Mel - originally from Northern England - has spent most of the last year dividing her time between Los Angeles and Sydney, but now wants a permanent base in Australia.

She said: "To get citizenship here takes quite a bit of effort but we really want to get residency."

Earlier this year, the 37-year-old singer rented a house in Sydney's eastern suburbs and was reportedly looking for a place to buy, as well as having enrolled Phoenix in a local school.

Speaking at the time, she said: "We've set up shop here. We are all really happy and settled.

"Hopefully they [Australians] are going to want me here for a long time."

As well as appearing on 'X Factor Australia' Mel is also tipped to return as the host on the local version of 'Dancing With the Stars'.