Step 1: Confirm that you are eligible

• Are you a permanent resident?

• Have you been present in Australia as a permanent resident for two years in the previous five years, including for twelve months in the past two years?

• Are you of good character?

• Do you have a basic knowledge of English? (this requirement won't apply if you are aged 50 or over)

• Do you have an adequate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of being an Australian citizen
  (this requirement won't apply if you are aged 60 or over)

• Do you intend to live in, or maintain a close and continuing association with Australia?

Step 2: Get an Application Kit

Apply online for Citizenship from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs website

Application kits are also available through:

• A mailout service offered by the Citizenship Information Line on 131 880

• from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA)

• Application forms are also available from selected Australia Post outlets in rural and regional areas.
  

Step 3: Fill in and lodge and Form, with your personal documents, and pay the fee

Read and fill in the form in full, and sign and date it. Some of the original documents you may need for your application are:

• your birth certificate

• the passport or travel documents you had when you came to Australia

• any other passports or travel documents you have

• evidence of your permanent residence

• proof of any changes of name

For proof of identity, you will also need a current passport sized photograph, signed by an authorised person who isn't a family member, and who has known you for at least one year. Authorised people include employees in an number of professional and other occupations. The application form will have the full detail.

If you don't have all the documents and need to complete your application form, or need any other help to finalise it, call the Citizenship Information Line on 131 800.

You can lodge the from by mail (do not include personal papers), or in person at the West Australian DIMIA office. You will need to take your personal letters with you when you attend your interview.

There is also an application fee of $120.00. There is a $20.00 concessional fee from people who receive certain social security or Veterans' Affairs pensions.

Step 4: Attend a Short interview

If you are applying for Citizenship you will need to attend a short interview, unless you are under the age of 16. If you put in your application in person, you may be interviewed then, or you might be asked to come back later for an interview. If you live outside a capital city, you may be able to have your interview at an Australia Post Office. You will need to take all your personal papers when you attend your interview.

At the interview, DIMIA staff will:

• Look over your application form and personal documents to make sure they are complete.

• Ask you about the responsibilities and privileges of Australian Citizenship and assess whether you can speak and understand basic English

• After you interview, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs will write to you about whether your application has been approved. Most applications are processed in 30 days.

Once your application has been approved, you'll be scheduled to attend a Citizenship ceremony. This may take a few months.

Step 5: find out where your Citizenship Ceremony will be and invite your family and friends

A letter from the DIMIA confirming that the City of Melville is were your citizenship ceremony will be held. Citizenship ceremonies are warm, friendly events where you celebrate becoming an Australian. You might want to invite your family and friends to be part of this important step and to celebrate your Citizenship with you.

Step 6: Go to the Ceremony, make the pledge and receive your certificate

The Citizenship will legally formalise your Citizenship and welcome you as a new Australian Citizen - you can use the certificate as legal proof of citizenship and you will also be given the opportunity to be enrolled to vote.