The Australian citizenship by conferral application fee is $490 for adults and $245 for children under 18 as of 2026. Some applicants — including refugees, stateless persons, and those in financial hardship — may qualify for a fee exemption or reduction. The application is lodged online through ImmiAccount.
The Australian citizenship application fee for adults is $490 AUD, and for children under 18 it is $245 AUD, as of the 2025–26 financial year. These fees are paid when you submit your application online through ImmiAccount and are non-refundable once your application has been assessed — even if it is refused.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, fees are reviewed periodically and may change each financial year. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website for the current fee schedule before applying.
Current Fee Schedule (2025–26)
| Applicant Type | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Adult (18 and over) | $490 |
| Child under 18 (included in adult application) | $245 |
| Child under 18 (applying alone, no parent applying) | $245 |
| Fee exempt applicants (see below) | $0 |
Who Is Exempt From the Citizenship Application Fee?
Certain applicants are eligible for a full fee exemption. According to the Department of Home Affairs, you may not need to pay the application fee if you:
- Hold a permanent humanitarian visa (including refugees who were granted asylum in Australia)
- Are a stateless person born in Australia or born to an Australian citizen parent
- Are a child born in Australia who would otherwise be stateless
- Are currently receiving an eligible Centrelink income support payment (such as JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, or Disability Support Pension)
- Hold a Special Benefit payment from Services Australia
If you believe you qualify for a fee exemption, select the appropriate option when submitting your application in ImmiAccount. You will be asked to provide evidence of your eligibility, such as a Centrelink payment confirmation or your humanitarian visa details.
Fee Reductions and Waivers for Financial Hardship
The Department of Home Affairs does not currently offer a general financial hardship waiver for citizenship applications — unlike some other visa types. However, if you are receiving an income support payment from Centrelink, you may qualify for the full fee exemption described above, which achieves the same outcome.
If your circumstances change between applying and your application being finalised (for example, if you lose your income support payment), the fee structure at the time of lodgement generally applies.
Additional Costs to Budget For
The application fee is not the only cost involved in the citizenship process. Plan for the following additional expenses:
Identity Documents
You will need to provide certified copies of identity documents — passport, birth certificate, and proof of residence. Certified copies can be prepared by a Justice of the Peace (free), a registered migration agent, or a lawyer. If your documents are not in English, you will need a certified translation — typically $80–$150 per document from an accredited NAATI translator.
Photographs
Citizenship applications require passport-quality photographs — usually around $15–$25 from a pharmacy or post office photo service.
Police Clearances
If you have lived outside Australia for 12 months or more in the past 10 years, you may need to provide an overseas police clearance. Costs vary by country — Australian Federal Police checks cost $42 online via the AFP website.
Travel to and from the Test Centre
The citizenship test is conducted at an Australian Border Force–approved test centre. Depending on your location, you may need to factor in travel costs, particularly if the nearest centre is in a major city.
Citizenship Ceremony
Attending the citizenship ceremony is free. Ceremonies are typically hosted by your local council and usually occur within a few months of your application being approved.
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Practice for FreeHow to Pay the Application Fee
Payment is made online through ImmiAccount when you submit your application. Accepted payment methods include:
- Visa or Mastercard (credit or debit)
- American Express
- UnionPay
You will receive an email confirmation once payment is processed. Keep this confirmation as proof of payment. The application will not be assessed until payment is confirmed.
Is the Fee Refundable if My Application Is Refused?
No. The citizenship application fee is non-refundable in almost all circumstances. According to the Department of Home Affairs, fees are only refunded in very limited situations — for example, if you withdraw your application before it has been assessed and before the citizenship test has been taken.
This is why it is important to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements before lodging your application, and to use the Study Guide and practice tests to maximise your chances of passing the citizenship test on the first attempt.
Total Cost Estimate for a Family of Four
For a family with two adults and two children under 18 applying together:
- Adult fees: 2 × $490 = $980
- Child fees: 2 × $245 = $490
- Document translation (if applicable): $0–$300
- Photographs: $60–$100
- Total estimate: $1,530–$1,870
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay the citizenship fee in instalments?
No. The full fee must be paid in a single payment at the time of lodgement via ImmiAccount. There is no instalment option. If you cannot afford the full fee, check whether you qualify for a fee exemption through Centrelink income support or humanitarian visa status.
Do I have to pay the fee again if I fail the citizenship test?
No. If you fail the citizenship test, your application remains active. You can rebook and sit the test again without paying a new application fee. There is no additional charge for re-sitting the test.
Is there a fee for the citizenship ceremony?
No. The citizenship ceremony is free. It is typically hosted by your local council as part of a group ceremony. Individual ceremonies may sometimes be arranged for special circumstances — contact your local council for details.
What happens to the fee if I withdraw my application?
If you withdraw your application before it has been assessed (and before sitting the citizenship test), you may be entitled to a partial refund. Once the application has been assessed or the test has been taken, the fee is generally not refunded. Contact the Department of Home Affairs directly if you need to withdraw.
Are New Zealand citizens exempt from the citizenship fee?
No. New Zealand citizens applying for Australian citizenship by conferral pay the same fees as other applicants — $490 for adults and $245 for children. Fee exemptions based on humanitarian visa status or Centrelink income support payments apply to New Zealand citizens on the same basis as other applicants.