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Move To Australia Guide
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How To Become An Australian Citizen
Last updated 7 months ago on 1 October 2024

How To Become An Australian Citizen

Becoming an Australian citizen gives you significantly more rights than an SCV, plus there's a new pathway for New Zealanders from 2023.

Key Points

  • You need Australian citizenship to vote in local and federal elections.
  • Australian citizenship is required to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
  • You may need citizenship for ongoing work with the Australian Government.
  • From July 2023 NZ citizens can apply for Australian citizenship by conferral.

Disclaimer: We are not migration experts. The information below is from our research into options for becoming Australian citizens. For professional advice, please see the links in the Professional Help section below.

As a New Zealand citizen, you are granted a Special Category Visa (SCV) on arrival in Australia which means you can work and live in Australia indefinitely. If you want to live in Australia for just a few years, and eventually return to New Zealand, the SCV you receive on arrival may do you just fine.

But if you are intending to live in Australia permanently, it can be a very good idea to consider becoming an Australian citizen.

Why Become An Australian Citizen?

The main benefits to becoming an Australian citizen are:

  • Being able to vote in Australia in local and federal elections.
  • The ability to apply for federal government and army jobs.
  • Apply for financial assistance for higher education.
  • Receive consular support while overseas.
  • Your children can become Australian citizens.

Although the SCV lets New Zealanders live and work in Australia indefinitely, it is a temporary, unprotected visa - which means it can be cancelled by the Australian government at any time.

The most common way this can happen is when a New Zealander living in Australia is convicted and sentenced to 12 months or more in prison. In this situation an SCV is automatically cancelled, usually leading to deportation back to New Zealand. An SCV can also be cancelled based on character grounds, for example if you associate with a criminal organisation.

Direct Pathway To Citizenship For New Zealanders

On 22 April 2023, the Australian Government announced a direct pathway to citizenshipThis is an external link that allows New Zealand citizens who have been living in Australia for 4 years or more to apply directly for Australian citizenship, rather than first having to apply for permanent residency.

This is a huge change and it dramatically reduces the cost, paperwork and time involved for New Zealanders wanting to become Australian citizens.

From 1 July 2023 all New Zealand citizens holding an SCV are considered a permanent resident for citizenship purposes and are eligible to apply once they’ve been living in Australia for 4 years.

To explain how much things have changed: previously, all New Zealanders wanting to apply for Australian citizenship first needed to apply for permanent residency. And to be eligible for permanent residency you had to be earning over $53,000 for five years and pass health tests.

The cost of this permanent residency application alone was a whopping $3,600, not to mention the health check on top of this and then - later on - another cost to apply for citizenship.

We’ll talk in more detail about the new application process for citizenship below, but now costs to New Zealanders for an Australian citizenship application are around $500.

Children Of NZ Citizens Born In Australia

As of 1 July 2023, if you are a New Zealand citizen on an SCV and you have a child born on or after 1 July 2022, they receive automatic Australian citizenship and can apply for evidence of citizenshipThis is an external link.

Are You Eligible To Apply For Citizenship?

  • You need to have been living in Australia for 4 years, without extended absences (more details hereThis is an external link).
  • You must be a permanent resident for at least 12 months, meaning you haven’t been out of the country for more than 90 days in the 12 months before applying. Time on your SCV will be considered permanent residence for citizenship purposes with effect from 1 July 2023.
  • You need to be considered to be of good character (your criminal record in NZ and Australia is considered for this) and likely to continue to live in Australia or maintain a close link with Australia while overseas.

How To Apply For Australian Citizenship

You can apply for citizenship onlineThis is an external link (don’t forget to save as you go!). In some cases, you may need to download a paper form and submit it by post.

Here is a very brief summary of the documents most New Zealanders on an SCV need to apply for Australian citizenship, but make sure you then read the full and most current details hereThis is an external link before applying.

  • Three forms of evidence of identity documents.
  • Your full birth certificate and any change of name certificates (such as a marriage certificate).
  • Photograph & signature evidence.
  • Evidence of residential address.
  • Evidence of identity in the community (passport photos & signed declaration).

The Department of Home Affairs will request an overseas penal clearance certificate from New Zealand once you apply (you no longer have to do this yourself), along with an Australian police check.

You no longer need to get a health check.

Can Multiple Family Members Apply On The Same Application?

Generally every individual needs to apply separately, however a parent can include their dependent child aged 15 years or younger in their application at no extra cost (if two parents are applying for citizenship, all children under 15 years should be listed on only one application). Children older than 16 must apply on their own.

Cost

The cost is currently $540 - concessions may apply. Check the cost for your specific situation hereThis is an external link .

Time

It usually takes a few months for your application to be processed. You can check current processing times for Citizenship applicationsThis is an external link.

Citizenship Interview

After you apply for citizenship, you will be invited for an interview and may need to sit a citizenship testThis is an external link.

You will then be notified of the outcome by letterThis is an external link. If you are approved, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony.

We wish you well in your quest to become an Australian citizen!

Professional Help

The information on this page about citizenship is specifically for eligible New Zealand citizens on a SCV.

If your circumstances are not covered by the guidelines above, you can find more information below:

Department of Home Affairs - Immigration and CitizenshipThis is an external link

Where to Find Application HelpThis is an external link

New Zealand Embassy Visa FAQThis is an external link

Still have questions about how to become an Australia citizen? Take a look at our discussion forum where you can ask for help and share what you‘ve learned.
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