Australian citizenship
The Residence Requirement
Citizenship by conferral is won or lost on the calendar: four lawful years, a permanent final year, and absence limits counted to the day.
The requirement
What the calendar asks of you.
Every overseas trip since you turned 18 goes to the Department as part of the assessment. We reconcile your movement records against the requirement before anything is lodged.
Four lawful years, one permanent
Living in Australia on valid visas for the four years immediately before applying, and holding permanent residence for at least the final twelve months. Time on temporary visas counts toward the four years; the last year must be permanent.
The two absence limits
No more than twelve months outside Australia across the four years, and no more than 90 days in the twelve months before you apply. Both are counted to the day, and either can sink an otherwise perfect application.
The Special Category concession
New Zealand citizens on a Special Category visa are deemed permanent residents from the date their first SCV was granted, or from 1 July 2022 if it was granted earlier, so many qualify without ever holding a formal permanent visa.
The New Zealand pathwayMinisterial discretion
In limited cases the Minister can treat time that would otherwise not count: unlawful residence caused by administrative error, temporary residence where refusal would mean significant hardship or disadvantage, and time spent outside Australia as a permanent resident while the partner of an Australian citizen with a close and continuing connection to Australia. These are examples rather than a promise; concessions are argued case by case.
The pathway
How we run the calendar.
Movement audit
Your full travel history is reconciled against the four-year and absence rules, day by day.
Timing call
If a limit is breached, we calculate the earliest date you qualify, or the concession that fits.
Evidence
Visa history, movement records and any concession case are assembled before lodgement.
Lodge with confidence
The application goes in only when the calendar supports it.
General information only, not immigration advice. Your circumstances matter. Visa requirements, fees and processing times change regularly. Facts on this page last reviewed 15 July 2026. Check current details with the Department of Home Affairs , or speak with us for advice on your situation. Website terms.
Begin with a conversation.
Speak with a MARA-registered migration agent in Melbourne about your pathway. Book a time that suits you.