How to Complete Form 1300t: DIY Australian Citizenship Guide (Save $2000+ in Agent Fees)

The Form 1300t serves as your first crucial step toward Australian citizenship. Most applicants wait 10 to 11 months for their application to process.

You can save over $2000 by filling out this Australian citizenship application form yourself. The outcome remains exactly the same without an agent’s help. The Department of Home Affairs requires citizenship Form 1300t to start your Australian citizenship process. This applies to children and permanent residents through the conferral pathway.

Several key eligibility criteria exist. You must live in Australia as a permanent resident for at least four years. A clean character record and simple knowledge of English are also essential. The process culminates with a citizenship test and ceremony where you’ll take the Australian Citizenship Pledge.

We’ve created a complete guide to direct you through each step of the Form 1300t process. Our guide covers everything from eligibility checks to the citizenship ceremony. You’ll learn to complete your application with confidence and accuracy without an agent’s expensive fees.

Check If You’re Eligible for Form 1300t

You need to check if you meet all eligibility criteria before starting your Form 1300t application. The Australian Department of Home Affairs sets specific requirements that decide if you can apply for citizenship through the conferral pathway. Let’s get into these requirements so you can move forward with your application confidently.

Residency and visa requirements

Your eligibility for Form 1300t starts with your residency status. You must meet these requirements:

• Hold a permanent resident visa or eligible New Zealand passport
• Live in Australia for at least 4 years
• Spend at least 12 months of those 4 years as a permanent resident
• Stay within 12 months total absence from Australia during the 4-year period
• Limit absences to 90 days or less in the 12 months right before applying

The Department of Home Affairs website has a residency calculator to help you check these requirements. Note that you need to be physically present in Australia when submitting your Form 1300t application unless special circumstances apply.

Age and good character criteria

Your citizenship trip depends on your age:

• Anyone 18 or older needs to pass the citizenship test unless they qualify for exemptions
• People aged 60-75 might not need to take the test in specific cases
• Kids under 16 can join their parent’s application or apply on their own with guardian consent

A “good character” assessment is a vital part too. This means you should:

• Show police clearances from countries where you’ve lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
• Tell them about all criminal convictions, even traffic offenses
• Let them know about any links to organizations that might raise security concerns
• Stay up to date with taxes and avoid serious debts to the Australian government

The Department does full background checks, so be completely honest on your Form 1300t. You should mention even small offenses because hiding them could lead to citizenship denial or removal later.

Special rules for New Zealand citizens

New Zealand citizens have their own paths to Australian citizenship:

• Special Category Visa (SCV) holders who came before February 26, 2001 can apply for citizenship directly
• Those arriving after this date usually need to get permanent residency first
• Some SCV periods count toward the residency requirement for New Zealand citizens
• The New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (subclass 461) visa isn’t the same as permanent residency

Many New Zealanders think they automatically qualify for citizenship after living in Australia for a while. But most need to complete the standard permanent residency process first unless they meet specific exemptions.

One last thing to think about – different rules might apply if you once had Australian citizenship and gave it up or had it canceled. It’s best to check the Department’s website for specific guidance before filling out Form 1300t in these cases.

Now that you know if you qualify, your next significant step is to gather all supporting documents, which we’ll cover next.

Gather the Right Documents Before You Start

A successful Form 1300t application starts with the right documentation. The Department of Home Affairs needs specific documents to check your identity, residency status, and character. Here’s what you need to get ready.

Proof of identity and name changes

The Department needs  that show your:three original documents

• Photograph and signature
• Current residential address
• Birth name, date of birth, and gender

Australian driver’s license, passport, UN refugee document, or national identity card are valid photo IDs for applicants 18 and older. You can prove your residence with utility bills, bank notices, or rental contracts. A full birth certificate must verify your birth details.

Name changes require official proof like marriage certificates, divorce documents, or certificates from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Any documents not in English need official translations by accredited translators from the National Accreditation Authority of Translators and Interpreters.

Free Guide: Download our complimentary document checklist to help you gather all critical items for your Form 1300t submission.

Evidence of permanent residency

You can prove your permanent resident status through the  (VEVO) system. Print or email your status details directly. This electronic record of your permanent visa helps when you claim Medicare benefits, look for jobs, or apply for a foreign passport.Visa Entitlement Verification Online

Foreign embassies or consulates might ask for your visa status. Simply run a VEVO check and email your visa status from the system. People who arrived in Australia before 1990 might not have an electronic visa record and need extra forms.

Police checks and character documents

The Department expects applicants 18 and over to show “good character” – the “enduring moral qualities of a person”. They work with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to run a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check during your assessment.

You need overseas penal clearance certificates if you:

• Lived or traveled outside Australia after turning 18
• Had a permanent visa during that time
• Spent over 12 months total outside Australia
• Stayed 90 days or more in any single country

New Zealand citizens with Special Category Visas need overseas penal clearances from countries where they spent 90 days or more since turning 18.

Form 1195 and passport photo

Citizenship by conferral applications don’t need Form 1195 (Identity Declaration), but you must submit a passport-sized photograph. Your photo should be:

• Less than 6 months old
• Show your full face, head and shoulders
• Be in color with a light background
• Be unedited (keep background elements, moles, and red eye)

Professional passport photograph providers like Australia Post take the best photos. Online services or mobile apps might not meet quality standards and could risk identity fraud.

Your passport photos should measure 35mm to 40mm wide and 45mm to 50mm high. The face should be 32mm to 36mm from chin to crown. You can wear religious head coverings made of plain material without patterns, but your entire face must be visible.

How to Fill Out the Form 1300t Correctly

Getting your Australian citizenship application right means you need to fill out Form 1300t without any mistakes. Let me help you complete each section properly the first time around.

Where to download the latest form

The Australian Department of Home Affairs wants you to . You can also get the latest Form 1300t directly from the Department’s official website. Online applications move faster through the system and help you keep track of your progress. Make sure you check the form’s design date before downloading to get the current version.apply online through ImmiAccount

Filling in personal and travel history

Your Form 1300t has multiple sections. Part A needs your personal information and proof that you meet residence requirements. Here’s what you need to do with your application:

• Write everything in English (type it or use BLOCK LETTERS for handwritten forms)
• Skip using liquid paper if you make mistakes
• Let the Department know if you move during processing
• Give a full picture of who you are, your immigration story, travel records, and where you’ve lived in Australia

Part F requires details of your overseas travel for the past 10 years. Double-check all your entry and exit dates because any mistakes might lead to extra checks.

Free Guide: Get our detailed Form 1300t walkthrough to make sure you complete every section properly and avoid common mistakes that slow down applications.

Declaring character and legal issues

Anyone 18 or older must pass a . You need to tell us about:good character assessment

1. Every conviction in Australia or overseas (no matter how small)
2. Criminal charges that led to guilty verdicts with jail time, fines, or good behavior bonds
3. Times when your visa was canceled or refused

Note that speeding tickets aren’t convictions, but you should still mention them. Your honesty matters—giving false information can get your application rejected.

Adding children to your application

You can add kids under 16 to your form without paying extra. Here’s what you should know about including children:

• Put them on just one parent’s form if both parents want citizenship
• Check they have permanent residency when you apply and when we decide
• Show proof that you’re their responsible parent if we ask
• Confirm they live with you (policy usually requires this)

Kids between 16 and 17 need their own application using Form 1290 (Application for Australian citizenship – Other situations).

Submit Your Application Without an Agent

Your documents are ready and you’ve completed Form 1300t. Now you can submit your application without spending thousands on an agent’s help. The Department of Home Affairs has made the process efficient so you can apply on your own.

Using ImmiAccount for online submission

to submit your citizenship application. You’ll need to:ImmiAccount is the Department’s preferred method

1. Create a new ImmiAccount or log in to your existing one
2. Select “New Application” and choose “Citizenship”
3. Complete all sections accurately and match details with your supporting documents
4. Take a final look at your application before submission

ImmiAccount online submissions get processed faster than paper applications. You can save unfinished applications and come back to them later, which makes things easier.

Uploading certified documents

Here’s what you need to know about uploading documents to ImmiAccount:

• Each identity document must be under 500KB while other documents can go up to 5MB
• You can use PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC, and several other formats
• Each person can attach up to 60 documents

Paper documents need certification. The certifier should write “This is a certified true copy of the original as sighted by me” on single-page documents. For multi-page documents, they need to note the total pages. They must add their signature, full name, occupation, phone number, and date.

Paying the correct application fee

The as of July 2025. You can get a concession fee of AUD 122.32 if you have a valid Pensioner Concession Card. Children under 16 don’t pay fees when applying on their parent’s form.standard fee for Form 1300t is AUD 879.17

You can pay using:

• Credit/debit cards (1.40% surcharge)
• PayPal (1.01% surcharge)
• UnionPay (1.90% surcharge)

Tracking your application status

You can check your application’s progress through ImmiAccount. The system shows different status updates:

• “Received” shows your application is within normal processing times
• “Initial assessment” means active review is happening
• “Further assessment” indicates they’re reviewing additional information
• “Finalized” means they’ve made a decision

The Department sends all messages about your application to your ImmiAccount. This includes requests for more information or decision notifications. You can also update your details or let them know about any changes in your circumstances.

Prepare for the Test, Interview, and Ceremony

Your journey toward Australian citizenship continues with three final steps after submitting Form 1300t application. Success depends on thorough preparation during this crucial phase.

What’s in the citizenship test

The citizenship test features  exclusively in English. You need to answer all five Australian values questions correctly and score at least 75% overall to succeed. The test evaluates:20 multiple-choice questions

• Simple English language knowledge
• Understanding of becoming an Australian citizen
• Knowledge of Australia and citizenship responsibilities
• Steadfast dedication to Australian values based on freedom, respect, and equality

How to study using official resources

The Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond resource booklet comes in English and 40 community languages. Your preparation can benefit from these valuable resources:

• Free practice tests on the Department’s website
• The Our Common Bond podcast
• AMEPOnline citizenship modules for English learners

Free Guide: Our citizenship test study schedule and practice questions will boost your confidence before test day.

What happens at the interview

You’ll need a photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or proof of age card) to verify your identity. Your details will be confirmed and your application discussed during the interview. Support persons or family members can join you, and interpreter services are available when needed.

Attending the citizenship ceremony

The ceremony invitation will arrive  the event. This formal occasion requires you to make the Australian citizenship pledge—your final legal step. The ceremony typically takes two hours. Remember to dress appropriately and bring photo identification. Your citizenship certificate and voter registration await you after the ceremony.approximately four weeks before

Conclusion

You can save thousands of dollars by handling the Australian citizenship process yourself. The outcome will be the same as using an expensive migration agent. This piece shows you how to complete Form 1300t step by step.

A quick eligibility check will ensure you meet all residency requirements before you spend time on the application. It also helps to collect all supporting documents like identity verification and police clearances that are the foundations of your submission.

The form needs close attention, particularly sections about travel history and character information. Being truthful is crucial since any misleading details could lead to your application being refused.

Using ImmiAccount to submit your application works better than paper forms. You’ll get faster processing and can track your progress easily. Official study resources are a great way to get ready for the test and boost your chances of passing.

Your citizenship trip will conclude with the ceremony. This meaningful celebration is where you’ll take the Australian Citizenship Pledge and become an official Australian citizen. After 10-11 months of waiting and preparing, you’ll gain lifelong rights and opportunities.

Note that thousands complete this process without agents every year. Of course, you have everything you need to join them as a proud Australian citizen. Handling this important milestone yourself makes your citizenship achievement even more meaningful.

Key Takeaways

Master the DIY Australian citizenship process and save over $2000 in agent fees while achieving the same successful outcome through proper preparation and attention to detail.

• Verify eligibility first: Ensure you’ve lived in Australia as a permanent resident for 4+ years with no more than 12 months total absence before starting Form 1300t.
• Gather documents early: Collect identity proof, police clearances from all countries lived in 12+ months, and certified translations before beginning your application.
• Submit online through ImmiAccount: Use the Department’s preferred digital platform for faster processing, better tracking, and easier document uploads compared to paper applications.
• Prepare thoroughly for the citizenship test: Study the official “Our Common Bond” booklet and take practice tests to pass all 5 Australian values questions plus achieve 75% overall.
• Be completely honest throughout: Declare all criminal history, travel dates, and personal details accurately—false information can result in application refusal or citizenship revocation.

The entire process typically takes 10-11 months from application to ceremony, but proper preparation and following official guidelines ensures you can navigate this important milestone independently with confidence.

FAQs

Q1. What is Form 1300t and who needs to complete it?
Form 1300t is the Application for Australian Citizenship form used by permanent residents seeking to become Australian citizens through the conferral pathway. It’s also used for children’s citizenship applications.

Q2. What are the main eligibility requirements for Australian citizenship?
To be eligible, you must have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least 4 years, with no more than 12 months total absence. You also need to demonstrate good character and basic English language skills.

Q3. What supporting documents are required when submitting Form 1300t?
Key documents include proof of identity, evidence of permanent residency, police clearances, and a passport-sized photograph. All non-English documents must be accompanied by certified translations.

Q4. How can I prepare for the Australian citizenship test?
Study the “Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond” booklet, available in multiple languages. Take practice tests on the Department’s website and consider using the AMEP Online citizenship modules if you’re an English learner.

Q5. What happens at the citizenship ceremony?
The ceremony is the final step in becoming an Australian citizen. You’ll make the Australian Citizenship Pledge, receive your citizenship certificate, and have the opportunity to register to vote. The event typically lasts about two hours.