When a family decides to become Australian citizens, the process for children (dependents) is slightly different from the process for adults. Many parents ask: “Does my child need to wait four years like I do?” or “Can I include my 19-year-old child on my citizenship application?”

Who is Considered a Dependent for Citizenship?

In Australian citizenship law, the rules for dependents are based almost entirely on age. There are 3 main categories:

Children aged 15 or under can be included on a parent’s application as a dependent.
Children aged 16 or 17 usually apply in their own right but are still considered minors.
Adult children aged 18 and over, even if they live with you and are financially dependent, they are treated as independent adults for citizenship. They must apply for their own and meet all adult criteria.

Do Dependents Need to Meet the Residency Requirement?

The general residency requirement for adults is usually 4 years of lawful residence in Australia, including the last 12 months as a Permanent Resident (PR).

For children aged 15 or under, the answer is generally no. Dependents do not have to meet the general residency requirement if they are applying with a parent. As long as the child is a PR and is living in Australia, they can usually be included in the parent’s application regardless of how long they have been in Australia.
For minors (aged 16 or 17) applicants are required to meet the residency requirement just like adults.
For adult children (aged 18 and above) must meet the full 4-year residency requirement.

All dependents must be PR at the time of application and at the time of citizenship grant.
Children under 18 do not have to sit the Australian citizenship test. This requirement only applies to people aged 18 to 59.
Only applicants aged 18 and over are required to meet the good character requirement. However, if a 16 or 17-year-old has a significant criminal history, the Department may take this into account.
If a child is applying with only one parent, the Department may require evidence that the other parent consents to the child becoming an Australian citizen.

What if the Parent is Already a Citizen?

If you (the parent) are already an Australian citizen and your child (under aged 18) is a PR, you can lodge a separate application for them. They will still likely be exempt from the residency requirement if they are aged 15 or under.

Requirement	15 or under	16 – 17 Years Old	18+ (Adult)
Residency Requirement	No	Usually Yes	Yes
Citizenship Test	No	No	Yes
Police Checks	No	No	Yes
Must be a PR?	Yes	Yes	Yes

Read our clients’ testimonials on Agape Henry Crux and Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, Jason Ling.

Applying for Australian citizenship for a family can involve complex paperwork. Reach out to speak with one of our immigration lawyers for professional advice and guidance. At Agape Henry Crux, our team of immigration lawyers work together with our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, who specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can book a consultation with one of our lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English and Mandarin. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.

Our founder and principal lawyer, Jason Ling, is recognised in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™ and the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™. Agape Henry Crux is named as Best Immigration Law Firm 2025 - Sydney by APAC Insider Awards.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.

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