Dr-StrangeLove

Hi folks, got my ceremony invitation today for 20th Feb 2020. Thanks for helping with all my questions and making this thread with valuable information. All the best to everyone and hope you all get your applications processed quickly. Cheers.

Timeframe for 75% of applications to move from approval to ceremony has just been bumped to 5 months https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/citizenship-processing-times

8 hours ago, Ausa0000 said:

Usually most background checks are processed and completed before applicants take the test, but when an applicant reschedules their test date to a much earlier date these checks are often not even started yet by the time the applicant takes their test. This explains why they wouldn't yet be able to approve this type of application. The department cannot plan for an applicant who reschedules their test earlier.

 

6 hours ago, Georgiegie said:

Spot on. I received my invite on 20.01 and rescheduled my test to the following day.

The reason why I'm sharing my experience in this thread is to let others know that such things might happen sometimes, and there is no need to panic if your application is not approved minutes after you completed your test.

Good luck to everyone! I hope long queues will become a thing of the past in 2020.

Makes sense. Thanks!

4 hours ago, Georgiegie said:

Hey mate, just wondering if you got your approval yet? 

I had my interview and test earlier this morning, and the officer who was interviewing me said that because I only applied in December and I’m very fresh in the system, it might take another few months until all background checks are complete.

Cheers

Background check after the test? That’s strange. Did you pass? May I ask what your application status is currently? 

I specially asked if they needed like birth certificate and police clearance certificate for any background verification and the officer i dealt with said not required.

4 minutes ago, LAG said:

Hi, yes everyone gets that letter a few days after the application is approved. It doesn't really have any important information on it... other than saying that we are not citizens until we attend the ceremony.

The invitation for a ceremony will come by post or/and email around 4 weeks before the ceremony.

Ah ok thanks. So if the ceremony invite comes in as an email as well, the same is seen in the Messages tab in the ImmiAccount? 

8 minutes ago, KazBaker said:

me but not from local MP. it is from Minister of citizenship

Oh ok. I might have mistaken then. I thought I got from my local MP. It had the Aus coat of arms in the letter as well. Might have been from the ministry like you said. 

So this letter is separate to the one to be expected for ceremony?

Did anyone get a congratulations letter from the local MP after their citizenship test was completed and application approved? I did and initially I was hoping that would contain the ceremony date but it was just a congrats letter from the local MP 

12 minutes ago, Dr-StrangeLove said:

Cheers, this is super helpful. Looks like I just missed

Also, I realized I had opted not to be included in a public ceremony which now to think of was a mistake. I wouldn't have had to take time off work to attend the ceremony if I had not opted that which could have given a chance to attend the ceremony at ICC on 26th Jan 2020. Just FYI to folks applying now for citizenship 

5 minutes ago, millski88 said:

https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/ceremony_backlog

If you check this Wiki list over on Whirlpool, it looks like the last person reported from your council area as getting on the 26th Jan ceremony was approved on 4th November - so the next ceremony could be your go!

Cheers, this is super helpful. Looks like I just missed

32 minutes ago, millski88 said:

Should usually be 3-4 weeks before.

Completely depends on your local council's backlog which ceremony you end up at, but I'd say it's likely 26th Jan is all done now. I know from my local council (Moreland) that i'm not on 26th Jan or their February lists, our approval was late October.

I'm just preparing for up to another 3 months wait, that way won't be too disappointed! Is there anything pressing for you time-wise, or just want to have it done?

 Also remember, the reported average between approval and ceremony is 4-5 months -

 

 

Thanks. I am planning to go overseas as soon as possible as I haven't been in a long time. That's the only thing pressing at the moment. Don't want to apply for RRV (which I am up for now as my 5 yr PR validity is done) as it costs a lot of money and also I have some expenses in line once the ceremony is done (like aus passport application and renouncing my current passport and applying new visa etc..)

How long before the ceremony can we expect the invitation sent? It's been 2 months since my application has been approved and haven't received any letter yet. I was hoping to be included in the 26th Jan list but hopes of that is diminishing at a fast rate now

40 minutes ago, Indianinoz said:

Goto settings to add signature. Please also add your council/town name.

Done. Cheers

Cheers. Done

Hey guys,

Just joined this forum and topic. Reading all the comments in the thread, I am pretty much in the same boat. Below are my timelines and awaiting the ceremony invitation now. Anyone else closer to my timeline? 

Citizenship Application: 7th Jan 2019

Invitation: 30th Aug 2019

Test Date: 9th Nov 2019

Approval: 9th Nov 2019

Ceremony: TBA

Thanks,

PS: Sorry not sure how to add the timeline in the signature.