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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)
To be eligible to apply for Australian Citizenship (by Conferral) as an eligible New Zealand citizen, the applicant must satisfy one of the following:
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 (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 Subclass 444 visa 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.
The DHA currently indicates an average processing time of up to 12 months from the date of application to the date of decision. However, this timeframe can vary and is subject to change based on DHA priorities and individual circumstances.
At Olympus Migration, many citizenship applications submitted by Andreas Athanasiou have been approved in shorter timeframes, due to the preparation of thorough, decision-ready applications.
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 find testimonials by past Clients and by individuals who have sought Australian immigration advice from our Director, Andreas Athanasiou.
These have been extracted from our Google Business page.
Our ‘Peace of Mind’ Policy
Our Director and Registered Migration Agent, Andreas Athanasiou, has dedicated over a decade to helping people build a future in Australia. Being an immigrant himself, is journey is deeply personal — he understands that every visa is not just an application, but a life, a dream, and a family hoping for a better tomorrow.
With more than 1,000 visas successfully prepared, Andreas has supported individuals and families from over 100 countries, each with their own story. Many of our clients began this journey feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or uncertain — but they found comfort, clarity, and success when they placed their trust in him. You can read more about his journey in our About Us section.
Whether you meet Andreas in person in Melbourne or speak with him via Zoom from anywhere in the world, you will be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. Your concerns will be heard, your questions will be answered, and your future will be handled with care.
We offer a full 1-hour complimentary consultation because you deserve time, attention and genuine guidance — not rushed advice or expensive upfront fees. We firmly believe you should not have to pay hundreds of dollars just to understand your options, or be charged heavily before receiving real clarity.
We are committed to standing by your side every step of the way. In the unlikely event your application is refused, Olympus Migration will prepare and lodge a new application or appeal to the Tribunal at no additional professional fees, if you are eligible. This is our promise to you, and our ‘Peace of Mind’ policy. We do this because we believe in you — and we don’t give up on our clients.
At Olympus Migration, you are not just another file.
You are our family — and your journey is our mission.
What is the Process?
Why Olympus Migration?
Expert Advice
Our Director, Andreas Athanasiou, is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 1685134) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, with over a decade of experience and more than 1,000 successful visa lodgements to his name.
Fixed Fees
We operate strictly on a fixed-fee basis, ensuring complete transparency with no hidden costs or unexpected charges at any stage. To ease financial pressure, we also offer flexible payment plans of up to 15 months for our valued clients.
Prompt Service
Our clients are the heart of our company and the very reason we exist. We are deeply committed to their complete satisfaction, treating every matter as a top priority and always responding within the same business day.
Peace of Mind
In the unlikely event that an application is refused, we will re-apply or appeal the decision without charging any additional professional fees to Olympus Migration clients. This is our commitment to you — our Peace of Mind policy.
Book a Complimentary 1-Hour Consultation
You can discuss your case and concerns with Andreas Athanasiou either Face-to-Face or via Zoom.
You can book a confidential and complimentary 1-hour consultation to assess your eligibility using any of the options below:
• Email: andreas@olympusmigration.com.au
• Call: 1300 804 204
• Message us directly (in this section)
We are available 7 days a week, including on Public Holidays.
• Head Office: L10, 440 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Satellite Office: Templestowe VIC 3106
• Satellite Office: Epping VIC 3076
All Office meetings are by appointment only