Free practice test

Tests

Driving testsCitizenship testsSchool and university admissionsNursing, medicine and healthEnglish and French testsTeachingMoney, law and insuranceTrades and work licencesPilots, drones, boats and radio

Countries

United StatesCanadaUnited KingdomAustraliaNew Zealand

Australia · Citizenship test

Australian citizenship eligibility check

Start with the residence requirement. When you apply, you must have lived in Australia on a valid visa for the past 4 years, held a permanent visa (or a New Zealand Special Category visa) for the last 12 months, and been away no more than 12 months in total, including no more than 90 days in the last year. The Home Affairs Residence Calculator runs an Australian citizenship eligibility check on those dates, as a guide only.

  • 4 yearsLiving in Australia on a valid visa
  • 12 monthsAs a permanent resident, just before
  • 90 daysTotal time away allowed in the last year
Open the Residence CalculatorFree practice test

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What does the Australian citizenship eligibility check cover?

Besides residence, Home Affairs looks at whether you:

  • are a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen, when you apply and when it decides
  • are of good character, if you’re 18 or over
  • have a basic knowledge of English and an adequate knowledge of Australia, which most applicants show by sitting the test
  • are likely to live in Australia, or keep a close and continuing link with it while overseas
  • can prove your identity from birth

How the test fits your eligibility

Passing the test is how you meet the knowledge and English requirements, if you’re 18 to 59 when you apply. Younger and older applicants may have an interview instead.

The citizenship interview →

When Home Affairs can’t approve you

Even if you meet the criteria, Home Affairs must not approve your application when, for example:

  • proceedings for an offence against an Australian law are pending
  • it’s less than 2 years since you were released from a prison sentence of 12 months or more, or 10 years if you’re a repeat offender
  • you’re assessed as a risk to Australia’s security
  • you stopped being an Australian citizen in the past 12 months

Using the Residence Calculator

You need the date your permanent residence started, the date you first lived here on a valid visa, the date you plan to apply, and every trip in and out of Australia in the last 4 years. If you don’t know your travel dates, you can request your international movement records from Home Affairs for free. Home Affairs assesses your residence from its own records when you apply, not from what you enter.

Sources: Home Affairs and 2 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

OverviewPractice testWhere to learnQuestionsAppointmentCostOnline testOur Common BondTest support

Your application

How to applyEligibilityInterviewAfter the test

About the test

Australian valuesTest changesPodcast