The Australian Citizenship Test has no separate fee and is included in the Citizenship Application Charge (Form 1300t) paid via ImmiAccount to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). This total fee covers processing, assessment, and administrative costs, ensuring applicants aren’t billed twice for the test. Submitting Form 1300t accurately is critical to avoid delays in your citizenship journey.
The citizenship application payment is a one-time charge that incorporates all stages of the process, including the test. While the test itself is free, the Citizenship Application Charge (currently $540 AUD for most adults) is mandatory and non-refundable. Payment through ImmiAccount guarantees secure processing and official tracking by the DHA.
2025 Citizenship Fee Breakdown by Application Type
The cost of Australian citizenship varies based on the application type. Below is an overview of the fees effective from 1 July 2024:
Australian Citizenship by Conferral
Form 1300t (General Eligibility) Fees
- Standard Fee: $560 AUD
- Concession Fee: $80 AUD (for Pensioner Concession Card holders and dependents)
Exemptions from Fee Payment:
- Children under 16 included in a parent’s application.
- British/Maltese former child migrants (under the Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme).
- Australian Defence Force (ADF) members (with 90+ days of service).
- Stateless persons (covered under Section 21(8) of the Citizenship Act).
Form 1290 (Alternative Citizenship Eligibility Cases) Fees
- Standard Fee: $345 AUD
- Concession Fee: $40 AUD (for eligible applicants).
Australian Citizenship by Descent (Form 118)
- First Sibling: $360 AUD
- Subsequent Siblings (when applied together): $150 AUD per sibling
Special Citizenship Applications & Fees
Form 1272 (Adoption Cases)
- First Sibling: $360 AUD
- Subsequent Siblings (when applied together): $150 AUD per sibling
Form 128 (Renunciation of Citizenship)
- Standard Fee: $300 AUD
Form 132 (Resumption of Citizenship)
- Standard Fee: $240 AUD
- Children under 16: Exempt from fee
Form 119 (Evidence of Australian Citizenship)
- Standard Fee: $275 AUD
- Free replacement for citizenship certificates damaged due to natural disasters
| Application Type | Form Number | Standard Fee | Concession Fee | Notes |
| Australian Citizenship by Conferral (General Eligibility) | 1300t | $560 AUD | $80 AUD | Children under 16 applying with a parent are exempt from fees. |
| Australian Citizenship by Conferral (Other Situations) | 1290 | $345 AUD | $40 AUD | Children under 16 applying with a parent are exempt from fees. |
| Australian Citizenship by Descent | 118 | $360 AUD | N/A | Subsequent siblings applying together: $150 AUD per sibling. |
| Adoption Cases | 1272 | $360 AUD | N/A | Subsequent siblings applying together: $150 AUD per sibling. |
| Renunciation of Citizenship | 128 | $300 AUD | N/A | |
| Resumption of Citizenship | 132 | $240 AUD | N/A | Children under 16 applying with a parent are exempt from fees. |
| Evidence of Australian Citizenship | 119 | $275 AUD | N/A | Free replacement for certificates damaged due to natural disasters. |
Fee Concessions & Exemptions
Applicants for Australian citizenship may be eligible for reduced fees or exemptions based on specific criteria.
Who Qualifies for Reduced Fees?
Pensioner Concession Card Holders
- Requirement: Submit a certified copy of both sides of a valid Pensioner Concession Card issued by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
- Eligibility Verified By: Department of Home Affairs (DHA), Centrelink, Services Australia.
Dependents of Pensioner Concession Card Holders
- Requirement: Must be listed as a dependent on a parent’s valid Pensioner Concession Card.
- Eligibility Verified By: DHA, Centrelink, Services Australia.
Note: Health Care Cards, Student Cards, or Senior Health Cards are not eligible for the concession fee.
Who Qualifies for Fee Exemptions?
- Children under 16: Applying on the same form as a responsible parent.
- British and Maltese former child migrants: Who came to Australia without their parents between 22 September 1947 and 31 December 1967 under the Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme. A letter from the Child Migrants Trust confirming details of arrival and sponsorship must be lodged with the application.
- Australian Defence Force (ADF) members: Who have served for at least 90 days in the permanent forces of the Commonwealth of Australia. A letter or discharge papers from the ADF specifying service dates must be lodged with the application.
- Stateless persons: Applying under the Statelessness provision (section 21(8) of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007).
Full Exemptions from Citizenship Application Fees
Some applicants don’t have to pay the Australian citizenship application fees because of their unique situations. Here are the groups that qualify for these fee waivers:
British/Maltese Child Migrants (Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme)
- Requirement: Provide a letter from the Child Migrants Trust confirming eligibility under the Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme.
- Eligibility Verified By: Department of Home Affairs (DHA), Child Migrants Trust, National Archives of Australia.
Australian Defence Force (ADF) Members
- Requirement: Submit service records or discharge papers showing at least 90 days of service in the ADF.
- Eligibility Verified By: DHA, Department of Defence, ADF Records Office.
Stateless Persons (Section 21(8) of the Citizenship Act 2007)
- Requirement: Apply under Section 21(8) of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007, proving stateless status.
- Eligibility Verified By: DHA, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Refugee Council of Australia.
Payment Methods & Refunds
When applying for Australian citizenship, it’s essential to understand the available payment methods and the refund policy.
Accepted Payment Options
For Online Applications (Form 1300t via ImmiAccount)
Payment Methods:
- Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club.
- PayPal: Linked to a valid bank account or card.
- UnionPay: For applicants using Chinese banking systems.
- Where to Pay: Through the ImmiAccount portal, the official payment system of the Department of Home Affairs.
For Paper Applications (Form 1290 via Mail Submission)
- Payment Methods:
- Bank Transfer: Direct deposit to the Department of Home Affairs account.
- BPAY: Using Australian financial institutions – Biller Code: 75556.
- Money Order or Bank Cheque: Made payable to the Department of Home Affairs.
- Where to Pay: Include payment details or receipts when mailing your application.
Refund Policy
Generally, citizenship application fees are non-refundable, even if your application is refused or withdrawn. However, refunds may be considered in specific situations, such as:
- Overpayment or duplicate payment of the application fee.
- Departmental errors during the processing of your application.
- Death of the applicant before a decision is made.
To apply for a refund, you need to complete a Refund Request Form (Form 1424) and provide necessary supporting documents. The Department of Home Affairs will review your request and determine eligibility based on the provided information.
Non-Refundable Fees
When applying for Australian citizenship, it’s crucial to know that the application fees are non-refundable, even in the following situations:
- Application Withdrawal: If you decide to cancel your application after submitting it, you won’t get your money back.
- Eligibility Failure: If you apply but don’t meet the citizenship requirements, the fee you paid won’t be returned.
- Test Failure: Failing the citizenship test, even multiple times, doesn’t qualify you for a refund.
- Processing Delays: If your application takes longer than expected but is still being processed, you won’t receive a refund.
These policies are set by the Department of Home Affairs and are part of the terms you agree to when applying through ImmiAccount. Understanding these rules helps you know what to expect during the citizenship application process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is submitting incomplete applications. Always provide all required documents through ImmiAccount to avoid rejection. Missing the online submission deadline (before 30 June, 2 pm AEST) can lead to higher fees, as charges update every year.
Using postal applications can cause delays, especially near deadlines. Instead, apply online via ImmiAccount to secure your fee lock-in and ensure faster processing. The DHA prefers online submissions, as they are more secure and easier to manage.
FAQs
What if I apply at 11:59 pm on June 30?
For online applications, the fee applicable is determined by the exact time of submission. If you submit your application at or after 12:00 am (AEST) on July 1, 2024, the new fees will apply. Therefore, submitting at 11:59 pm on June 30 means the current fees before the increase would apply.
Can I appeal if my paper application is delayed?
The fee applicable to paper applications is based on the date the Department receives the application, not the date it was posted. If your application arrives after a fee increase has taken effect, you will be required to pay the new fee. Unfortunately, delays in postal delivery do not typically provide grounds for appeal regarding the fee applied.
Is the $560 fee per family?
No, the $560 fee is the standard charge for an individual applying for Australian citizenship by conferral under general eligibility (Form 1300t). However, children under 16 years of age who are included in a parent’s application are exempt from this fee. Each adult applicant must pay the applicable fee.