Australia · Citizenship
Australian Citizenship by Conferral
Founders who hold Australian permanent residence can apply for citizenship after four years of lawful residence, the last twelve months as permanent residents. Australia allows dual citizenship and has no citizenship-by-investment program.
- Startup route
- National Innovation visa (subclass 858)
- Minimum capital
- No investment threshold; exceptional record required
- Permanent residence
- Immediate on visa grant
- Citizenship
- 4 years' residence incl. 12 months as PR
Australian citizenship by conferral
Conferral is the usual way for migrants to become Australian citizens. Applicants must be permanent residents both when they apply and when the decision is made, and in most cases they must be in Australia at the decision. The general residence requirement asks for four years of living in Australia on a valid visa immediately before applying, including twelve months on a permanent visa, with no more than twelve months of absences in total and no more than 90 days in the final year. Most applicants aged 18 to 59 sit a citizenship test. They must also be of good character and intend to live in Australia or keep a close and continuing link with it.
- Residence
- 4 years on a valid visa, last 12 months as a PR
- Absences
- Max 12 months in 4 years; 90 days in the final year
- Test
- 20 questions; 75% plus all 5 values questions
- Government fee
- AUD 285 for applicants aged 18–59 who sit the test
- Processing time
- 75% in 13 months; 90% in 16 months
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed by Australia
Requirements
- Permanent residence when applying and when the application is decided.
- Four years of living in Australia on a valid visa immediately before applying, the last twelve months on a permanent visa.
- Total absences of no more than twelve months in those four years, including no more than 90 days in the final year.
- A pass in the citizenship test, scoring at least 75% and answering all five Australian values questions correctly.
- Good character for applicants aged 18 and over.
- An intention to live in Australia or maintain a close and continuing link with it.
How to apply
- Check the residence dates with the Home Affairs Residence Calculator.
- Apply online in ImmiAccount, or on paper where required, and pay the fee.
- Attend the appointment and sit the 45-minute computer-based citizenship test.
- After approval, attend a citizenship ceremony, usually within six months, and make the pledge.
Dual citizenship and the citizenship clock
Australia allows a person to hold dual citizenship, so a founder who becomes Australian does not need to renounce another nationality under Australian law. Some countries do not permit it, and the home country's rules decide whether the original citizenship survives. For National Innovation visa holders, permanent residence for citizenship purposes starts on the grant date if they were in Australia, or on first entry if they were abroad. Time spent in Australia on a valid visa before that date can count toward the four years, but the final twelve months must be on the permanent visa. Australia offers no citizenship-by-investment route.
Questions and answers
When can a National Innovation visa holder apply for citizenship?
Once four years of living in Australia on a valid visa have passed, the final twelve of them as a permanent resident, with absences inside the limits. A founder who arrives on the visa from abroad starts the permanent residence count on first entry, so four years from that date is the earliest point in most cases.
Does Australia allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Australian law allows a person to be a citizen of two or more countries. New citizens may keep their previous nationality unless the other country's law removes it. Dual citizens should use their Australian passport to enter and leave Australia.
What is on the Australian citizenship test?
The test has 20 computer-based multiple-choice questions and takes 45 minutes. It checks basic English, knowledge of Australia and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, and commitment to Australian values. Applicants pass with at least 75% overall, provided they answer all five questions on Australian values correctly.
How long does Australian citizenship processing take?
Home Affairs processes 75% of applications in 13 months and 90% in 16 months, measured from lodgement to the citizenship ceremony. Ceremonies are usually held within six months of approval. Incomplete forms, missing documents or delays in attending the ceremony can extend the timeline.
Official sources
- Become an Australian citizen (by conferral) - Department of Home Affairsimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Learn about the citizenship test - Department of Home Affairsimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Travelling as a dual citizen - Department of Home Affairsimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- National Innovation visa (subclass 858) - Department of Home Affairsimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Australia.
Startup visa
National Innovation visa by invitation after an Expression of Interest
02Temporary residence
No provisional stage on the NIV; subclass 188 closed to new applicants
03Permanent residence
PR from grant; 5-year travel facility, then a Resident Return visa
04Citizenship
Conferral after 4 years in Australia, the last 12 months as a permanent resident