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Australia · Citizenship test

Australian citizenship processing time after the test, and your result

You see your result on the screen as soon as you finish. If you pass, Home Affairs keeps processing your application and writes to you when it decides. Its processing times count from the day you apply, so there’s no separate figure for the Australian citizenship processing time after the test itself.

  • 5 monthsDecision time for 9 in 10 applications
  • 6 monthsApproval to ceremony, for 9 in 10
  • About 4 weeksNotice before your ceremony
  • 3Appointments before a refusal is possible
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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

How long is the Australian citizenship processing time after the test?

Home Affairs’ processing times page, last updated on 16 October 2026, gives these times for citizenship by conferral:

Period countedHalf9 in 10
Application to decision42 days5 months
Approval to ceremony4 months6 months
Application to ceremony7 months11 months

Home Affairs updates these figures every month and calls them a guide only. Some of its other pages still show longer, older times, so go by the processing times page.

If you pass

Home Affairs writes to you if it needs more information, and again when it decides. If you’re approved, you must go to a citizenship ceremony and make the pledge to become a citizen. The invitation comes about four weeks before, from your local council or Home Affairs, and you can’t choose the date or place.

If you don’t attend a ceremony within 12 months of approval, and don’t have an acceptable reason, Home Affairs may cancel your approval.

If you don’t pass

Failing doesn’t affect your visa, and you can keep living in Australia. Home Affairs books another appointment for you at no extra cost. If you don’t pass after three appointments, it may refuse your application.

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Does a pass expire?

No. Home Affairs’ test determination says a successful result is valid indefinitely, and form 1300t asks whether you’ve sat and passed the test before, with the appointment ID number.

If your application is refused

The refusal letter explains the reasons, where to lodge a review and the time limits. You may be able to ask the Administrative Review Tribunal to review the decision.

Sources: Home Affairs and 6 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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