wombatinabox

Oh well that's too bad you should've applied on the same day knowing the news. Anyways no point looking back or regretting! You will now be processed under the new rules which will only be ready by end 2017/ early 2018. Apply now to lock in your place in queue but your application will only move forward when new rules and tests are ready. Looks like a long wait unfortunately Good luck to us all we are on the same boat.

If you applied on April 19th then you are fine don't worry you'll be processed under old rules without delay.

This makes it even more clear that these changes are purely politically targeted. We all know why..

Petitions are useless. Plus that petition is so brief and doesn't really address the real issue. It's better to contact your local MP and senator ask them to vote against this and submit your feedback to government as per the citizenship changes document.

Yep the backlog will be so huge, very likely wait times will extend to 2019.

They now officially removed the online eligibility. You can technically apply by paper but apps after April 20 will be frozen anyway even if eligible under new rules until new tests are ready and approved early 2018. Looks like a very long wait period is ahead Waiting for final confirmation from agent but not looking good for post April 20 apps

Its over, no more apps till 2018

Early 2018

Border has now officially removed the citizenship calculator, no good! Looks like our speculation of applications on and after April 20 being frozen are true. Most likely only be processed after early 2018 when new tests are ready. We are looking at extended wait times even if eligible under new rules. I'm trying to get confirmation from a migration agent

Yeah I think the double IELTS requirement is pretty pathetic for PR holders since we all did IELTS anyway. I scored min 8 in all of them why should I redo it? They are assuming your English will get worse over 4 years in Australia? No sense doing it twice other than money grab. Should only apply to visa categories that didnt have the IELTS requirement.

Thanks. Everyone here, you must go to that link, scroll to the bottom of the page and submit your feedback and opposition to these changes, especially the back dating/moving goal posts which is the key factor that makes these new citizenship changes wrong and unfair. Second step, google who your local MP and senator is and ask them to vote NO, tell them your reasons. You can either write to them or email them.

Can someone please post the official link for submitting feedback to government about the new changes? It will help if everyone here affected submits their opposition to these changes especially the back dating.

This is the MAIN problem, while I am eligible under the new rules to apply in June 2017 anyway, I completely disagree and oppose the fact that these new changes are "back dated".

Protesting on the streets is useless, these days protests are considered a nuisance and usually labelled by media as jobless no life bludgers. Online petitions can help, but only if they reach 100K+ . What is more important however is to write or email your local MP and senator and tell them to vote NO for these changes.

Don't ASK them their opinion, ORDER them. They are your rep and should represent the views of their electors. That's how you talk to MPs and pressure them. Basically say why you oppose this and end it with "YOU SHOULD VOTE NO"

Unfortunately count on these new rules and changes happening. With a weak spineless Labor opposition, don't expect them to fight this much. Yes it may have been your mistake for not applying immediately when you were qualified in December 2016 but no point regretting. I have learnt from own experience to never take things for granted, it's always advisable to apply immediately the moment you qualify. I suggest approaching a migration agent to see your options. And make sure you follow up and stay up to date on changes as not to miss out on any details that might affect you.

If applied before April 20 you will be fine and processed under old system. Infact expect faster processing as you now have possibly tens of thousands who are suddenly not eligible and will free up processing time.

The bill specifically says the new tests ( English and values test) applies for all applicants who apply after April 20. New tests will only be ready end 2017 or early 2018. This can can only mean citizenship applicants who are eligible under new rules either way will have to wait for approval until 2018 when new tests are developed, most likely well into 2018 and 2019 due to the massive backlog that will be created. Pretty much we are all screwed either way.

I have also emailed my local mp (Labor) who replied and said firmly he will vote NO. However, unfortunately a lot of Labor MPs representing more conservative seats are voting yes which guarantees this bill will pass, there is no doubt about it except maybe more modifications. Here in Australia unfortunately the political left who normally protect immigrant rights have become very disorganised and weak, Labor party has been ineffective for last few years, they pretty much follow liberal party agenda for the most part. So I don't see much opposition. Unlike the USA where the political left is very organised and we'll funded to protect immigrants, I mean look at what they did to stop Trump travel ban. These new rules are purely political in nature no one can ever argue otherwise. I wish everyone good luck, hopefully in the end we all get a "fair go" at citizenship.

The new values tests apply for those on and after April 20, so even if you qualify under new rules the new tests not ready and applicants will have to wait till 2018 for the new values tests and English exam to be ready.

No Im talking about those who are eligible under the NEW System, which I will be eligible in June 2017. So Even if you are eligible under new system, if you apply on or after April 20, your application won't go forward until the new rules, tests and integration evidence is approved by Parliament and are ready in 2018 . This will be a massive delay and create a huge back log for all citizenship applicants who apply after april 20. Good luck to us all

So it is safe to say ALL Citizenship Applications applied April 20 2017 and onwards will be FROZEN/ON HOLD until parliament approved th

Can someone help me figure out these new rules? So these new rules apply for all applications Starting 20th April 2017 (today), BUT the bill will only pass towards end 2017/early 2018. The material of the new tests and english language exam is also not ready. That means if someone eligible to apply in May 2017, which test will they go through if its still not ready? do they need to "prove integration" ? What if you're approved before these rule pass parliament? or does this mean ALL citizenship applications will be frozen starting April 20 until the whole thing passes by end of 2017/early 2018 and the new tests are ready?