Red Rose

I don’t think you can say too much negative about Perth without offending the people on this site who live there. I thought the place itself was beautiful but found Perthites (while superficially friendly) cliquey and difficult to make close friends with which contributed to the feeling of isolation when I was there. To the OP, I think if you still feel the same way in the next 12 months then things are probably not going to change for you, but I hope they do.

Update: ceremony on 22/5/2019 Certificate received today on 1/6/2019 end-to-end process: Application submitted on 1/2/2018, so 16 months exactly to become a citizen, which I think is in range for their estimates (but still long). Last step is to get that passport and then I’m done.

Still waiting to receive my citizenship certificate in the mail... On another note, how do you get the photos taken at the citizenship ceremony by the photographer; would be nice to add to my insta lol....

I finished it in about two minutes and I’m not exaggerating, it’s that’s easy, tbh it needs to be scrapped. It serves no purpose, either make it semi challenging or don’t bother having a test at all....

I know what would speed your application up and it would have a 100% success rate. Write to your minister.

That’s a good question abhi my gut feeling is “no” as a ceremonial certificate does not have legal status as evidence of citizenship, I think I’ll need to wait to receive the citizenship certificate before I can apply for it. Just another step in the long wait to become a citizen !

Had my citizenship ceremony yesterday at inner west council (Ashfield). Nicely organised event with brass band mayor etc. liked getting a plant with my certificate. Only anomaly was not getting issued with a citizenship certificate yesterday, only a ceremonial certificate. Something to do with the election and the transitionary arrangements. Will have to wait for citizenship certs to be posted by registered post in the next few days / weeks.

Weirdest question ever.

I’ve skimmed through this thread so apologies if I’ve missed the obvious, but to the OP: Why did you leave Melbourne and return to the UK if your life in Melbourne was so perfect?

There are always exceptions but my advice to anyone reading this thread and considering emigrating to Australia (to live & work permanently) is that these two (2) things really are the building blocks to a potentially successful visa application : 1. Being YOUNG (20’s preferably) 2. Having a DEGREE If you have those two things and a massive desire to emigrate to Australia, I reckon you can make it work a lot of the time....

Fair call. Those are good points.

I’m glad this is being enforced. There is something rather underhand about applying for a state sponsored visa and then buggering off to another state to live and work (which I’m sure people have done as soon as they have arrived in Australia) without even having the courtesy of letting your sponsoring state know. Really, if found out, this is also something that should be considered under the applicant’s “character” assessment when applying for citizenship.

While the length of time it takes to process applications is ridiculously long in anyone’s books, there is a part of me that wonders : does it really matter? If you are applying for citizenship, then most applicants would (I assume) be planning to commit their lives to Australia; that being an implied condition of citizenship. Therefore if it takes 6-12 months longer than you would ideally like, what is the actual inconvenience?

That citizenship test seriously needs overhauling. I completed it today in about 90 seconds with 100% and you don’t even have four answers to choose from but THREE! Is it made that easy so children can pass?

Thanks rammygirl yes I updated them with the new passport and have come into the country twice in last 24 months with the new passport. Thanks again.

I'm sure this question has been asked numerous times before, but re the evidence of when you first arrived in Australia which you have to provide on the day of the citizenship test, I annoyingly no longer have my original passport. So 2 questions, 1. Don't they know from their system when I first entered the country on my PR visa? (in my case November 2013) 2. If not, would a contract of employment with WA Police (commencing Nov 2013) be sufficient? Thanks

Those waiting times are ridiculous, typical public servants taking forever to get things done.

Fellow PIO's I've long let my fear of public speaking hold me back in life, I think it's the one thing that could really enhance my career as well as other facets of my life. Does anyone have experiences with courses such as toastmasters or any other recommendations? Thank you!

I know politically things are all over the place at home at the moment, but the amazing weather, world cup, Wimbledon, country shows etc it would be an awesome time to be home, I hope everyone back home is making the most of the amazing weather cause when the weather is good there is no better place on earth!

I applied in Jan 2018. I have exceptionally low expectations. I hope to be invited for a test by 2019 and ceremony by 2020.

IELTS is not hard, judging by your written English I think 9 in each category would be very achievable for you.

What is the C2 level Cambridge? Sounds hard as your English needs to be PhD / research masters proficient. Wouldn't IELTS be a lot easier to get the 20 points?

I live in Sydney and think the weather here is amazing BUT there is still no where else I'd rather be than the UK on a mid 20's cloudless summer day where it doesn't get dark till past 9pm. *When the weather is good*, there is something indescribably intoxicating about a British summer.

If 65 points is minimum from next week, it seems the quickest way to reach that number or get to 70 would be to sit another English test to obtain the full 20 points. Is this something that is possible (I.e. to resit) and if so, how achievable is 20 points under the Cambridge English CAE test?

@Banana707 how have things been since returning to the UK? Have you found a job and what has it felt like being home after all those years in Oz?