Question: how long do you need to be in australia to apply for residency?
Answer: At the time you apply you must have been: living in Australia on a valid visa for the past 4 years. a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen for the past 12 months. away from Australia for no more than 12 months in total in the past 4 years, including no more than 90 days in total in the past 12 months.