Australian Citizenship by Conferral: Meaning and Requirements
What citizenship by conferral means in Australia, who it is for, the main requirements and each step from application to the pledge.
Australian citizenship by conferral is the application pathway most migrants use to become Australian citizens. "Conferral" simply means that citizenship is granted to you by the Australian Government after you apply and meet the requirements — usually permanent residence, the residence requirement, the citizenship test and the pledge at a ceremony.
It is different from citizenship that you gain automatically, such as by birth in Australia to a citizen or permanent resident parent, and from citizenship by descent for people born overseas to an Australian parent.
What Does Citizenship by Conferral Mean?
Under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007, there are several ways to become a citizen. Some happen automatically. Others require an application. Conferral is the main application pathway for people who were not born Australian citizens and do not have an Australian citizen parent. If you are a permanent resident who has lived in Australia for some years, conferral is almost certainly your pathway.
Who Can Apply by Conferral?
In general, you need to:
- Be a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen, when you apply and when a decision is made
- Meet the residence requirement
- Be of good character if you are 18 or over
- Have a basic knowledge of English
- Understand the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship
- Intend to live in, or maintain a close and continuing link with, Australia
Our eligibility guide explains each requirement and the residence calculator. Some groups — such as certain children, people aged 60 and over, and people with particular circumstances — have different or more flexible requirements.
The Conferral Process Step by Step
- Check eligibility, especially your residence dates.
- Apply, usually online through ImmiAccount, and pay the application fee.
- Attend a citizenship appointment, where your identity is checked and you usually sit the test if you are 18 to 59.
- Receive a decision from the Department of Home Affairs.
- Make the pledge at a citizenship ceremony. You become a citizen at the moment you make it.
For more detail on each stage, see how to apply for Australian citizenship.
The Test and the Pledge
The citizenship test is a key part of conferral for most adults. It has 20 multiple-choice questions, a 45-minute limit and a 75% pass mark, and all five Australian values questions must be answered correctly. Applicants under 18 and those aged 60 and over generally do not sit the test, though older applicants usually attend an interview.
Applicants aged 16 and over are generally required to make the Australian Citizenship Pledge. Approval alone does not make you a citizen — making the pledge does.
Common Reasons Conferral Applications Are Refused
Most refusals are avoidable. The most common problems are applying before meeting the residence requirement, not being a permanent resident (or eligible New Zealand citizen) at the time of decision, not passing the test, and character concerns — including giving incorrect or incomplete information. Check your residence dates with the Department's calculator, answer every question honestly, and keep your contact details current so you do not miss an appointment. If an application is refused, the decision letter explains the reasons and whether you can seek a review.
Conferral vs Other Pathways
- By birth: automatic for most children born in Australia to a citizen or permanent resident parent — no application.
- By descent: for people born overseas to an Australian citizen parent — an application, but no test or ceremony requirement.
- By conferral: for permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens — application, test for most adults, and pledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "conferral" the same as naturalisation?
Broadly, yes. Other countries often use "naturalisation" for the same idea. In Australia, the official term is conferral.
Do I lose my other citizenship if I become Australian by conferral?
Australia does not require you to renounce it, but your other country's laws may. Check with that country before applying.
When exactly do I become a citizen?
When you make the pledge at your ceremony, not when your application is approved.
Can children become citizens by conferral?
Yes. Children under 16 are often included in a parent's application, and they do not sit the test.
Prepare for the Conferral Test
The test is the step most applicants worry about. CitiZen AU helps you prepare with practice questions by category, full 20-question mock tests and progress tracking, in English and Vietnamese.