarian migrants
You must
- be a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen when you apply and when the department decide your application
- be in Australia when the department decide on your application in most cases
- have spent time in Australia and know about our country
- intend to live in Australia or maintain a lasting link with Australia while overseas
Things to note
- This information is for people 59 years old and under. If you are 60 years old or older, see Persons 60 years and older.
- You can include a dependent child aged 15 or younger in your application. With permission from a responsible parent, a child 15 years or younger can apply on their own. The child must be a permanent resident.
- You cannot include a dependent child aged 16 or 17 on your application. They must apply on their own by following the process outlined on this page. The child must be a permanent resident.
Cost
AUD285; no cost for a child under 16 years applying with a parent. Other exemptions and concessions apply.
Become an Australian citizen (by conferral)
Become an Australian citizen (by conferral) - Person 60 years or over
This is for:
- permanent residents aged 60 years or over
- Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme migrants
- eligible New Zealand citizens
- partners or spouses of an Australian citizen
- refugees or humanitarian migrants
Things to note
- This information is for people 60 years or over. If you are 59 years or younger, see Permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens.
- You can include a dependent child aged 15 or younger in your application.
- You cannot include a dependent child aged 16 or 17 on your citizenship application. They must apply on their own.
- You do not need to sit the citizenship test
Eligibility criteria
- be a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen when you apply and when the department decide your application
- be in Australia when the department decide on your application, in most cases
- intend to live in Australia or maintain a lasting link with Australia while overseas
Cost
AUD180, AUD20 for some concession holders; No cost for children under 16 included on a parent's application form. Other fee exemptionsapply.
Become an Australian citizen (by descent) - Your parent was an Australian citizen when you were born overseas
This is for:
- people born overseas to a parent who is or was an Australian citizen and for parents to register a child born overseas
You must
- have been born outside Australia
- ensure that the person you are claiming descent from was your parent at the time of your birth and was also an Australian citizen at the time of your birth
- be of good character if you are 18 years old or over when you apply
Things to note
- if you are already an Australian citizen and need proof, apply for Evidence of Australian citizenship
- if you are 15 years of age or younger, your parent must sign your application
- the department cannot grant you a bridging visa for this application
Cost
AUD230; AUD95 for each sibling who applies at the same time as you.
