PS4

I applied for aus citizenship in 2019 & then had to leave the country to settle a few things in the family, the planned stay was for around 6 months but then corona happend & I got stuck. Overall, it took around 1.8 years to get back during that time I had 6 flight cancellations. Now, I have been in Australia for about 2 months. I am working full time & paying taxes n all. My application is still in received. I did update immigration department that I am back & everything. Does anybody know what happens now ? How long do I have to wait ?

I think I would go ahead and declare it anyway, it occurred like 8 years ago when I was a teenager and nothing of that matter has ever happened again.

@MaggieMay24 According to https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/find-legal-answers/criminal-offences/theft-and-property-damage ON THE SPOT FINE: Payment of the fine will not be seen as admission of guilt

I have accepted the advice, apologies if it seemed other way. I am just trying to understand the question.

Thank you everyone for you responses. I understand this is in my best interest to declare it. However, Has the applicant been convicted of, or found guilty of, any offences overseas or in Australia (include all traffic offences which went to court, including offences declared in your permanent residence application, and any 'spent' convictions)? The question asks clearly if the person has been convicted or found guilty of any offenses, in my case both are not true. So, shouldn't the answer be NO which is the correct answer ? how can this be seen as dishonesty ? or I am hiding anything as I am answering the question correctly ?

It didn’t come up in the police check. I applied for police check when I applied for PR.

Thanks a lot for the response wrussell. Could you please explain why though ?

When I was a student in Melbourne, Victoria. A few friends & I did a shoplifting dare & we were caught. It was only a $2 choc bar. It was the first & last time I did any such thing. We were issued on-the-spot fine which we paid right away. Question: Do I need to declare this in my citizenship application ? Has the applicant been convicted of, or found guilty of, any offences overseas or in Australia (include all traffic offences which went to court, including offences declared in your permanent residence application, and any 'spent' convictions)? According to https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/find-legal-answers/criminal-offences/theft-and-property-damage ON THE SPOT FINE: Payment of the fine will not be seen as admission of guilt and no conviction will be recorded. As there was no conviction and no admission of guilt in this case, do I need to declare it ?