leanie

Regional can be very slow especially WA. I applied late June 2016, finally got my ceremony 2 weeks ago.

The other info they wanted was my kids expired passports that we had originally applied with (just scanned and added them to the online application), Medicare card and for me to confirm my name as on some documents my middle name is there but it's not on my passport etc. I think the reason my application took so long is because the regional WA dept seems to be very slow, must be very busy.

At last an update for me! Here's my timeline: Date Applied: 28/06/16 City council: Broome shire but it gets sent to regional WA Perth office Online Acknowledgement received moments after applying More info requested: 01/11/16 Form 1195 posted to regional WA office as per CO request: 02/11/16 Citizenship test date received via email: 25/11/16 Date of citizenship test: 08/12/16, passed 100% Approval received via post 24/01/17 (sent 16/01/17) Citizenship ceremony invite received via email: 28/04/17 Ceremony date: 12/05/17 Am so pleased to finally be getting my ceremony!

I was not sure whether to contact citizenship dept or local council to let them know I'll be overseas for a few weeks. I contacted my local council in the end and am so glad I did, I got a response to the email I sent asking my return date, they replied saying they were going to have the ceremony the Friday before I get home, but they will change it to the Friday after I get home so I can attend. I love my small town

Hi I'm waiting for my ceremony but going overseas for a holiday soon, do I need to advise my local council or the citizenship line?

thanks Sapphilor. I suppose it was because I passed my test in early December that I'm disappointed as back then there would have been enough time to add me but unfortunately the regional WA dept seems to be really slow. The next ceremony is likely to be in June I've been told.

I posted just above as did my test on 8th dec, approval letter dated 16th Jan received today. Ceremony here in my remote town in two days but I have no invitation. The wait continues.

I did my test on 8th December, passed 100%. Just got back from a holiday crossing my fingers my approval letter would be waiting for me. Sadly not. 6 weeks of waiting, hopefully they'll approve me soon. Regional WA seems to be very slow.

I got mine via email, no letter ever arrived.

I just assumed the person that emailed from diac country was my case officer but maybe not. I'll hopefully have some news over the coming weeks. The lady over the phone was so unfriendly, I thought it was pretty reasonable to ask how my application was going a month after passing the test, she seemed to think otherwise! Have you got a date for your ceremony yet Tooz?

Can you email your case officer for an update or is that not allowed/a waste of time?

I had my citizenship test on 8th December. I've since heard nothing so called the dept. My application has not been approved yet and no time frame can be given. No hope for the Australia Day ceremony then and the wait continues :sad:

It must be a bit different when you have the test at Centrelink! There was no mention of approval just discussion on when the ceremony might be.

How do you know if I got apporoved? I was just reading the brochure thing the lady gave me and wondering this!

I brought along passport of entry and current passport for each person, birth certificate for each, marriage certificate, drivers license, Medicare card and the bank statement I had used when I applied. All fine. The lady thought it should be fine for Australia Day ceremony but wasn't sure. I think Centrelink have only recently started doing the tests not sure if they are involved with the ceremonies.