Australian Immigration Daily News

The Australian Citizenship (Special Residence Requirement) Amendment (Measures No. 1) Instrument 2026 introduces targeted amendments to the Special Residence Requirement (SRR) framework under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007.

The primary purpose of the instrument is to expand the categories of work that may be recognised for the purposes of satisfying the SRR, which applies in limited circumstances where applicants are unable to meet the general residence requirements due to extended or frequent absences from Australia.

The amendments include:

• Extending recognised research and development work to include PhD-qualified academics employed by Australian universities, where the work is of benefit to Australia; and

• Introducing a new category covering the work of ministers of religion in senior leadership positions within religious organisations.

These changes acknowledge that certain professions require regular international travel and are intended to ensure that eligible applicants are not disadvantaged in meeting citizenship residence requirements where they maintain a strong and ongoing connection to Australia.

The instrument also makes minor technical and drafting updates to the existing framework.

Overall, the amendments broaden access to the SRR pathway while maintaining its application to specific and exceptional circumstances.

Source: Australian-Citizenship-Special-Residence-Requirement-Amendment-Measures-No-1-Instrument-2026.pdf  and

Australian-Citizenship-Special-Residence-Requirement-Amendment-Measures-No-1-Instrument-2026----Explanatory-Statement.pdf