Processing times / Citizenship
Australian citizenship processing time
As of 12 November 2026, Home Affairs reports that 90% of citizenship by conferral applications were decided within 5 months of lodgement, and half within 42 days.
Half decided within
42 days
9 in 10 decided within
5 months
To ceremony, 90%
11 months
Key facts
- As of 12 November 2026, Home Affairs reports that 90% of applications for Australian citizenship by conferral were decided within 5 months of lodgement, and 50% within 42 days.
- From application to the citizenship ceremony, 90% took 11 months.
- At 30 September 2026 the department had 53,298 conferral applications on hand.
- Between 1 September and 30 September 2026 it received 23,581 new conferral applications.
Checked against Home Affairs every day. Last checked 11 November 2026.
Cite this page
AusVisaClock. “Australian citizenship processing time.” Updated 12 November 2026. https://ausvisaclock.com/australian-citizenship-processing-time/
The figures come from the Department of Home Affairs. You may quote them with a link to this page.
Processing times by application type
Percentiles of applications finalised in the reporting period.
| Application | Measured | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian citizenship by conferral (general eligibility and other situations) | From date of application to decision | 36 days | 42 days | 78 days | 5 months |
| Australian citizenship by conferral (general eligibility and other situations) | From date of approval to ceremony | 71 days | 4 months | 5 months | 6 months |
| Australian citizenship by conferral (general eligibility and other situations) | From date of application to ceremony | 5 months | 7 months | 8 months | 11 months |
| Australian citizenship by descent | From date of application to decision | 34 days | 37 days | 70 days | 4 months |
| Evidence of Australian citizenship | From date of application to decision | 2 days | 4 days | 8 days | 15 days |
Applications on hand and received
On hand at 30 September 2026; received between 1 September and 30 September 2026.
| Application | On hand | Received in month |
|---|---|---|
| Australian citizenship by conferral (general eligibility and other situations) | 53,298 | 23,581 |
| Australian citizenship by descent | 2,988 | 1,664 |
| Evidence of Australian citizenship | 940 | 3,647 |
Still waiting on a visa?
Most people apply for citizenship after holding a permanent visa. See processing times for the 189, 190, 820/801 partner and 186 visas, or every visa.
Citizenship by descent: 90% decided within 4 months.
Evidence of citizenship: 90% decided within 15 days.
Citizenship processing questions
How long does Australian citizenship take?
For citizenship by conferral, Home Affairs reports that 50% of applications were decided within 42 days and 90% within 5 months of lodgement. From application to the citizenship ceremony, 90% took 11 months.
How many citizenship applications are waiting?
At 30 September 2026 the department had 53,298 citizenship by conferral, 2,988 citizenship by descent, 940 Evidence of Australian citizenship applications on hand. Between 1 September and 30 September 2026 it received 23,581 citizenship by conferral, 1,664 citizenship by descent, 3,647 Evidence of Australian citizenship applications.
Can I use a bridging visa while my citizenship application is processed?
No. Home Affairs says you can’t use a bridging visa while you wait for a citizenship application to be decided. If you are a permanent resident, your permanent visa still applies; check its travel facility before you leave Australia.