After you submit your Australian citizenship application, the wait can feel long and uncertain. Here is a breakdown of what happens at each stage, roughly how long each step takes, and the most productive way to use your waiting time — starting with the citizenship test.
Note: Processing times change regularly. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website for current estimates. The figures below are general guides based on published data and are not guarantees.
The citizenship application stages
The Australian citizenship by conferral process has several distinct stages:
Application submission
You submit your application online through ImmiAccount, pay the application charge, and provide identity documents and supporting evidence. Ensure your permanent residency requirements (time in Australia, good character declarations) are all met before applying.
Application assessment
A case officer reviews your application and documents. If additional information is needed, you will receive a request. This stage can take months — during this time your application is listed as "received" or "under assessment" in ImmiAccount.
Citizenship test invitation
Once initial assessment is complete, you receive an invitation to attend a citizenship appointment. This is when you sit the citizenship test and your identity and supporting documents are verified in person.
Test and interview
The citizenship test is 20 multiple-choice questions. You need 75% (15/20) to pass. If you pass, the interview is usually completed in the same appointment. There is no time limit on the test.
Citizenship ceremony
After approval, you are invited to a citizenship ceremony where you make the Australian Citizenship Pledge. Ceremonies are often held by local councils. Wait times for a ceremony invitation vary but are typically weeks to a few months after approval.
How long does it take overall?
Total processing times vary significantly. Factors that affect your processing time include the completeness of your documents, the volume of applications being processed, whether additional checks are required, and your location.
The Department of Home Affairs publishes current processing time estimates on its website. Check the citizenship processing times page on the Home Affairs website for up-to-date figures — the link is on the citizenship applications section of the site.
Many applicants report a total wait of 12–24 months from application to ceremony, though some are processed more quickly and others wait longer. The best approach is to submit a complete, accurate application and then focus on what you can control: preparing for the citizenship test.
How to use the waiting time wisely
The wait between application submission and your citizenship appointment can be months. Rather than simply waiting, use this period to become thoroughly prepared for the test so you pass on your first attempt.
1. Read Our Common Bond
Download the testable version of Our Common Bond — the official study resource — from the Study Guide page. It is a short, readable document. Set aside a few hours to read it cover to cover.
2. Take regular practice tests
Our free practice tests replicate the actual test format: 20 random questions, three options per question, 75% pass mark. Taking practice tests regularly between now and your appointment is the most effective preparation strategy.
3. Listen to audio lessons
The audio lessons cover key topics from Our Common Bond in a spoken format — useful for reinforcing what you have read while commuting or exercising.
4. Focus on weak areas
After each practice test, your results show which sections need more work. Go back and re-read those sections of Our Common Bond, then test again. Aim for consistently scoring 80%+ in practice before your appointment.
On the day of your citizenship test
- Arrive early with all required identity documents.
- The test is conducted on a computer at the Department of Home Affairs office.
- You will have as much time as you need — there is no time limit.
- Read each question carefully before selecting your answer.
- If you do not pass on the first attempt, you may be able to sit the test again at the same appointment or reschedule.
Start practising now — be ready when your appointment arrives
Take a Practice Test →