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Australian Citizenship (for N.Z. Citizens)
Australian Citizenship (by Conferral) is a common and streamlined pathway for eligible New Zealand citizens to become Australian citizens.
To apply, the applicant must be an eligible New Zealand citizen or qualify under the new direct pathway to citizenship, and must meet the relevant eligibility and residency criteria.
Once citizenship is granted, the individual gains full rights and privileges, including the ability to apply for an Australian passport, vote in elections, and access a wide range of citizenship benefits.
Given the complexity of the Australian Citizenship process and the numerous eligibility requirements involved, we recommend booking a complimentary consultation with Andreas Athanasiou to discuss your specific circumstances and pathway options.
Eligibility (Pathway 1)
Applications are assessed in accordance with the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 and the Australian Citizenship Regulations 2016, including a number of requirements prescribed under the legislation. To be eligible to apply for Australian Citizenship (by Conferral), an applicant must generally:
Have been present in Australia on 26 February 2001, or
Have been in Australia for a total of 12 months between 26 February 1999 and 26 February 2001, or
Have been assessed by Centrelink as a ‘Protected Special Category Visa (SCV) holder’, or
Have been ordinarily resident in Australia for four or more years.
Applicants may also need to:
Meet the residence requirements.
Meet the character requirements.
Demonstrate an understanding of Australian citizenship, which in most cases includes passing the Citizenship Test.
Have a basic knowledge of the English language.
Intend to live in Australia, or maintain a close and continuing association with Australia if residing overseas.
The criteria listed above represent the minimum requirements only. Additional information and supporting documentation may be required from the applicant to confirm eligibility.
For personalised guidance and an assessment of your individual circumstances, you are welcome to contact our office for a complimentary consultation.
Eligibility (Pathway 2)
Since 2023, eligible New Zealand citizens living in Australia now have a direct pathway to Australian citizenship without needing to first apply for permanent residency.
To qualify under this pathway, the applicant must:
Hold a Special Category Visa (SCV) (Subclass 444); and
Have been living in Australia for four years or more on that visa; and
Meet the standard citizenship requirements, such as residence, character, and citizenship test obligations.
For citizenship purposes:
All SCV holders are treated as permanent residents, even if they have not been granted a permanent visa.
If the SCV was granted before 1 July 2022, the permanent residency start date is automatically backdated to 1 July 2022.
If the SCV was granted on or after 1 July 2022, the permanent residency start date is the date the SCV was granted.
These provisions apply to New Zealand citizens currently in Australia, as well as those outside Australia, provided they held a SCV immediately before leaving.
The criteria listed above represent the minimum requirements only. Additional information and supporting documentation may be required from the applicant to confirm eligibility.
For personalised guidance and an assessment of your individual circumstances, you are welcome to contact our office for a complimentary consultation.
General Residence Requirements
When assessing eligibility for Australian Citizenship (by Conferral), the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will consider the period the applicant has lawfully lived in Australia over the past four years. In certain circumstances, exemptions may apply.
At the time of application, the applicant must have:
Lived in Australia on a valid visa for the past 4 years.
Been an Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen for at least the past 12 months.
Been absent from Australia for no more than 12 months in total over the 4-year period, including no more than 90 days in total during the final 12 months.
Applicants aged 16 or 17 may be exempt from this requirement if meeting it would cause significant hardship or disadvantage, supported by evidence.
Children under 16 years of age are not required to meet the general residence requirement but must be Australian permanent residents.
Citizenship Test & Interview
Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of what it means to become an Australian citizen. To assess this, most applicants between the ages of 18 and 60 are required to sit and pass the Australian Citizenship Test.
During the interview and testing process at a Department of Home Affairs (DHA) office, applicants must demonstrate:
Basic knowledge of the English language.
An understanding of the meaning and significance of Australian citizenship.
Awareness of Australia’s history, democratic system, and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.
A commitment to Australian values, including freedom, respect, and equality.
To meet the DHA’s knowledge requirement, applicants must score at least 75% on the Citizenship Test and correctly answer all five questions related to Australian values.
Application Charges
Citizenship applicants are charged a DHA application fee based on their age at the time of lodgement:
Ages 18 to 59: AUD $575.
Ages 16 or 17, or 60 and over: AUD $350.
Members of the family unit may be included as secondary applicants in certain circumstances.
Applicants should also be aware of potential additional expenses, which may include:
Professional fees of the appointed migration firm.
National or overseas criminal history checks.
Certified translations of documents (if required).
Bank or credit card surcharges.
Professional fees charged by the appointed Migration Agency.*
*To help reduce financial pressure, Olympus Migration offers flexible payment plans, allowing professional fees to be paid in instalments over a period of up to 15 months.
After the Citizenship Lodgement
Once the application is lodged, the applicant will receive an Acknowledgement Letter from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The applicant will continue to remain on their current visa while the application is being processed. Bridging Visas are not issued for citizenship applications. If their current visa is expiring, they must apply for another visa to remain in Australia lawfully.
The DHA currently indicates an average processing time of up to 12 months from the date of application to the date of decision. Processing times are determined entirely by the Department and cannot be influenced by a migration agent. Citizenship applications prepared and lodged by Andreas Athanasiou are submitted in a detailed, decision-ready formatthat clearly address all evidentiary and procedural requirements.
If the application is approved (and the Citizenship Test has been successfully passed, where required), the applicant will be invited to attend a Citizenship Ceremony.
An applicant becomes an Australian citizen officially on the day of the ceremony, when they receive their Citizenship Certificate.
In the following link, you can view genuine testimonials from past clients and individuals who have received Australian immigration advice from our Director, Andreas Athanasiou. All testimonials are sourced directly from our Google page and reflect consistently outstanding client feedback.
Recent Citizenship Approvals
The Olympus Migration Difference
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Expert Advice
Our Director, Andreas Athanasiou, is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1685134) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA), bringing over a decade of experience and having managed 1,000+ visa lodgements across a wide range of complex and straightforward migration matters successfully.
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Fixed Fees
We believe clarity builds trust. That’s why we operate on a fixed-fee basis — no hidden costs or surprise charges at any stage of your matter. To ease financial pressure, we also offer flexible payment plans of up to 15 months, including post-lodgement, tailored to suit your individual circumstances and financial situation.
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Direct & Prompt
You deal directly with our Director, not a case manager or junior staff, ensuring clear and consistent communication. We respond promptly and are available 365 days a year, with your matter personally managed from start to finish, providing experienced oversight, strong accountability, and confidence at every stage.
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Peace of Mind
We have an outstanding record, however if your application is refused, we may assist with a merits review, at our discretion, without additional professional fees. This reflects our ongoing commitment to you — our Peace of Mind Policy, because once you engage us, you are family, and we stand by you every step of the way.
Our Step-by-Step Process
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Book Your Free 1-Hour Consultation
Begin by contacting our office via phone, email, or online enquiry to arrange your complimentary 1-hour consultation. Our friendly team is here to assist you, and we are available 365 days a year. We offer both face-to-face meetings in Melbourne and Zoom consultations for clients across Australia and worldwide, ensuring flexibility no matter your location.
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Meet with Andreas Athanasiou (RMA)
During your complimentary 1-hour, obligation-free consultation, you will speak directly with our Director, who will take the time to understand your circumstances in detail. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, receive a clear assessment of your eligibility, and be provided with tailored advice along with a written outline of the most suitable visa pathways available to you.
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Formally Appoint Us to Act for You
If you decide to proceed and meet the relevant eligibility criteria, you may formally appoint our office to act on your behalf. You will be provided with a comprehensive Agreement for Services and Fees, clearly outlining the scope of work, professional fees, and terms of engagement. Once this is reviewed and signed, you officially become a valued client of Olympus Migration.
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We Prepare & Lodge Your Application
Following your appointment, we will issue you with a detailed checklist of required documents tailored to your specific matter. As you begin providing the necessary information, we will carefully prepare your application and supporting documentation. Once you have reviewed and approved our work, we will lodge your application with the Department of Home Affairs.
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Ongoing Support Until the Decision
After lodgement, our office will manage all correspondence with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf. We will keep you informed of updates and requests, and remain in contact throughout the process. We may request additional documents after lodgement to ensure your application remains complete. Our representation continues until a final decision is made.
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Our Commitment to your Peace of Mind
We have an outstanding record of successful outcomes; however, in the scenario that your application is refused, Olympus Migration will, where appropriate and subject to your ongoing eligibility and instructions, assist you with preparing and lodging a further application or a merits review to the Tribunal, without additional professional fees. This is our ‘Peace of Mind’ policy.
Book a Free 1-Hour Consultation
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All communication is handled directly by our Director and Registered Migration Agent, Andreas Athanasiou (MARN: 1685134), ensuring clear, consistent, and expert guidance throughout your matter.
Learn more about Andreas on our About Us page.
In-person consultations are available strictly by appointment at Level 10, 440 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.