Melb User Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 26 minutes ago, RoEire said: I received my invite for a ceremony in Port Phillip today. A bit surprised as it wasn't on their original list of ceremony dates, but obviously I'm delighted. Trying not to get too excited, as with lockdowns here in Victoria, there's every chance we could be back in one in two weeks time and it will be cancelled. If we make it to a few days before and no sign of a lockdown then I'll get excited @RoEire, @elderberry, Congrats on your ceremony invite! In your invite letter, is there any mention of how many guests you can take? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elderberry Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 18 minutes ago, Melb User said: @RoEire, @elderberry, Congrats on your ceremony invite! In your invite letter, is there any mention of how many guests you can take? thanks! no guests ‘Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, numbers are strictly limited and unfortunately you will be unable to bring guests on this occasion. Only persons taking citizenship will be admitted into the building. In the event that restrictions change and capacity numbers are increased, Council Officers will notify you if guests are permitted.’ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoEire Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 As @elderberry said no guests this time around, which is disappointing but understandable. Hopefully we'll all make an effort to take pics for each other at the ceremony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCP Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 This post has given some idea to me, I would like to share my wife's citizenship timeline here: Citizenship Application Lodged: 27 July 2021 Test Invitation: waiting Test Date: waiting Approval: waiting Ceremony: waiting Council: City of Wyndham, VIC Btw, she lodged application with alternative proof for birth certificate e.g. Passport, Overseas Driver Licence, Proof of Age card, School Record. Meanwhile, preparing application for PCC to shorten the wait time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sukhi & kiran Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 Any lucky one got ceremony from Wyndham City council Victoria recently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToowoombaBlue Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 On 28/07/2021 at 15:41, Mustung said: I have quick question. I got new born and she got her AU Citizenship and Passport. i am applying for Citizenship with my kids now and just wanted to confirm do i need to include new born anywhere in the application? My son was born here and I didn’t need to include him on the application. You are getting conflicting information on this forum, best to ring Immigration or find the answer on your immi account. From memory there wasn’t a section I could put his details in, and because as he is a citizen of Australia, he didn’t need to be included in the application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GL9 Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 5 hours ago, Sukhi & kiran said: Any lucky one got ceremony from Wyndham City council Victoria recently May I know your approval date ? mine is on 28th May in Wyndham council and waiting for the Ceremony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 6 hours ago, RoEire said: As @elderberry said no guests this time around, which is disappointing but understandable. Hopefully we'll all make an effort to take pics for each other at the ceremony Congratulations. We had the same restrictions when we received our citizenship last November, no handshake, no official photo, and collect your certificate on the way out. We took the chance as there was officially no covid in our area and took photos for each other with another couple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 1 hour ago, ToowoombaBlue said: My son was born here and I didn’t need to include him on the application. You are getting conflicting information on this forum, best to ring Immigration or find the answer on your immi account. From memory there wasn’t a section I could put his details in, and because as he is a citizen of Australia, he didn’t need to be included in the application. The forms change regularly so it may no longer be the case, but I know my wife had to include our son's details on her form even though he was already a citizen since it required the details of all children not just those for whom citizenship was being applied for. There was a question "Does the applicant have any children under 16 years of age that are not applying for citizenship within this application?" Once you answer yes you need to fill in their details. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sukhi & kiran Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 My application approved on 24 May and still no news and waiting for ceremony, not sure when I will get invitation from Wyndham City council Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoEire Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 3 hours ago, ramot said: Congratulations. We had the same restrictions when we received our citizenship last November, no handshake, no official photo, and collect your certificate on the way out. We took the chance as there was officially no covid in our area and took photos for each other with another couple. Thanks @ramot. I'm attending on my own, as my partners application is about a year behind mine, so hopefully I'll find a friendly face there I can ask to be my photographer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpp Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 Hi All, Wanted to share my citizenship journey Citizenship Application Lodged: 29 July 2020 Test Invitation: 22 May 2021 Test Date: 29 July 2021, Rescheduled 15 June 2021 Approval: Same day in couple of hours Ceremony: waiting Council: Monash, VIC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpp Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 Those from Monash, VIC I raised FOI about citizenship backlog and as of 16th July 2021 there are 948 people whose application is approved and are awaiting for ceremony. Considering only 6 ceremony are planned for balance of 2021 and covid restrictions on number it does not look good unless council plans more ceremony to clear backlog 2021 citizenship ceremonies (Monash) 16 August 13 September 20 September 27 September 11 October 6 December Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nora Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 1 hour ago, jpp said: Those from Monash, VIC I raised FOI about citizenship backlog and as of 16th July 2021 there are 948 people whose application is approved and are awaiting for ceremony. Considering only 6 ceremony are planned for balance of 2021 and covid restrictions on number it does not look good unless council plans more ceremony to clear backlog 2021 citizenship ceremonies (Monash) 16 August 13 September 20 September 27 September 11 October 6 December Hello, may I ask how to ask for FOi? What do you write to inquire about the backlog? Kindly, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prakash260 Posted July 30, 2021 Share Posted July 30, 2021 Hi Everyone, Below is my timeline. citizenship application:Sep 2020 Invitation for test: March 13 2021 for April 14th 2021 Test and approved on April 14th. In person Ceremony: 20th July 2021 canceled due to lockdown 10 days before Sent an email to virtual.ceremony.nsw@homeaffairs.gov.au on July 15th 2021 for virtual ceremony stating my ceremony was canceled and I feel it is better and safe for me to go for Virtual . No one replied but got virtual ceremony meeting for July 22 2021 and finally I am a citizen. Council : Hills shire council, NSW Hope this helps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpp Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 19 hours ago, Nora said: Hello, may I ask how to ask for FOi? What do you write to inquire about the backlog? Kindly, You can email to FOI@homeaffairs.gov.au and add wording "I request a copy of the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 1982" as at xxx date, the number of persons whose applications for citizenship by conferral have been approved and were awaiting a citizenship ceremony at xxx Council. Then provide your email where they can send information 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mansbrofessor Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 Hi everyone! I'm planning on applying for my citizenship in December 2021 out of Melbourne (Casey council). I've been reading quite a lot of posts of 15 month waiting periods for Melbourne folks and it seems like other states seem to be getting their citizenships within 6-12 months. I understand this delay is due to the backlog created by the lockdowns in Melbourne. Is there a way to expedite this process and not get stuck in the 15 month waiting period. (i.e. apply from NSW, Adelaide or sit the test in those areas)? I don't even know if this is possible with a Melbourne resedential address, apologies for my lack understanding of the process. Has anyone in a similar situation in Melbourne managed to work out a quicker way to complete the end to end process rather that apply and forget about it until a year or more? Would really appreciate if I could get some insights into this process. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elderberry Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, mansbrofessor said: Hi everyone! I'm planning on applying for my citizenship in December 2021 out of Melbourne (Casey council). I've been reading quite a lot of posts of 15 month waiting periods for Melbourne folks and it seems like other states seem to be getting their citizenships within 6-12 months. I understand this delay is due to the backlog created by the lockdowns in Melbourne. Is there a way to expedite this process and not get stuck in the 15 month waiting period. (i.e. apply from NSW, Adelaide or sit the test in those areas)? I don't even know if this is possible with a Melbourne resedential address, apologies for my lack understanding of the process. Has anyone in a similar situation in Melbourne managed to work out a quicker way to complete the end to end process rather that apply and forget about it until a year or more? Would really appreciate if I could get some insights into this process. Thanks Personally I would suggest patience and acceptance. Where you sit your test and attend your citizenship ceremony is dependent on where you live. Unless you want to start by lying about that, then, just like the desire to travel , we just have to be resilient and accept what we cannot change. Edited July 31, 2021 by elderberry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serato85 Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 (edited) Hi Everyone, Just wanted to share my journey below. Location: Melbourne Applied Citizenship: 17/07/2020 Current Citizenship: New Zealand Test Date: 24/06/2021 (Rescheduled from 03/06/2021 due to Vic lockdown) Approved: 24/06/2021 (2 hours later) Awaiting Ceremony: 17/08/2021 Council: Casey, VIC Edited August 1, 2021 by serato85 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainR Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Lake Macquarie Council Applied: 19 July 2018 Acknowledged: 23 July 2018 Request for more info: 08 Nov 2018 Test: 02 Jun 2021 (Newcastle Centrelink) Approval: 27 Jul 2021 Ceremony: ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snmp Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 On 02/07/2021 at 08:00, snmp said: Hi all, Finally got round to applying for citizenship (was eligible Feb 2019!!!), timeline below: Application submitted: 14/04/21 Appointment email received: 15/06/21 Interview & Test: 01/07/21 Approved: 01/07/21 (told I would receive letter in post to confirm approval in approx 3 weeks) Ceremony: TBC (advised wait time is currently 6-8months) Well that happened alot quicker than expected! Received invite for ceremony this morning, ceremony date 24/08/21 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnkitC Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 Hi everyone, I have a question about requesting an urgent ceremony if someone has experience with this. I am wondering if it is possible to request an urgent ceremony (virtual) based on wanting to apply for a government job that requires applicant to be an Australian citizen. I read somewhere that if you have a job offer conditional upon you being a citizen, then the department may consider that, however, in this case, the job description says the applicant must be a citizen to be able to apply. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewajp002 Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 On 30/07/2021 at 20:04, jpp said: Those from Monash, VIC I raised FOI about citizenship backlog and as of 16th July 2021 there are 948 people whose application is approved and are awaiting for ceremony. Considering only 6 ceremony are planned for balance of 2021 and covid restrictions on number it does not look good unless council plans more ceremony to clear backlog 2021 citizenship ceremonies (Monash) 16 August 13 September 20 September 27 September 11 October 6 December Hey, Had mine with Monash on 12/07, and there were no more than 50 in the theatre, it may be that we had just come out of covid due to the low numbers, but i say they couldnt fit more than 150 in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canada2Australia Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 I wrote my citizenship test on May 26, passed, and had been waiting for approval. I just happened to check my immi account today and saw that my application had been approved on July 17. I did not receive any kind of notification that approval had been granted. So for all who are waiting for an email to let them know their application has been approved, don't hold your breath as you may not get one. Keep checking your immi account as your first port of call for a change in application status. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpp Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 6 hours ago, andrewajp002 said: Hey, Had mine with Monash on 12/07, and there were no more than 50 in the theatre, it may be that we had just come out of covid due to the low numbers, but i say they couldnt fit more than 150 in there. Yes at that time maximum people permitted for public gathering was 50 only. Currently it is just 10 and if everything goes right could move back to 50. It would need 18 ceremonies to clear backlog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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