On 1 March 2007, The Australian Parliament passed the Australian Citizenship Bill 2006, with the new legislation likely to come into effect on 1 June 2007. These changes in legislation have been put into place in order to ensure that citizenship applicants have spent a reasonable period of time living in Australia so that they are familiar with the Australian way of life, and appreciate the commitment that they are required to make to become citizens.

Here is an outline of the new requirements for Australian residents wishing to become citizens:

Applicants will need four years lawful residence in Australia immediately prior to making an application for Australian citizenship with at least 12 months as a permanent resident, and absences from Australia of no more than 12 months in total in the four years prior to application, and no more than three months in the 12 month permanent residency period prior to application.

The new residence requirements will only apply to people who become permanent residents on or after commencement of the legislation. People who are permanent residents before the commencement of the new legislation will only need to meet the current residence requirements (presence in Australia as a permanent resident for periods amounting to two years in the last five years including one year in the last two immediately prior to making the application) provided they applied within three years from the day the legislation commences.