Australian Citizenship Test for Seniors: What Applicants Over 60 Need to Know

If you are applying for Australian citizenship and you are 60 or older, the citizenship test works differently for you. You are exempt from sitting it, and the English language requirement does not apply to your application either.

The age 60 exemption

Under the Australian Citizenship Act, applicants who are 60 years of age or older at the time they lodge their application are not required to sit the citizenship test. This exemption is automatic. You do not need to request it separately or provide evidence to trigger it.

The exemption applies based on your age on the date your application is submitted through ImmiAccount, not when it is assessed or approved. If you are 59 when you apply and turn 60 while waiting, the exemption does not apply retroactively.

The English language exemption

The same age threshold also exempts applicants from the English language requirement. Other adult applicants generally need to demonstrate a basic level of English as part of the citizenship process. For applicants aged 60 and over, this requirement does not apply.

What seniors still need to do

The exemptions only cover the test and the English language requirement. The rest of the citizenship process still applies. You still need to:

• Meet the residence requirement, which generally means 4 years of lawful residence in Australia with at least 1 year as a permanent resident immediately before applying
• Be of good character
• Receive approval for your application
• Attend a citizenship ceremony
• Make the Australian Citizenship Pledge at the ceremony

The ceremony is the final step. It is usually arranged through your local council and happens after your application is approved. You cannot become a citizen without attending.

What about applicants with a permanent disability or serious illness?

There is a separate exemption for applicants who cannot sit the test due to a permanent physical or mental incapacity. This is different from the age exemption and requires supporting documentation from a medical professional. It does not come with the automatic language exemption that the age 60 rule provides.

If you are under 60 and believe you qualify on health grounds, contact the Department of Home Affairs directly to understand what is required.

If you are close to 60 when applying

If your 60th birthday is within the next few months, it is worth considering whether to wait. Lodging the application after you turn 60 means the exemptions apply from the start and simplifies your application considerably. There is no official advice telling you to do this, so weigh it against your personal timeline.

Preparing for the ceremony

Even without a test to sit, understanding the pledge you will make at the ceremony and knowing what Australian citizenship means is worth some time. The Our Common Bond study guide covers Australian values, history, and the citizenship pledge. You can read the PDF on the Study Guide page or listen through the material with the audio lessons, which are a lower-effort way to take it in.

The pledge itself is short, but hearing it in context makes the ceremony feel more meaningful.