AnneOz

23 hours ago, Tecnik said:

I have also added it into my signature now. 

Think someone messed up with the dates of application. I just noted mine was wrong and corrected it. I'm all done and dusted but found this spreadsheet useful along the way.

On 05/09/2018 at 17:28, Rhyme said:

That is why I'm asking. I'm just making sure that I'm being honest and that it won't be roadblock to my application.

Thanks for sharing your experience as well.

Yep better safe than sorry

7 hours ago, Rhyme said:

Hi guys,

I have a question about traffic offence. I've already applied for my citizenship and I had a traffic infringement a few years back. It's paid and no court finding. Do I need to include that in my application?

Because it only mentions on the application form to include offence with court conviction. Anyone with this experience and got citizenship approval?

As others said. I actually had a few traffic and parking infringements at the time I applied, all of them paid. I went to court with one of them, it was my choice to dispute in court. I had forgotten about it but when I submitted my app I realised I had one I'd been in court for. So I submitted form 1023. At my interview, no questions asked. I didn't notify them of my other traffic / parking tickets.

So you read correctly, the instructions say only the ones you went to court with. Remember it's a character question as they could check any time and corroborate your answers.

19 hours ago, rammygirl said:

No in his twenties. It does say to leave 10 days before applying. Maybe the system needs to update?

just looked it is confusing but you click on start/ renewal passport to start the process on line. 

https://www.passports.gov.au/passports-explained/quick-guide-online-application

Ah yes, it could be. I'm just impatient  

1 hour ago, rammygirl said:

Son applied on line for first Aus passport recently. All done and paid for on line. He did have to print off a page to complete and take to post office with photos and ID to finalise though. 

Weird it didn’t let me apply.. Is he under 18? You can if you are  

25 minutes ago, Rorz said:

Congratulations Anne. Thats a decent turnaround time too. Will you apply for your passport immediately?  @AnneOz

Will try to, no rush as I don't have travel plans before November but in the next few days probably. Can't apply online, seems only renewals can be done online so have to go to the Post office pick up a form, fill in at home and return with it to the Post office  But it will get there now since all else is done!

Had my ceremony yesterday, so all done now! 10 months from application to ceremony (7 months from application to approval)!!

1 hour ago, Ken said:

You can travel abroad on a foreign passport but to re-enter Australia Australian citizens must use their Australian passport. Convincing Australian immigration is only half the problem. You also have to convince an airline to fly you to Australia despite not having a valid visa (any existing visa in your old passport is cancelled on the day of your ceremony). Really not worth the hassle. Get a passport.

Ah yeah, didn't think of that

22 hours ago, Zet01 said:

Hi,

We received our ceremony invite for August 9. My concern is that we are travelling overseas for a short holiday on August 16, I am not sure if we can get a passport that soon for our travel.

Best guess is we skip the ceremony and move it for the next ceremony date.  

Why would you wait for the AU passport? Can you not travel on your other one? This is exactly what I am going to do with my short holiday. 

4 hours ago, Rorz said:

What date did you get your approval on? 

Approval on 8th of May (test date 7th of May).

6 hours ago, Rorz said:

Were they not bothered that you called? My councils website says not to contact them directly as the date is not arranged by them but rather from the Department of Immigration. They just get given a list of the next intake. I called my local council and they were quite rude to me when I inquired if I was on the list for next ceremony.

"Once you have been approved and received your letter of approval from the DIBP, you will be put on a 6 month waiting list for a ceremony. Council will receive your details one month prior to your allocated ceremony date and will then contact you at this time. Please do not contact Council prior to receiving your invitation to a ceremony as we are unable to tell you where you sit on the waiting list." 

Not at all, the ladies were quite helpful actually. This is the first ceremony since May for my council and I don't think our one is a very busy one. I think they get annoyed if you are calling straight after the test and directly about the letter etc. something that does not come from them but from DHA. I knew the invitation letters were to be sent app 1 month before the next ceremony, so that's what I told them and asked I just wanted to check if my name was on the list for the next ceremony. I think that's fair if you are planning a trip you'd want to know and plan accordingly. 

6 hours ago, Zet01 said:

Welcome back @AnneOz! Congratulations on your ceremony.

Thank you!!! Got the invitation letter by post today too 

I called Wollahra Council yesterday to ask whether my name was on the list for the next ceremony on the 8 August and they said I was definitely on the list! So it’s all happening. Took app 10 months in total. Good luck everyone!!

14 minutes ago, Rorz said:

Passed my citizenship test on Wednesday. Have been told the likely wait for a ceremony date will be 3-6 months. Using positive thinking Im putting the vibes out for a ceremony end of June at the latest. Good luck to all still waiting. Hang in there. It comes eventually. 

Congrats! Lol I was told 6-9 months. I think this is just a very standard thing they need to say (I strongly suspect their system gives them an indication of ETA taking into account the standard processing time and the time from app to test, e.g. 16 months less 7 months till test = 9 months, so they give you 6-9 months). Obv depends on the council and the number of ceremonies and people  Hopefully sooner than that!!

12 minutes ago, Zet01 said:

I have been reading the Common Bond booklet to ready ourselves for the test. Our test date was more than a month after the test invite, but I am not complaining. I am happy to know our application is moving.

I can't wait to sit on the test.  Congratulations again

Exactly Congrats to you too! If you read the booklet and practise some online tests you should be fine. I found the test really easy

2 minutes ago, Zet01 said:

Congrats @AnneOz, our test date is end May. Did you arrange for an earlier test date? Or that was the original test date given to you?

Thank you! So much more relaxed now! It was the original date, I figured it was just a week later so couldn't be bothered with changing it 

22 minutes ago, Rikkeskill said:

Thanks for your response Ken. I’m still a bit confused to be honest m! Sorry mate. Quick run down. I first came to Australia back in 2007 on a working holiday left in 2009. We actually moved back for good May 7th 2015. My visa was granted March 20th 2015. I came on holiday in October 2014 while my application was being processed. So do I fit the criteria? I’ve been out of the country in the 3 years for a total of 6 weeks.

 

Thanks for your help. 

I'd use this calculator with your specific dates. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/ente/retu/residence-calculator

1 hour ago, Naninani1 said:

Great congratulations

Can i ask what is the email you used for contacting thf immigration officers?

I don't think I used a specific email, but the contact form on their website. It is not easy to find though  https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about/corporate/information/forms/online/citizenship-elodgement-enquiry-form

Oh and they don't like people contacting them requesting update of status etc so I sent something in the spirit of 'I am aware of the processing times, however wanted to make sure that the documents I submitted are sufficient and there is nothing from my side I should still submit.'

1 minute ago, bhagath said:

 

Congrats Mate. 

 

May I know which state you applied from? 

 

Thanks 

NSW, my test was in Sydney CBD, council Woollahra

On 30/04/2018 at 11:55, Mavi said:

Congratulations at least you got test date. I am assuming that nowadays people are getting test dates exact after 6 months, which is very good news. 

Thank you! Just passed the test yesterday too. So happy, not sure about the 6 months though. Weird I also sent them an email on the 6th of April and got my test email on the 27th of April. Not sure if related, other people think it is just coincidence. 

Hi guys, I'm giving you my timeline so far

Online application applied on 07-10-2017

Acknowledgement email on 07-10-2017

Test date email - 27-04-2018

Test Date 07-05-2018

Approved in online immi account - 08-05-2018

Approval Letter ..-- none yet 

Ceremony Date -- none yet 

Finally got my test date, applied 7 Oct 2017 online, test date 7 May 2018, Sydney CBD

23 minutes ago, Plentymech said:

My family and I applied for citizenship on 21st April this year and I had my interview and test this morning (Sydney). My children (17 & 20) are up tomorrow for the same but the 17 year old does not have to undertake the test. My wife is scheduled for next Monday. Was OK, no dramas really. I forgot an ID photo and I also overheard someone who had forgot their 1195 (Identity Declaration) form but they were OK about it and allowed them to bring it in within 7 days. 

I'm reading through other forums as well there is some progress on apps. Hopefully more good news like yours come soon 

4 minutes ago, DeeTowers said:

Another question all - sorry if its been asked before:

Page 17 of the online citizenship form - i have lived in AU since July 2011, previous to that was the UK. Do I have to list all my holidays I had in the UK or is the first part of this question if you were living in AU since the age of 18????

Thanks in advance!

Dee

Countries resided / visited

Since the age of 18, has the applicant lived or travelled outside of Australia?

 

Since the age of 18, has the applicant lived or travelled outside of Australia?YesNo

 

Give details of all countries that the applicant has lived in or travelled to since turning the age of 18, include:

• Work or study outside of Australia
   
• Holiday or leisure, including visits to the applicants country of origin
   
• Business
   
• Military deployment

I had something similar. I listed the time in my home country and my other country I was employed under Work, Study etc option as two separate entries and then I listed all my holidays during that time I lived back in my home country and later my other country of employment. They would like to know all of your travels  

Hope that helps!

21 hours ago, Nus said:

Hi all,

I need some advice. My wife was filling up the online citizenship application form. In the associated family details, she was filling up her brother's country of current residence. It was asking  to select his usual country of residence and  it's also saying that "for student visas: the term usual country of residence refers to applicant's home country". He is living in a foreign country for more than one year and holds a student visa of that country. Now what should she fill up? Will she fill up the home country or the foreign country where he is living now?

Thanks in advance.

I think it should be the country of current residence. If the students visa gives residence in this country (which I doubt), fill in the country where he studies. Otherwise, his residence would be his home country (usually by passport unless residence visa in a different country).