How to Become Australian Citizen: Fees, Test, Process & More 2026

How to become Australian citizen is a major milestone for many individuals who desire total rights and privileges in Australia. It involves going through certain eligibility conditions, producing documentation, passing a citizenship test and taking a citizenship ceremony. Because in the future, in 2026, you, a future citizen of Australia, will have to take a journey, this guide offers essential steps and requirements to follow to become an Australian citizen without issues.

How to Become Australian Citizen?

The guide to becoming Australian citizen is:

• The principal route of becoming a permanent resident is citizenship by conferral, and it entails that the candidate must be a resident of the country, of good character, and pass a citizenship test- this explains the route of becoming an Australian citizen for almost 90 per cent of the applicants.

• Citizenship by descent is extended to children born abroad who have at least one Australian parent, allowing them to claim citizenship by parentage rather than by residence.

• Adoption by naturalisation applies to children adopted by Australian citizens, and the applicant must demonstrate that the adoption was lawful and that the child is who they claim to be.

• Under special provisions, stateless people who have no other nationality may apply for Australian citizenship.

• Realising the route that you belong to will help accelerate the process, and you will not need to spend time waiting to willingly turn into an Australian citizen.
  

Note: As per our experts at TerraTern, Citizenship by conferral is the standard route for over 90% of permanent residents, while descent applies specifically to children born abroad to Australian citizen parents—understanding your correct pathway saves months of processing delays.

Also Read: An Immigration Expert's Checklist for the Australian Citizenship Test 

Who Is Eligible to Apply for Australian Citizenship by Conferral in 2026?

You must: be a permanent resident, live within 4 years before applying, be absent 12 months in total during 4 years and be absent 90 days during the last year, be of good character, have adequate English language skills, in order to qualify as an Australian conferred citizen. The requirements are applicable to the larger applicants on how to become an Australian citizen under the conferral pathway.

What Are the Residency Requirements for Australian Citizenship?

At the time of application, you should have 4 years of lawful residence in Australia on a valid visa, and 12 months as a permanent resident before your application.

• The temporary visa will be eligible for a 4-year period, so time in student, skilled, or partner visas will add to your eligibility period.

• Incidents of absence are strictly monitored: the maximum allowed time is 12 months of absence in 4 years and 90 days of absence in 12 months before application.

• Inclusion example calculation: In case you have been granted PR on the 1st January 2024, and were put on a temporary visa on the 1st January 2020, then you can apply on the 1st January 2026, provided that you have fulfilled the requirements of absence.

• To check whether you can stay or not and the days you have missed, the Department of Home Affairs is offering a residence calculator to confirm your eligibility.

• Implication to the Expert: When you are getting a PR grant, time is of the essence; it is impossible to apply for citizenship until 12 months of permanent residence, even though you have incurred 4+ years of temporary residence in Australia.

Experts' Insights: As per our expert Shreya, your PR grant date is critical—you cannot apply for citizenship until exactly 12 months after becoming a permanent resident, even if you've lived in Australia for 4+ years on temporary visas.

What Does the Character Requirement Mean for Citizenship Applications?

Good character assessment is used on all applicants who are 18 years and above, and it measures your behaviours, criminal record and adherence to the Australian laws.

• You need to submit an Australian Federal Police (AFP) clearance and international police checks of any country in which you have resided for a period of 12 months or above since the age of 18.

• The reasons which influence character evaluation are criminal convictions, visa cancellations, breach of the rules of immigration, said debts to the Commonwealth and fraudulent conduct.

• Form 1195 should be signed by a qualified referee whom you have known for at least 12 months and who can attest to your character and identity.

• Handling can be postponed or turned down in case of character issues, in which case more evidence or clarification is needed.

As per the TerraTern expert, Minor traffic violations typically don't affect your character assessment, but any criminal conviction, outstanding fines, or immigration compliance breaches require disclosure and may delay or prevent citizenship approval.

Do I Need to Prove English Language Skills?

To become an Australian citizen, the learner should have basic English language skills so that they can comprehend their rights, privileges, and duties of citizenship and complete the citizenship test.

• Some exemptions are made to those who are less than 18 years old, more than 60 years old, and physically or mentally disabled and unable to comprehend the citizenship requirements.

• English language is also determined by the citizenship test (ages 18-59) and, probably, an interview during which the officials check the professionalism of your language.

• Things acceptable as proof of citizenship comprise education in Australia, gainful employment in a role requiring the use of English or former English language test results, though no independent test is commonly mandated.

• The citizenship test is marked at 75 per cent, and it contains questions concerning Australian values, history and democratic principles, which will be administered in English.

As per the experts, if you've completed an Australian education or worked professionally in English-speaking environments, you automatically meet the English requirement—no separate language test is needed beyond the citizenship test itself.

What Documents Do I Need for My Australian Citizenship Application?

The right documents play a key role when one is applying to be an Australian citizen. The following is a detailed checklist based on categories and essential information on how to become an Australian citizen in 2026, such as certification and referee requirements.

• In a bid to obtain Australian citizenship successfully, you must first bring along important documents such as your up-to-date passport, evidence of permanent residence in the country and a full birth certificate containing the names of your parents.

• Get an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check and international police certificates for every country that has been home to at least 12 months and above since the age of 16.

• Bring together identity documents, which, taken together, indicate your first name and date of birth, photo, and signature, along with residential address; bring in marriage and name change certificates (where relevant).

• Into the form 1195, one must fill and sign: an Australian citizen referee, known to you for over 12 months, and meeting the needed professional or community standards.

• Include two passport-size photos with your complete name written on the back; s/he should never be just listed as "Rob," week 16, college, class, or anything really. Home affairs specifications: Have a parent sign the Facsimile for all workshops, pictures or print: make sure you get a parental signature to take to the next workshop.

• Get police clearances early; AFP and international are 4-8 week acquisitions, and those whose certificates are more than 12 months old will be rejected at the decision time.

• This checklist on well-prepared documents is an important step in how to become an Australian citizen without any delay or complication. How to become an Australian citizen.

As per our in-house expert, start obtaining your Australian Federal Police check and international police certificates early—they can take 4-8 weeks to process, and police certificates older than 12 months won't be accepted at the time of application decision.

Also Read: Immigration To Australia: Everything You Need To Know

How Do I Apply for Australian Citizenship Step-by-Step?

The following is a step-wise procedure for applying for Australian citizenship:

• Check Eligibility: With the assistance of the official Department of Home Affairs eligibility tool, make sure you have met eligibility requirements, such as residency, character and language. Check your travel and visa history with the Residence Calculator and VEVO.

• Prepare All Forms: Prepare your identity documents, permanent residence, police clearance and other documents in support. Certify and translate documents when necessary and put them in a way that can be accessed.

• Create ImmiAccount and Complete Form 1300: You need to log-in or register on the platform of ImmiAccount. Complete the online application form, which involves personal information, residence, travelling history and family information.

• Submit the Application Fee: Pay the application fee (34 payments of $560 in 2026) through ImmiAccount. Certain applicants might be reduced or exempt from fees, e.g. children under 16 years of age who are applying along with their parents.

• Take the Citizenship Test and Interview (where applicable): Take the statistical measure of Australian values, history and rights. Conduct an interview to identify the applicant and language proficiency in case of necessity, particularly among those between the ages of 18 and 59.

• Processing Time: Processing can be expected to take 8-14 months. At this period, expect some requests for further details or amended documents.

• Attend the Citizenship Ceremony: Once approved, you get a request to take part in a ceremony where you take the pledge, and finally, you are an Australian citizen.

How Do I Check My Eligibility Before Applying?

The online eligibility Department of Home Affairs will help in determining whether you qualify as a citizen or not in the following ways:

• Utilise the official residence calculator to verify the time of your lawful residence, the absence days and the date of your PR Anniversary.

• Review your travel history compared to absence limits in order to avoid disqualification.

• Ensure that you are a permanent resident by verifying your current visa status on VEVO ( Visa Entitlement Verification online.

• This is a very important step with regard to knowing how to become an Australian citizen without making mistakes in applying.

As per the expert, use the official Residence Calculator before applying—it automatically calculates your absence days and flags eligibility issues, preventing costly application rejections. 

How Do I Create and Submit My Citizenship Application Online?

To create and submit my citizenship application online:

• Create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website in order to begin your application.

• Fully complete Form 1300t in an online form with correct personal, home, travelling and family information.

• Post a copy of the documents to be submitted in scanned versions to the allowed permission of file size and in accepted formats ( PDF, JPEG.

• Check your application to make sure it is complete.

• You should save regularly when filling in your application lest your data gets lost because of a timeout.

• According to the knowledge, save your application often, as you are filling it in. The ImmiAccount will time out after 30 minutes of inactivity, and your application will be withheld. How to become an Australian citizen.

As per the expert, save your application frequently as you complete it—ImmiAccount sessions time out after 30 minutes of inactivity, and unsaved progress will be lost. 

What Is the Application Fee and How Do I Pay?

At present, the cost of obtaining Australian citizenship is AUD 575 (as of July 2026) for Australian citizens.

• Only eligible applicants may make a concession fee of 80 dollars by providing evidence of eligibility that could either be in the form of a Health Care Card or a Pensioner Concession Card.

• Children below 16 who apply together with one of their parents do not incur the fee.

• The payment is made safely on the Internet through your ImmiAccount by the use of credit card, PayPal, and other accepted methods.

• And fees are re-examined and can be comparatively applied on July 1; ensure that the new fees are current by consulting the current.

• According to professionals, provided you are entitled to receive the concession fees (have a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, or face a severe hardship), you can save on $495. Remember to attach your concession card to your application.

As per our expert Divyansh, if you're eligible for concession fees (holding a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, or experiencing significant financial hardship), you can save $495—make sure to upload your concession card with your application. 

What Topics Are Covered in the Citizenship Test? 

• The test includes four main topic areas:

1. Australia and its people
2. Australia's democratic beliefs, rights, and liberties
3. Government and the law in Australia
4. Australian values (mandatory section) covering shared values like mutual respect, equality, freedom, and the rule of law

• The 5 Australian values questions are mandatory and must be answered correctly to pass.

• The official study resource is the booklet "Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond" published by the Department of Home Affairs.

• Understanding these topics is essential when learning how to become an Australian citizen.

As per the expert, focus your study time on Australian values—these five questions are pass-or-fail with no margin for error, while you can miss up to 5 questions in the remaining 15 and still pass overall.

How Can I Prepare for the Australian Citizenship Test Successfully? 

To prepare for the Australian citizenship test:

• Study the official "Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond" booklet, available in Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and other Indian languages, for a better understanding.

• Take advantage of official practice tests and government video resources to build confidence.

• Plan a study timeline of 2 to 4 weeks for effective preparation.

• Focus on understanding the Australian values instead of rote memorisation.

• Take multiple practice tests to improve speed and accuracy.

As per expert, the official "Our Common Bond" booklet is available in Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and other Indian languages—studying in your preferred language then taking practice tests in English helps ensure you fully understand concepts while building English test confidence.

What Happens During the Citizenship Test Appointment?

• Before Test: Arrive 15 minutes early with a valid ID for verification at the test centre.

• During Test: Complete the 20-question computer-based exam in English, typically within 45 minutes.

• After Test: Receive immediate pass/fail notification on-screen.

• If you fail, you may reschedule a retake within 2-4 weeks with no additional fee.

• Some applicants may be asked to attend an interview after the test for further assessment.

As per the expert, you'll know your result immediately after completing the test—if you pass, the system displays confirmation instantly; if you fail, you can schedule a retake appointment within 2-4 weeks at no additional cost.

Also Read: Australia PR Process: Step-by-Step Guide for Skilled Migrants

How Long Does the Citizenship Application Take to Process?

Australian citizenship applications typically take between 10 and 20 months from submission to attending the citizenship ceremony. The process is divided into two main stages:

The overall average processing time is 12 to 15 months for most applicants, although more complex cases can extend up to 24 months.

• The longest wait usually occurs between approval and ceremony invitation, which is managed by local councils and varies significantly by location; Sydney and Melbourne tend to have longer delays compared to regional areas.

• Factors impacting processing times include application completeness, character and security checks, police clearance delays, and ceremony scheduling.

• During the waiting period, applicants can check their application status online via their ImmiAccount portal.

• The Department of Home Affairs provides official processing time updates and recommends patience as processing timelines can vary due to demand and complexity.

As per the expert, the longest wait is typically between approval and ceremony invitation (4-7 months)—this is controlled by local councils, not the Department, so processing times vary significantly by location, with Sydney and Melbourne generally experiencing longer waits than regional areas.

What Happens at the Australian Citizenship Ceremony? 

At the Australian citizenship ceremony:

• The citizenship ceremony is the final legal step where you officially become an Australian citizen by making the Pledge of Commitment.

• Ceremonies are conducted by local councils and typically last 1-2 hours, including formal speeches, the pledge-taking, certificate presentation, and celebrations.

• You will receive your citizenship certificate and have the option to make the pledge with or without a religious reference as you prefer.

• The ceremony is a significant and joyous event attended by other new citizens and their guests to celebrate the achievement.

• Attendees should bring their invitation letter, photo ID, and dress in smart casual or formal attire.

How Will I Be Invited to the Citizenship Ceremony in Australia? 

You will be invited to the citizenship ceremony in Australia in the following ways:

• Invitations are issued by your local council about 2 to 8 weeks after application approval, either by email or post, including date, time, and location details.

• You must confirm attendance in advance and can request one postponement with a valid reason, such as work, medical, or travel commitments.

• Failure to attend without notice can void your citizenship approval, requiring further action.

• The frequency of ceremonies varies by council, with some locations holding monthly events and others less frequently.

As per the expert, respond to your ceremony invitation immediately—if you cannot attend the scheduled date due to work, travel, or medical reasons, most councils will accommodate one reschedule request if made promptly.

What Is the Pledge of Commitment? 

The pledge is a legal requirement for most applicants aged 16 and over.

1. You may choose the version with or without the phrase “under God” based on personal or religious preference.

2. The presiding officer reads the pledge line by line, and attendees repeat it aloud together.

3. The pledge text for all attendees is:

• "From this time forward, [under God,]* I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold."

4. Citizenship becomes effective the moment you complete the pledge, enabling you to apply for passports, vote, and exercise full rights of citizenship.

As per the expert, you become an Australian citizen at the exact moment you complete the pledge—not when your application is approved—so even with approval, you cannot apply for an Australian passport or vote until after attending your ceremony.

What Should I Expect on Ceremony Day? 

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early for registration and seating.

• The ceremony typically includes welcome speeches, an acknowledgement of the Indigenous Custodians, the pledge ceremony, citizenship certificate presentation, and the Australian national anthem.

• Guests are usually welcome (most councils allow 2-4 guests), including children, and photography is often permitted.

• Dress in smart casual to formal attire and bring your ceremony invitation and photo ID.

As per the expert, Most councils allow 2-4 guests to attend your ceremony, and children are usually welcome—this is a celebration meant to be shared with family, so check your specific council's guest policy when you receive your invitation.

Also Read: Australia PR Invitation Rounds: Trusted Expert Analysis

What Are the Benefits of Australian Citizenship vs. Permanent Residency?

This comparison is based on official Department of Home Affairs documentation and reflects the strategic benefits of how to become Australian citizen over merely holding permanent residency. How to become Australian citizen benefits vs Permanent residency are:

As per our expert Shreya,  while permanent residents can live indefinitely in Australia, citizenship eliminates the risk of losing status due to prolonged overseas travel—PR holders must maintain residency requirements or obtain Resident Return Visas, while citizens can leave Australia for any duration and always have the right to return.

Can I Hold Dual Citizenship with India and Australia? 

Australia fully permits dual citizenship, allowing you to hold Australian and Indian nationality simultaneously without losing your Australian status.

• India does not recognise dual citizenship; when you acquire Australian citizenship, you must officially renounce Indian citizenship under Indian law.

• The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status provides a practical solution, offering lifelong multiple-entry visa-free access to India with most rights similar to those of Indian citizens.

• OCI benefits include property inheritance rights, educational opportunities, business activities, and NRI status, but exclude voting rights and government employment in India.

• Apply for OCI immediately after receiving your Australian citizenship certificate by submitting your Australian passport, renunciation documents, and required forms to the Indian authorities.

• Understanding this dual citizenship arrangement is essential when planning how to become Australian citizen while maintaining strong ties with India.

As per experts, apply for OCI status immediately after receiving your Australian citizenship certificate—OCI provides lifetime visa-free entry to India and maintains your connection to India while allowing you to enjoy full Australian citizenship benefits without complications.

Also Read: 10 Benefits of Australian PR Visa that You Just Can’t Miss

What Are Common Reasons for Citizenship Application Rejection? 

The common reasons for citizenship application rejecetion are:

• Failing to meet residency requirements due to the incorrect calculation of days spent in Australia. Use the official Residence Calculator and keep detailed travel records.

• Character concerns such as undisclosed criminal history, visa breaches, or outstanding debts to the Commonwealth. Full disclosure and honesty are essential.

• Insufficient evidence of identity or failure to provide certified documents meeting official standards.

• Providing fraudulent or false information in the application can lead to outright rejection.

• Not holding permanent residency status at the time the application decision is made.

• Multiple unsuccessful citizenship test attempts without demonstrated improvement.

As per experts, over 50% of rejections stem from residency calculation errors—always use the official Residence Calculator and keep detailed travel records with exact entry/exit dates to avoid costly application refusals.

How Much Does Australian Citizenship Cost in Total? 

Ceremony attendance is free of charge.

• Save money by self-certifying documents where possible and using standard police check processing times.

• Eligible applicants for concession fees include holders of Health Care Cards and Pensioner Concession Cards.

As per experts, Budget at least $700-800 for the complete citizenship process, including all mandatory fees—while the application fee is $575, police checks, document certification, and photos add another $150-250 in unavoidable costs.

Also Read: How To Prepare For Australia Immigration Interview: Student Visa

How Can Indian Citizens Prepare Their Citizenship Application Successfully? 

Indian citizens can prepare their citizenship application in the following ways:

• Start gathering necessary documents 3-4 months before becoming eligible to apply.

• Obtain Indian police clearance certificates for all states where you have lived after age 16, which can take 6-8 weeks.

• Ensure all Indian documents are translated into English by NAATI-certified translators.

• Maintain detailed travel records, especially of visits to India, with exact entry and exit dates.

• Prepare comprehensive employment history documentation and any other supporting proof of residence and identity.

• Understand the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) requirements to maintain ties with India post-citizenship.

Important Note: As per our experts at TerraTern, Indian police certificates require significant processing time; start the process early and obtain certificates for all Indian states where you resided, not just your state of origin.

Conclusion

Learning how to become Australian citizen in 2026 is achievable for Indian permanent residents. The 12-18 month process involves document preparation, online application, citizenship test, and ceremony. Success requires accurate residency calculations, proper certification, focused test preparation, and understanding OCI pathways. With a $575 fee and substantial benefits—including unrestricted travel, voting rights, and enhanced employment—citizenship offers lifelong security and full membership in Australian society while maintaining Indian cultural connections. 

Contact TerraTern for more information on How to Become an Australian Citizen: Complete Guide for 2026.