This part of our guide to emigrating to Australia looks at becoming an Australian citizen…

To become a formal member of Australian society you need to apply for citizenship there. If you do so and are accepted then your rights, privileges and opportunities will be equal to those who were born in the country, and you’ll no longer need to apply for visas to reside there.

To apply for it you must: be aged 18 years or over; be of good character; be a permanent resident in the country at the time of application (and have lawfully resided there for at least 2-4 years); be likely to reside in Australia for the foreseeable future. You must also pass a citizenship test, which is in English and consists of 20 multiple choice questions on various aspects (history, culture, laws, citizen responsibilities, etc.) of Australia.

Information and advice regarding methods of application, the application process and fees can be found on the website of the Department of Immigration and Culture (DIAC). Carefully read through this before downloading an application form from the website or collecting a paper version from a branch of the Australian High Commission. At $200 per application, it isn’t cheap, so be sure that you’re eligible and have all the necessary documentation before proceeding.

You could also consult with a migration agent, as they’re experienced in the citizenship application process. Failed applications won’t affect your permanent residence visa or your ability to continue living in Australia, but you won’t get your application fee refunded.

Once the application process is complete, and you’ve satisfied all of the citizenship requirements, you’ll be required to make the Pledge of Commitment. This is done at a special ceremony, which will culminate in you being presented with a Citizenship Certificate by an official from the Australian government.