What Are the Character Criteria for Australian Citizenship
When you apply for Australian citizenship, you don’t just meet age and residence rules. You also have to show you’re of “good character.” That means your criminal history, honesty with the Department, and even past visa issues can all count for or against you. Some offences almost guarantee refusal, while others depend on how you’ve changed since. Understanding where you stand before you apply can make all the difference…
What “Good Character” Means for Australian Citizenship
Authorities examine whether a person is likely to comply with Australian laws, respect democratic institutions, and genuinely uphold the values reflected in the citizenship pledge.
The focus is not limited to a single incident or short-term behaviour. Rather, it considers patterns over time, including honesty, associations, and adherence to legal responsibilities.
Applicants must provide complete and accurate disclosures regarding any criminal charges, convictions, or offences, including those committed overseas.
Supporting materials such as police clearances, court documents, sentencing records, and parole histories may all form part of the evaluation. The seriousness of any offence, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation are carefully weighed.
Because this assessment is holistic, even minor issues can raise questions if not properly explained. Working with a professional Australia immigration lawyer who understands local immigration procedures and how the Department of Home Affairs interprets character requirements can make a meaningful difference.
Clear documentation, consistent disclosures, and well-prepared submissions help ensure that an applicant’s overall record aligns with the responsibilities and expectations tied to Australian
When applying for citizenship, the concept of “good character” lacks a strict statutory definition. Instead, decision-makers rely on its ordinary meaning and assess an applicant’s long-term moral conduct and overall integrity.
Who Must Meet the Citizenship Good Character Test?
The citizenship good character test applies to most applicants aged 18 years or over, including those applying for Australian citizenship by conferral.
The Department of Home Affairs assesses your character at the time it makes a decision on your application, so conduct and events that occur after you lodge your application can still affect the outcome.
You are required to disclose all criminal charges and convictions from any country, not only Australia.
In many cases, you'll also be asked to provide police or penal clearances from relevant jurisdictions.
Certain circumstances can lead to an automatic refusal, such as significant or repeated custodial sentences within specified timeframes, being currently on parole, or being subject to an undischarged good‑behaviour bond.
Character expectations don't end once citizenship is granted.
Australian citizens are still subject to character considerations under other laws, and serious criminal conduct after citizenship may have legal consequences, including potential cessation of citizenship in limited, prescribed circumstances.
How Your Criminal Record Affects Citizenship
Having a criminal record can make the process of obtaining Australian citizenship more complex, but it doesn't automatically prevent you from becoming a citizen.
You're required to disclose all convictions and any charges that are still pending.
Failing to provide this information may be considered dishonesty and may result in the refusal of your application.
Under current law, your application must be refused if you have served a custodial sentence of 12 months or more within the last two years, or if you have served more than one such sentence within the last ten years.
Your application also must be refused while you're on parole or subject to an undischarged good‑behaviour bond.
If these mandatory refusal criteria don't apply, the Department will consider your circumstances on an individual basis.
This includes examining the nature and seriousness of the offences, evidence of rehabilitation, the time that has passed since the offending, and any ongoing risk to the community.
Decisions are made under the character and citizenship provisions of the law, using the available evidence and relevant policy guidelines.
How Police Checks and Overseas Clearances Work
Before a citizenship application is approved, the Department assesses an applicant’s criminal history in Australia and overseas to determine whether they meet the relevant character requirements.
In Australia, this may involve requesting an Australian National Police Check through the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) National Police Checking Service, which compiles information from the Australian Federal Police and state and territory police agencies. By signing the citizenship application, applicants generally consent to the Department accessing police, court, and traffic records as permitted by law.
Applicants who've spent a total of 12 months or more outside Australia since turning 18 are usually required to provide police certificates from each country where they've stayed for 90 days or longer. These certificates help the Department assess any overseas criminal history.
If an applicant believes a police check contains incorrect or incomplete information, they may seek to have the record reviewed or corrected through the relevant police or issuing authority, and provide updated evidence to the Department where appropriate.
Offences That Almost Always Fail the Good Character Test
The outcome of police checks is particularly important where the law treats certain conduct as effectively disqualifying for citizenship.
If you have served a custodial sentence of 12 months or more within the previous 2 years, the Department is required to refuse your application. If you have received more than one 12‑month sentence, you'll generally face mandatory refusal for 10 years from the date of the most recent sentence.
Involvement in war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, torture, slavery, people‑smuggling, human trafficking, or organised child sexual offences will almost always result in a finding that you don't meet the good character requirement.
Being on parole, subject to an undischarged bond, assessed as a security risk, or having serious criminal associations will, in most cases, also lead to refusal.
How Minor Offences and Traffic Matters Are Treated
When assessing minor offences and traffic matters, decision‑makers consider both the nature of each incident and what it may indicate about your overall conduct.
You're required to disclose all relevant issues, including fines, warnings, court appearances, good behaviour bonds, and licence suspensions, as these will typically appear in police and background checks.
Single or occasional low‑level traffic infringements are generally viewed as less serious than offences involving violence, sexual misconduct, or other significant criminal behaviour, unless the traffic issues are frequent or form a consistent pattern.
In most cases, routine fines or short non‑custodial penalties don't meet the 12‑month custodial sentence threshold that results in automatic refusal of citizenship.
However, non‑disclosure or incomplete disclosure of offences can raise concerns about your honesty and reliability.
Decision‑makers may treat a failure to declare relevant matters more seriously than the underlying offence itself, as it can suggest a lack of integrity or willingness to comply with legal obligations.
Non-Criminal Factors That Can Help (or Hurt) Your Character
Decision‑makers consider a range of non‑criminal factors when assessing character.
Evidence of stable employment, consistent tax compliance, and the ability to meet financial commitments can indicate that you respect Australian laws and meet your responsibilities. These claims are usually supported with documents such as Australian Taxation Office (ATO) records, payslips, employment contracts, or bank statements.
Participation in community activities, such as volunteering, involvement in cultural or religious organisations, or assisting with local clubs and committees, may demonstrate social integration and a willingness to contribute to the community.
A stable family situation, long‑term residence in Australia, and engagement in your children’s schooling and activities can also be relevant, as they can show established ties and a commitment to remaining law‑abiding.
However, some non‑criminal factors can negatively affect a character assessment.
Close association with individuals or groups known to be involved in criminal activity, even where you haven't been charged yourself, may raise concerns. Involvement in serious civil matters, such as apprehended violence orders (AVOs) or family violence intervention orders, can also be treated unfavourably, as they may suggest a risk to the community or to specific individuals.
Honesty, Disclosure, and Past Visa History in Character Checks
Character checks extend beyond criminal history to include your honesty and prior interactions with Australia’s immigration system.
You're required to accurately declare all charges, convictions, and overseas offences, even if they were dismissed by a court or appear minor.
By signing the form, you authorise the Department to access AFP and state police records, immigration files, warrants, and court outcomes.
The Department may also review your visa history, incoming and outgoing passenger cards, and relevant ATO or Centrelink records to assess whether you have been truthful and compliant.
A past record, including disclosed issues, doesn't automatically result in refusal. decision-makers may take into account the nature of the conduct, evidence of rehabilitation, and the passage of time.
What If You Fail the Citizenship Good Character Test?
If the Department decides you don't meet the good character requirement, your citizenship application will be refused.
In some circumstances, the Minister is required by law to refuse the application and has no discretion. This usually occurs if you're serving, or have recently served, a significant term of imprisonment, been on parole, or been subject to a good behaviour bond.
Before making an adverse decision, the Department will usually issue an Invitation to Comment. This gives you a set timeframe to respond, explain your circumstances, and provide supporting evidence. It's important to respond within the deadline, as late or incomplete responses may not be considered.
Some refusal decisions can be reviewed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), allowing you to challenge the decision. However, where the refusal is an automatic statutory consequence of certain criminal or custodial histories, review rights are often limited or unavailable.
Failing to disclose relevant information, or providing misleading or inconsistent information, can itself be treated as evidence of not being of good character. All information provided should therefore be accurate, complete, and consistent with any previous records.
Steps to Strengthen Your Character Case Before You Apply
Before lodging a citizenship application, there are several practical steps that can help present your character in a clearer and more favourable light to the Department.
Obtain police clearance certificates for each country where you have spent 90 days or more since turning 18, as well as any additional countries requested by the Department of Home Affairs.
If any certificates aren't in English, arrange certified translations.
Provide full disclosure of all relevant matters, including any charges, convictions, bonds, or pending proceedings.
Omitting information can be treated as a negative factor in assessing your credibility and honesty.
If you have a criminal history, consider the timing of your application.
In some cases, it may be advisable to wait until any applicable automatic-refusal or high-risk periods have passed.
In the meantime, compile evidence that demonstrates rehabilitation, such as completion of offence-related programs, stable employment history, and an absence of further offending.
Collect supporting documentation that reflects your overall conduct and integration into the community.
This may include character references, employment records, tax and Centrelink records, community involvement letters, and relevant court documents.
Where there are complicating factors, such as a criminal record, prior visa cancellations, or other character concerns, seek early, specialised immigration legal advice so that the evidence you provide and the timing of your application are tailored to your circumstances and the current legal framework.
Conclusion
When you apply for Australian citizenship, you don’t just tick boxes. You show who you are. If you’ve had trouble in the past, you can still take control by being honest, proactive, and well‑prepared. You show good character through your record, your behavior, and your willingness to take responsibility. Before you lodge your application, review your history, get advice if needed, gather strong evidence, and give yourself the best chance to be accepted as an Australian citizen.
