London, Sep 11 (IANS): Spice Girls member Melanie Brown, a.k.a. Mel B, is applying for Australian citizenship for herself and her family, and wants to move permanently to Sydney.

The 37-year-old stars as a judge on the Australian version of "The X Factor" and enjoyed it so much she wants to move Down Under permanently with husband Stephen Belafonte and daughters, Phoenix, 13, Angel, five, and 12-month-old Madison.

"To get citizenship here takes quite a bit of effort but we really want to get residency," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Mel as saying.

Earlier this year, she 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.

"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," she added.

Mel, who is originally from northern England, has spent most of the last year dividing her time between Los Angeles and Sydney.