EMC Australia / Citizenship
Become an Australian citizen — or prove you already are
Citizenship is not a visa. It is a different application, with different tests, even if you already hold a permanent visa. There are three common paths: conferral (become a citizen), descent (a child of a citizen born overseas), and evidence (prove you already are one).
Who this page is for
- You are a permanent resident and want to apply for citizenship by conferral
- Your child was born outside Australia and you want citizenship by descent
- You need a citizenship certificate or evidence of citizenship you already hold
- Citizenship was refused and you need a review or a new application
Applications
Conferral, descent, or proof you are already a citizen
These are citizenship applications. They are not visas, and a permanent visa is not citizenship.
Conferral
Usually in Australia
Citizenship by conferral
You are a permanent resident (or in limited other categories) and meet residence, character and knowledge requirements.
The usual path for a permanent resident who has lived in Australia for the required period, sits the test if required, and wants to become a citizen. Counting days in and days out is where applications go wrong. Character still applies.
Descent
Often from outside Australia
Citizenship by descent
A child born outside Australia with a parent who was an Australian citizen at the time of birth.
This is about the parent’s citizenship at birth, identity, and registration. It is not conferral. Adult children can still apply in many cases. Documents from another country need to be the right ones, not whatever you have to hand.
Evidence
In or from outside Australia
Evidence of Australian citizenship
You are already a citizen and need a certificate or replacement evidence.
Not an application to become a citizen. Used when records are missing, names have changed, or a certificate is required for a passport or another process.
In or from outside Australia
Citizenship review
A citizenship application was refused or cancelled, and the decision can be reviewed.
This is a tribunal (or court) matter, not a new conferral form. The review itself is run from the appeals page.
Citizenship review
How EMC works
How we help
01
Residence, counted properly
For conferral we map your movements. A year of frequent travel can quietly break the residence rule.
02
Identity and character
Name changes, previous identities, and police certificates. Citizenship is not the place to leave a gap you hoped no one would notice.
03
If it was refused
Citizenship review is its own tribunal path. We do not treat it as a visa appeal.
First conversation
What to bring
- Passport, permanent visa grant, and a list of international travel if applying by conferral
- Birth certificate, and parents’ citizenship evidence for descent
- Police certificates if you have them
- Any previous citizenship application or refusal
- Change-of-name documents
Before you apply
Things that go wrong
- Holding a partner or skilled visa does not make you a citizen. Permanent residence is the usual first step for conferral.
- The citizenship test is required for most conferral applicants of a certain age. Booking it is part of the process, not a surprise.
- Descent is not automatic just because a parent later became a citizen. Timing of the parent’s citizenship matters.
- Do not apply for conferral if you cannot show the residence period. Wait, or get advice, rather than collecting a refusal.
Questions
People ask this first
After you are a permanent resident and you meet the residence period (and the other conferral rules). The 801 or 100 grant is not itself citizenship. Count the days.
Start with your situation.
You do not need to know which form. Book a consultation, or send us a message.
MARN 1800335 · Level 14, 333 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.
Related topics
This page is general information, not advice about your circumstances. Australian migration law changes. You should consult a Registered Migration Agent before you apply. EMC Australia is OMARA-registered (MARN 1800335).