Apply for Australian Citizenship without the guesswork
Becoming a citizen is one of the biggest milestones of your life in Australia. Matilda's registered migration agents and immigration lawyers guide you from application to approval.
- No visas,
no fees - 4.9/5 from 80+ Google Reviews
- Experienced
immigration lawyers
Which type of Australian citizenship can Matilda help with?
Citizenship by conferral
The standard path for permanent residents who have met Australia’s residency requirements. Most Matilda clients who came through a partner or employer visa pursue this route once they’ve hit the four-year mark.
Citizenship by descent
For people born outside Australia to at least one Australian citizen parent. No residency requirement - eligibility comes from parentage. Documentation requirements are specific, and getting them right the first time matters.We’ll cut your hours of work from 100 to 20 by preparing your application for you.
Citizenship for New Zealand citizens
A dedicated conferral pathway for NZ citizens on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444). Opened up by 2023 rule changes - many NZ citizens don’t know they’re now eligible. This is a growing pathway and one where Matilda has specific experience.
Am I eligible for Australian citizenship?
Eligibility depends on your pathway. Find yours below - each card lays out the exact requirements in plain English. If you’re not sure where you stand, our free quiz takes two minutes.
Citizenship by conferral
The standard pathway for permanent residents who have met Australia’s residency requirements. You must meet a residency threshold, pass a citizenship test, and demonstrate good character.
Eligibility checklist:
- Hold a valid permanent visa (or eligible temporary visa)
- 4 years in Australia (including at least 12 months as a permanent resident immediately before applying)
- Pass the citizenship test
- Meet character requirements
- Attend a citizenship ceremony
Citizenship by descent
For people born outside Australia to at least one Australian citizen parent. No residency requirement - eligibility is based on parentage, not how long you’ve lived here. The documentation requirements are specific and must be met in full.
Eligibility checklist:
- Born outside Australia
- At least one parent was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth
- Meet identity and character requirements
- Note: if your parent was also a citizen by descent (rather than by birth or conferral), additional eligibility criteria apply - seek advice before applying
Citizenship for New Zealand citizens
Since February 2023, NZ citizens on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) can apply for Australian citizenship by conferral. Many NZ citizens don’t know this pathway is now open to them - absences from Australia can affect eligibility, and the “usual residence” calculation trips people up. Matilda can confirm where you stand.
Eligibility checklist:
- Hold a Special Category Visa (subclass 444)
- 4 years of “usual residence” in Australia (including at least 12 months immediately before applying as an SCV holder)
- Pass the citizenship test · Meet character requirements
- Attend a citizenship ceremony
Australian citizenship requirements and processing times
Conferral requirements
- Hold a permanent visa (or eligible temporary visa)
- 4 years in Australia, including 1 year as a permanent resident immediately before applying
- Pass the citizenship test
- Meet character requirements
- Attend a citizenship ceremony
Descent requirements
- Born outside Australia
- At least one parent was an Australian citizen at time of birth
- Identity and character requirements
- Note: if your parent was also a citizen by descent, additional criteria apply - seek advice
NZ citizen requirements
- Hold a Special Category Visa (subclass 444)
- 4 years of "usual residence" in Australia
- At least 12 months as an SCV holder immediately before applying
- Pass the citizenship test
- Meet character requirements
- Attend ceremony
How does Matilda compare to preparing your own citizenship application?
Let’s break down the the key differences.
  | DIY | |
|---|---|---|
Peace of mind
Peace of mind |  |  |
Applicant workload We’ll lighten your workload by taking on some of your most time-consuming tasks, including:
Applicant workload | 5 hours | 20 hours |
Clear instructions
Clear instructions | | |
| Unlimited support from a migration expert | | |
Price Matilda has affordable, flat fees with no hidden costs. We transparently share our prices on our website. Price | $2000 AUD | $0 AUD |
Post-lodgement support We’ll still be here to help you after lodgement. Expect assistance with tasks including:
Post-lodgement support | | |
Ready to secure your
initial consult?
How it works
Our process is designed by migration experts.
1. Take the eligibility quiz
A few quick questions to confirm which citizenship pathway is right for you and whether you're ready to apply now.
2. Free consult with an expert
A 20-minute, obligation-free call with a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer. Ask anything. We'll tell you exactly where you stand.
3. Your personalised task list
Once you proceed, we build a personalised task list based on your specific situation - evidence to gather, forms to sign, things we'll handle for you.
4. Upload your evidence
You provide the documents. We review everything, flag anything missing, and organise it all for the application - no guessing about what the Department actually needs.
5. Application review & lodgement
Your application goes through multiple quality checks from our team before it's lodged with the Department of Home Affairs.
6. Post-lodgement support
We track your application, help you prepare for the citizenship test, and handle anything the Department asks for while you wait.
7. Test, ceremony & citizenship
Pass your citizenship test and attend your ceremony. You're an Australian citizen. We'll get you ready for both.
Why Matilda for your citizenship application
No visa, no fee guarantee
If your citizenship application is unsuccessful, you get a refund on our service fee. We only win when you win.
Immigration lawyers on the team
Not just migration agents - actual immigration lawyers. Complex cases, previous refusals, or unusual circumstances? They've seen it.
Same-day support, unlimited consults
Once you're a client, you have direct access to your agent throughout the process. No waiting weeks for a reply to a simple question.
We do the heavy lifting
We take on the 100-hour job and hand you back a 20-hour job. Statements, evidence albums, forms, follow-ups - handled.
Transparent, flat fees
No hidden costs, no hourly billing surprises. You'll know the full fee before you commit - and it won't change midway through.
Your history is already with us
Returning clients benefit from existing file knowledge. We already understand your visa journey - you don't start from scratch.
Life changing Australian visa success stories
Mitch & Mel
“Massive thanks to Matilda for making this entire process smooth, accessible and easy. We couldn't have done it without you."
What does it cost to apply for Australian citizenship?
All prices are inclusive of GST.
FAQs about Australian citizenship
What are the eligibility requirements for Australian citizenship by conferral?
Hold a permanent visa (or eligible temp visa) · 4 years in Australia (1 as PR) · Pass the citizenship test · Meet character requirements · Attend a ceremony. Residency calculations can be tricky - our quiz confirms your eligibility before you start.
How long does the Australian citizenship application process take?
Australian citizenship processing time varies by pathway and changes regularly - the Department of Home Affairs publishes current figures on their website (homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/how-long-process-take). Applications with complete, well-organised evidence tend to move faster. The most common cause of delays is the Department requesting additional information after lodgement, which Matilda prevents through thorough evidence review before your application is submitted.
Do I need a migration agent to apply for Australian citizenship?
No - but the question is whether you should. Citizenship applications require careful evidence gathering, accurate residency calculations, and understanding which requirements apply to your specific situation. The Department doesn't grant many second chances if an application is refused on character or residency grounds. With Matilda's no-visa-no-fee guarantee, you're protected if something goes wrong.
Can New Zealand citizens apply for Australian citizenship?
Yes - since reforms introduced in February 2023, NZ citizens on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) can apply for Australian citizenship by conferral. The key threshold is 4 years of "usual residence" in Australia, with at least 12 months immediately before applying as an SCV holder. The definition of "usual residence" and how absences are counted has caught many people out - our quiz is the fastest way to check where you stand.
What is citizenship by descent and who qualifies?
Citizenship by descent applies to people born outside Australia to at least one parent who was an Australian citizen at the time of their birth. The child doesn't need to live in Australia to apply. The application is largely a documentation exercise - getting the evidence right from the start avoids delays.
How much does it cost to apply for Australian citizenship?
Australian citizenship cost involves two separate fees. The government application fee is paid directly to the Department of Home Affairs - it applies whether you use an agent or not, and current amounts are published at homeaffairs.gov.au. Matilda's service fee is flat (not hourly) and confirmed upfront before you commit. [PRICING TBC - Niamh to supply before publishing.] Our no-visa-no-fee guarantee means that if your application is unsuccessful, you receive a refund on our service fee. The government fee is non-refundable and is not covered by this guarantee.
What happens if my citizenship application is refused?
A refusal is rare when applications are well-prepared, but it can happen - usually due to character concerns, residency calculation issues, or incomplete evidence. If your application is refused and you worked with Matilda, our no-visa-no-fee guarantee applies. You'll receive a refund on our service fee. From there, we'll explain your review options, including the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
I already used Matilda for my partner or employer visa. Do I start from scratch?
No. Your agent already has your file, understands your immigration history, and won't need you to re-explain everything. For many returning clients, this saves significant time and makes the process noticeably smoother than starting with a new provider. Book a consult and we'll review where things stand.
Can Matilda help with citizenship applications for children who have lived in Australia for 10 years?
No. Matilda does not assist with citizenship matters for children who may have automatically acquired Australian citizenship after living in Australia for the first 10 years of their life. If your child may be eligible under this pathway, you can apply directly to the Department of Home Affairs for evidence of Australian citizenship.
Ready to apply for your Australian citizenship?
To get started, answer a few questions, and discover if you’re eligible to apply with Matilda.
