Citizenship by conferral: current processing times
These are the official Home Affairs processing times for citizenship by conferral, the standard pathway for permanent residents. Figures are current at 30 April 2026 and describe the whole caseload as percentiles.
Application to decision
From lodging your application to a decision being made.
| Share | Processed within |
|---|---|
| 25% of applications | 3 months |
| 50% of applications | 4 months |
| 75% of applications | 5 months |
| 90% of applications | 8 months |
Approval to ceremony
From your application being approved to attending a ceremony.
| Share | Ceremony within |
|---|---|
| 25% of approvals | 76 days |
| 50% of approvals | 4 months |
| 75% of approvals | 5 months |
| 90% of approvals | 6 months |
Total: application to ceremony
Combining both stages, here is how the whole process breaks down, and 90% of people complete it within 14 months.
How to read these numbers
Each row is a percentile across everyone in the system, not a promise about your file. "90% within 8 months" means nine in ten applications reached a decision by eight months. Your case could be faster or slower depending on its complexity. Use the median (the 50% row) as a realistic middle estimate and the 90% row as a sensible worst-case to plan around. The clock starts when you lodge your application, so if you have not applied yet, see how to apply for Australian citizenship. These figures come straight from the Department of Home Affairs citizenship processing times page, which the Department updates monthly. Check it for the very latest figures.
The invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony
Once your application is approved, you are not yet a citizen. The final step is the ceremony, and it begins with the invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony, a letter sent by post or through your ImmiAccount. It confirms your approval and sets out the date, time and venue, what to bring (your invitation and photo ID), and whether you can bring family to watch.
Ceremonies are run by local councils, and that is the single biggest reason waits vary. Some councils hold ceremonies most months; others schedule them only a few times a year, usually with a larger event around Australia Day on 26 January. The data above reflects that spread: a quarter of approved applicants attend within 76 days, but the tail stretches to around six months for the slowest 10%. If your council is a frequent host you will likely be at the shorter end; if not, plan for the median of about four months.
At the ceremony you make the Australian Citizenship Pledge and receive your citizenship certificate. Only then are you a citizen. If the date you are offered does not work, you can defer: contact the council or the Department to be moved to a later ceremony. Deferring is routine and does not put your approval at risk, but you should respond to the invitation rather than simply not attending.
The full application-to-ceremony timeline
The percentiles above are easier to act on when you can see where they sit in the overall process. Here is the full path for citizenship by conferral, start to finish.
- Check eligibility and lodge your application. Most people apply online via ImmiAccount, and the myGov guidance walks through it. The application fee is paid at this point.
- Processing. The longest stage. Half of applications reach a decision within about 4 months, 90% within 8. Use this time to prepare for the test.
- Test and interview invitation. When your file is ready, you are invited to sit the citizenship test and attend an interview, scheduled through your Home Affairs appointment.
- Approval. After you pass and checks are complete, you receive an approval notice. You are approved, not yet a citizen.
- Ceremony invitation and ceremony. Your council invites you to a ceremony (half within about 4 months of approval), where you make the pledge and become a citizen.
Checking your status in ImmiAccount
The fastest way to see where your application stands is to log in to ImmiAccount. The status field shows whether your application is received, in progress, or finalised, and it is also where many invitations and requests for more information appear. A few practical points:
- Keep your contact details current in ImmiAccount. Invitations and document requests are easy to miss otherwise.
- Respond to any request for information quickly; an unanswered request is a common cause of a file stalling past the 90% mark.
- Avoid lodging duplicate enquiries; they do not speed things up and can slow your case.
Use the wait to get test-ready
Processing is the longest stage, so don't waste it. Start the free study guide and practice tests now so you pass first time when your invitation arrives.
Start a free practice testProcessing time FAQs
How long does Australian citizenship take in 2026?
Based on Home Affairs data current at 30 April 2026, conferral applications run about 3 months for the fastest quarter, 4 months for half, 5 months for three-quarters, and 8 months for 90% from application to decision. Adding the ceremony wait, 90% of people get from application to ceremony within roughly 14 months, with the median around 10 months.
How long after approval is the citizenship ceremony?
For 25% of approved applicants the ceremony is within 76 days, for half within about 4 months, for three-quarters within 5 months, and for 90% within 6 months. Ceremonies are run by local councils, so the exact wait depends on how often your council holds them.
What is the invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony?
It is the letter (sent by post or through your ImmiAccount) confirming you have been approved and inviting you to a specific ceremony to make the pledge and receive your certificate. You are not a citizen until you attend. The letter gives the date, time and venue and lists what to bring.
Can I defer my citizenship ceremony?
Yes. If you cannot attend the date you are given, contact the council or the Department to be rescheduled. Deferring does not jeopardise your approval. Long delays in attending without contact can, however, mean your approval is reviewed, so respond to the invitation rather than ignoring it.
Why is my citizenship application taking longer than these times?
The percentiles describe the whole caseload, not your file. Incomplete documents, identity or character checks, time spent living overseas, and complex circumstances all push an individual case past the 90% mark. Keeping your ImmiAccount details current and responding quickly to requests is the main thing within your control.
Can I speed up my citizenship application?
There is no paid fast-track for a standard conferral application. The most reliable way to avoid extra delay is to lodge a complete, accurate application with all supporting documents, and to reply promptly to any request from the Department.
Next: what to expect on citizenship test day · the complete citizenship test guide.