The government looks at criminal history over the past 10 years or since age 16, according to the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship website. Permanent visa applicants undergo health exams including chest x-ray and HIV/AIDS screening and must disclose medical history.
An applicant must have four years of legal residency, according to the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship website, and at least a year of permanent residency. Trips out of the country cannot have lasted more than 12 months in the previous four years, or more than 90 days in the year before application.
Applicants take a test covering Australia's democracy, law and government and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. If they pass, they take the Pledge of Commitment at a citizenship ceremony, often on Australia Day, says the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.
Depending on the circumstances, people born abroad of Australian parents may be granted citizenship by descent. Australians who have given up their citizenship may apply to have it restored by resumption.
In 2008 and 2009, more than 100,000 people became Australian citizens by conferral, descent and resumption, according to the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.
