Citizenship ceremony wait times by council, November 2026
76,117 approved applicants waiting for a ceremony across 539 councils. 81% had waited under 3 months, 2% more than 6 months.
Ceremony wait by state
85%under 3 monthsNSW21,240 waiting88%under 3 monthsVIC21,471 waiting80%under 3 monthsQLD13,090 waiting69%under 3 monthsWA12,882 waiting79%under 3 monthsSA5,667 waiting82%under 3 monthsTAS631 waiting81%under 3 monthsACT670 waiting83%under 3 monthsNT466 waitingAll 539 councilssearch by name
Big number: share of approved applicants still waiting who had waited under 3 months, at 31 Oct 2026.
approved applicants were waiting for a citizenship ceremony on 31 October 2026
Citizenship ceremony wait times: 81% of them had waited under 3 months since approval, 16% 3 to 6 months and 2% more than 6 months.
Official page updated · Waits counted to · Checked by us · Official ceremony wait times
Waited under 3 months81%Share of those waiting, weighted by council size.
Waited 3 to 6 months16%Approved, no ceremony yet.
Waited more than 6 months2%Approved more than 6 months before the cut-off.
Councils listed539124 show "<5", 96 show none waiting.
Showing 539 of 539 councils
| Council | Waiting | <3 mo | 3–6 mo | >6 mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane City CouncilQLD | 3,589 | 88% | 7% | 5% |
| City of CaseyVIC | 2,518 | 96% | 3% | 1% |
| Blacktown City CouncilNSW | 2,292 | 91% | 8% | 1% |
| City of Gold CoastQLD | 2,062 | 74% | 20% | 7% |
| Moreton Bay Regional CouncilQLD | 2,045 | 55% | 38% | 6% |
| City of Parramatta CouncilNSW | 1,807 | 69% | 29% | 1% |
| Logan City CouncilQLD | 1,526 | 87% | 9% | 4% |
| Melton City CouncilVIC | 1,491 | 93% | 6% | 1% |
| Brimbank City CouncilVIC | 1,418 | 62% | 36% | 2% |
| City of StirlingWA | 1,277 | 73% | 26% | 1% |
| City of WannerooWA | 1,271 | 71% | 26% | 2% |
| Whittlesea City CouncilVIC | 1,157 | 95% | 5% | 1% |
| Hume City CouncilVIC | 1,133 | 96% | 4% | 0% |
| City of SwanWA | 1,117 | 74% | 25% | 1% |
| Liverpool City CouncilNSW | 1,088 | 75% | 24% | 1% |
| Wyndham City CouncilVIC | 1,044 | 97% | 3% | 0% |
| Fairfield City CouncilNSW | 1,034 | 94% | 5% | 1% |
| Ipswich City CouncilQLD | 993 | 87% | 11% | 2% |
| City of Canterbury-BankstownNSW | 962 | 99% | 1% | 0% |
| City of GosnellsWA | 950 | 71% | 28% | 1% |
| City of SydneyNSW | 871 | 79% | 19% | 1% |
| City of Greater GeelongVIC | 854 | 86% | 13% | 1% |
| City of CanningWA | 850 | 61% | 38% | 1% |
| City of SalisburySA | 850 | 76% | 24% | 0% |
| Cumberland CouncilNSW | 839 | 94% | 5% | 1% |
| The Hills Shire CouncilNSW | 819 | 93% | 6% | 1% |
| Northern Beaches CouncilNSW | 802 | 82% | 16% | 2% |
| City of MelbourneVIC | 777 | 96% | 3% | 1% |
| Whitehorse City CouncilVIC | 758 | 84% | 14% | 2% |
| City of RydeNSW | 745 | 81% | 19% | 0% |
| Bayside CouncilNSW | 744 | 88% | 10% | 2% |
| Monash City CouncilVIC | 724 | 93% | 6% | 2% |
| City of Port Adelaide EnfieldSA | 707 | 82% | 17% | 1% |
| City of CockburnWA | 696 | 66% | 32% | 2% |
| Manningham City CouncilVIC | 694 | 78% | 21% | 1% |
| Office For Multicultural Affairs, ACT GovernmentACT | 670 | 81% | 14% | 5% |
| City of Greater DandenongVIC | 647 | 96% | 2% | 1% |
| City of ArmadaleWA | 640 | 82% | 17% | 1% |
| City of RockinghamWA | 624 | 76% | 23% | 1% |
| City of JoondalupWA | 623 | 59% | 40% | 1% |
| Randwick City CouncilNSW | 610 | 79% | 20% | 1% |
| Penrith City CouncilNSW | 606 | 87% | 12% | 1% |
| City of PlayfordSA | 593 | 80% | 19% | 2% |
| Sunshine Coast Regional CouncilQLD | 577 | 86% | 11% | 3% |
| Port Phillip City CouncilVIC | 543 | 72% | 25% | 3% |
| City of Charles SturtSA | 519 | 69% | 30% | 1% |
| Inner West CouncilNSW | 503 | 81% | 18% | 1% |
| City of KingstonVIC | 496 | 84% | 15% | 2% |
| Knox City CouncilVIC | 469 | 92% | 6% | 1% |
| Stonnington City CouncilVIC | 463 | 72% | 28% | 1% |
| Hobsons Bay City CouncilVIC | 454 | 56% | 43% | 0% |
| City of MandurahWA | 446 | 58% | 35% | 7% |
| Ku-ring-gai CouncilNSW | 442 | 93% | 6% | 1% |
| City of BayswaterWA | 437 | 64% | 25% | 10% |
| City of MarionSA | 436 | 84% | 15% | 1% |
| Hornsby Shire CouncilNSW | 432 | 94% | 5% | 1% |
| City of BelmontWA | 421 | 53% | 43% | 4% |
| Camden CouncilNSW | 416 | 77% | 22% | 1% |
| Glen Eira City CouncilVIC | 416 | 90% | 8% | 2% |
| City of KwinanaWA | 411 | 71% | 24% | 5% |
| Yarra City CouncilVIC | 398 | 60% | 38% | 3% |
| Cardinia Shire CouncilVIC | 391 | 97% | 2% | 1% |
| Central Coast CouncilNSW | 381 | 92% | 7% | 1% |
| City of MelvilleWA | 361 | 79% | 18% | 3% |
| Campbelltown City CouncilNSW | 358 | 94% | 4% | 1% |
| Georges River CouncilNSW | 357 | 92% | 6% | 1% |
| Boroondara City CouncilVIC | 355 | 90% | 6% | 5% |
| Sutherland Shire CouncilNSW | 352 | 91% | 8% | 1% |
| Moonee Valley City CouncilVIC | 350 | 92% | 8% | 0% |
| Maroondah City CouncilVIC | 335 | 89% | 10% | 1% |
| City of Canada Bay CouncilNSW | 332 | 72% | 28% | 0% |
| Willoughby City CouncilNSW | 332 | 67% | 32% | 2% |
| Waverley CouncilNSW | 328 | 79% | 21% | 0% |
| City of Tea Tree GullySA | 326 | 74% | 25% | 1% |
| Strathfield CouncilNSW | 320 | 58% | 38% | 3% |
| Toowoomba Regional CouncilQLD | 319 | 94% | 5% | 2% |
| City of OnkaparingaSA | 315 | 95% | 4% | 1% |
| Campbelltown City Council - SASA | 301 | 83% | 17% | 1% |
| City of West TorrensSA | 296 | 82% | 18% | 0% |
| North Sydney CouncilNSW | 287 | 89% | 10% | 1% |
| Redland City CouncilQLD | 287 | 88% | 9% | 3% |
| City of BurnsideSA | 277 | 57% | 39% | 4% |
| City of PerthWA | 274 | 59% | 38% | 2% |
| Frankston City CouncilVIC | 272 | 91% | 7% | 2% |
| Cairns Regional CouncilQLD | 270 | 91% | 6% | 2% |
| Merri-bek City CouncilVIC | 252 | 97% | 3% | 0% |
| Darebin City CouncilVIC | 243 | 95% | 4% | 1% |
| Maribyrnong City CouncilVIC | 242 | 90% | 10% | 1% |
| Greater Shepparton City CouncilVIC | 241 | 95% | 4% | 1% |
| Town of Victoria ParkWA | 240 | 63% | 34% | 4% |
| City of DarwinNT | 236 | 88% | 10% | 3% |
| City of South PerthWA | 234 | 62% | 36% | 2% |
| Shire of Serpentine JarrahdaleWA | 231 | 52% | 43% | 4% |
| City of VincentWA | 230 | 57% | 38% | 5% |
| Bayside City CouncilVIC | 206 | 85% | 11% | 4% |
| City of BallaratVIC | 201 | 94% | 5% | 0% |
| Banyule City CouncilVIC | 195 | 94% | 4% | 2% |
| Yarra Ranges Shire CouncilVIC | 194 | 95% | 3% | 2% |
| Mitchell Shire CouncilVIC | 180 | 97% | 3% | 1% |
| Tweed Shire CouncilNSW | 178 | 87% | 8% | 5% |
| Mornington Peninsula Shire CouncilVIC | 176 | 96% | 3% | 1% |
| Mildura Rural City CouncilVIC | 172 | 45% | 51% | 4% |
| City of MitchamSA | 165 | 77% | 22% | 1% |
| Lane Cove CouncilNSW | 156 | 88% | 10% | 1% |
| Lake Macquarie City CouncilNSW | 155 | 88% | 12% | 1% |
| Newcastle City CouncilNSW | 154 | 94% | 5% | 1% |
| City of Norwood Payneham and St PetersSA | 153 | 89% | 11% | 0% |
| Townsville City CouncilQLD | 151 | 89% | 8% | 3% |
| City of KalamundaWA | 146 | 96% | 1% | 3% |
| Wollongong City CouncilNSW | 146 | 97% | 3% | 0% |
| Mackay Regional CouncilQLD | 144 | 91% | 8% | 1% |
| Woollahra Municipal CouncilNSW | 143 | 87% | 13% | 1% |
| Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional CouncilNSW | 137 | 59% | 36% | 4% |
| City of UnleySA | 135 | 61% | 37% | 1% |
| Alice Springs Town CouncilNT | 130 | 68% | 28% | 3% |
| Noosa CouncilQLD | 128 | 62% | 29% | 9% |
| City of HobartTAS | 127 | 72% | 24% | 5% |
| Hawkesbury City CouncilNSW | 125 | 61% | 38% | 2% |
| City of FremantleWA | 118 | 69% | 28% | 3% |
| City of AdelaideSA | 117 | 92% | 7% | 1% |
| Gladstone Regional CouncilQLD | 116 | 44% | 53% | 3% |
| Clarence City CouncilTAS | 114 | 69% | 27% | 4% |
| Fraser Coast Regional CouncilQLD | 112 | 86% | 12% | 3% |
| Maitland City CouncilNSW | 112 | 94% | 5% | 1% |
| Bundaberg Regional CouncilQLD | 109 | 86% | 11% | 3% |
| City of SubiacoWA | 109 | 58% | 37% | 6% |
| Latrobe City CouncilVIC | 107 | 90% | 10% | 0% |
| Town of CambridgeWA | 104 | 60% | 35% | 6% |
| Burwood CouncilNSW | 101 | 91% | 8% | 1% |
| City of KarrathaWA | 101 | 64% | 34% | 2% |
| City of Greater BendigoVIC | 99 | 93% | 7% | 0% |
| Rockhampton Regional CouncilQLD | 96 | 93% | 5% | 2% |
| City of Coffs HarbourNSW | 92 | 88% | 7% | 5% |
| Glenorchy City CouncilTAS | 91 | 98% | 1% | 1% |
| Byron Shire CouncilNSW | 88 | 84% | 15% | 1% |
| Lockyer Valley Regional CouncilQLD | 88 | 74% | 25% | 1% |
| Shoalhaven City CouncilNSW | 85 | 93% | 7% | 0% |
| Wollondilly Shire CouncilNSW | 84 | 56% | 38% | 6% |
| City of Wagga WaggaNSW | 83 | 95% | 4% | 1% |
| Port Stephens CouncilNSW | 83 | 63% | 37% | 0% |
| City Of PalmerstonNT | 82 | 95% | 4% | 1% |
| Kingborough CouncilTAS | 82 | 78% | 20% | 2% |
| Baw Baw Shire CouncilVIC | 81 | 99% | 1% | 0% |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings CouncilNSW | 80 | 74% | 21% | 5% |
| City of Holdfast BaySA | 74 | 88% | 12% | 0% |
| Shire of HarveyWA | 74 | 65% | 32% | 3% |
| Wingecarribee Shire CouncilNSW | 73 | 77% | 19% | 4% |
| City of NedlandsWA | 72 | 65% | 31% | 4% |
| Blue Mountains City CouncilNSW | 69 | 75% | 25% | 0% |
| City of LauncestonTAS | 67 | 90% | 9% | 1% |
| Town of BassendeanWA | 67 | 52% | 45% | 3% |
| Mount Barker District CouncilSA | 64 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Mid Coast CouncilNSW | 63 | 78% | 22% | 0% |
| Orange City CouncilNSW | 62 | 85% | 8% | 6% |
| East Gippsland Shire CouncilVIC | 61 | 92% | 8% | 0% |
| Ballina Shire CouncilNSW | 60 | 92% | 2% | 7% |
| Shellharbour City CouncilNSW | 60 | 90% | 8% | 2% |
| Nillumbik Shire CouncilVIC | 59 | 93% | 7% | 0% |
| City of Greater GeraldtonWA | 56 | 86% | 13% | 2% |
| Surf Coast Shire CouncilVIC | 56 | 52% | 45% | 4% |
| Albury City CouncilNSW | 55 | 93% | 4% | 4% |
| City of BunburyWA | 53 | 89% | 11% | 0% |
| City of ProspectSA | 52 | 90% | 10% | 0% |
| Whitsunday Regional CouncilQLD | 52 | 79% | 19% | 2% |
| City of Kalgoorlie-BoulderWA | 50 | 94% | 6% | 0% |
| City of BusseltonWA | 49 | 90% | 8% | 2% |
| Moorabool Shire CouncilVIC | 49 | 96% | 4% | 0% |
| Mosman CouncilNSW | 48 | 92% | 2% | 6% |
| Shire of MundaringWA | 48 | 92% | 6% | 2% |
| Town of Port HedlandWA | 47 | 83% | 17% | 0% |
| Shire of Augusta-Margaret RiverWA | 46 | 76% | 13% | 11% |
| Bass Coast Shire CouncilVIC | 45 | 96% | 4% | 0% |
| West Tamar CouncilTAS | 45 | 89% | 9% | 2% |
| Mount Isa City CouncilQLD | 44 | 75% | 14% | 11% |
| Dubbo Regional CouncilNSW | 42 | 90% | 7% | 2% |
| Griffith City CouncilNSW | 39 | 90% | 10% | 0% |
| Moira Shire CouncilVIC | 39 | 95% | 5% | 0% |
| Tamworth Regional CouncilNSW | 39 | 95% | 3% | 3% |
| Cessnock City CouncilNSW | 38 | 97% | 3% | 0% |
| Scenic Rim Regional CouncilQLD | 38 | 87% | 11% | 3% |
| Western Downs Regional CouncilQLD | 38 | 66% | 24% | 11% |
| Wodonga City CouncilVIC | 38 | 89% | 11% | 0% |
| Adelaide Hills CouncilSA | 37 | 70% | 24% | 5% |
| City of Mount GambierSA | 37 | 51% | 46% | 3% |
| Shire of CapelWA | 37 | 89% | 11% | 0% |
| Town of ClaremontWA | 35 | 77% | 20% | 3% |
| City of AlbanyWA | 34 | 71% | 26% | 3% |
| Goulburn Mulwaree CouncilNSW | 34 | 79% | 21% | 0% |
| Lismore City CouncilNSW | 34 | 74% | 26% | 0% |
| South Burnett Regional CouncilQLD | 34 | 85% | 15% | 0% |
| Warrnambool City CouncilVIC | 33 | 91% | 9% | 0% |
| Colac Otway Shire CouncilVIC | 32 | 91% | 6% | 3% |
| Southern Downs Regional CouncilQLD | 32 | 84% | 13% | 3% |
| Gympie Regional CouncilQLD | 31 | 77% | 19% | 3% |
| Town of Mosman ParkWA | 30 | 93% | 0% | 7% |
| Benalla Rural City CouncilVIC | 29 | 76% | 24% | 0% |
| Armidale Regional CouncilNSW | 28 | 89% | 11% | 0% |
| Somerset Regional CouncilQLD | 28 | 96% | 4% | 0% |
| Wellington Shire CouncilVIC | 28 | 93% | 4% | 4% |
| Shire of MurrayWA | 27 | 96% | 0% | 4% |
| Alexandrina CouncilSA | 26 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Bathurst Regional CouncilNSW | 26 | 92% | 8% | 0% |
| Corangamite Shire CouncilVIC | 26 | 77% | 23% | 0% |
| Maranoa Regional CouncilQLD | 26 | 65% | 27% | 8% |
| Eurobodalla Shire CouncilNSW | 25 | 92% | 8% | 0% |
| Burnie City CouncilTAS | 24 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Cassowary Coast Regional CouncilQLD | 23 | 57% | 39% | 4% |
| Goondiwindi Regional CouncilQLD | 23 | 83% | 13% | 4% |
| Shire of East PilbaraWA | 22 | 95% | 5% | 0% |
| Campaspe Shire CouncilVIC | 21 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Douglas Shire CouncilQLD | 21 | 95% | 5% | 0% |
| Mareeba Shire CouncilQLD | 21 | 67% | 33% | 0% |
| Shire of BroomeWA | 21 | 86% | 10% | 5% |
| Wangaratta Rural City CouncilVIC | 21 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Devonport City CouncilTAS | 20 | 95% | 5% | 0% |
| Shire of ChitteringWA | 20 | 90% | 10% | 0% |
| Livingstone Shire CouncilQLD | 19 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Muswellbrook Shire CouncilNSW | 19 | 95% | 0% | 5% |
| Parkes Shire CouncilNSW | 19 | 37% | 63% | 0% |
| Strathbogie Shire CouncilVIC | 19 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Central Highlands Regional CouncilQLD | 18 | 72% | 6% | 22% |
| Litchfield CouncilNT | 18 | 67% | 22% | 11% |
| Lithgow City CouncilNSW | 18 | 94% | 6% | 0% |
| Macedon Ranges Shire CouncilVIC | 18 | 89% | 6% | 6% |
| Shire of AshburtonWA | 18 | 94% | 6% | 0% |
| Roxby CouncilSA | 17 | 71% | 29% | 0% |
| Adelaide Plains CouncilSA | 16 | 81% | 0% | 19% |
| Bega Valley Shire CouncilNSW | 16 | 94% | 6% | 0% |
| Clarence Valley CouncilNSW | 16 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Naracoorte Lucindale CouncilSA | 16 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| The Rural City of Murray BridgeSA | 16 | 94% | 6% | 0% |
| Town of CottesloeWA | 16 | 88% | 6% | 6% |
| Upper Hunter Shire CouncilNSW | 16 | 88% | 6% | 6% |
| Hilltops CouncilNSW | 15 | 93% | 7% | 0% |
| Hunter's Hill CouncilNSW | 15 | 87% | 13% | 0% |
| Snowy Monaro Regional CouncilNSW | 15 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| South Gippsland Shire CouncilVIC | 15 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Town of East FremantleWA | 15 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Berrigan Shire CouncilNSW | 14 | 79% | 21% | 0% |
| Brighton CouncilTAS | 14 | 50% | 43% | 7% |
| Edward River CouncilNSW | 14 | 93% | 7% | 0% |
| Lachlan Shire CouncilNSW | 14 | 36% | 64% | 0% |
| Light Regional CouncilSA | 14 | 93% | 7% | 0% |
| Mount Alexander Shire CouncilVIC | 14 | 79% | 14% | 7% |
| Richmond Valley CouncilNSW | 14 | 93% | 7% | 0% |
| Shire of GinginWA | 13 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Swan Hill Rural City CouncilVIC | 13 | 92% | 8% | 0% |
| Tablelands Regional CouncilQLD | 13 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| The Barossa CouncilSA | 13 | 85% | 15% | 0% |
| Bellingen Shire CouncilNSW | 12 | 75% | 25% | 0% |
| Kangaroo Island CouncilSA | 12 | 92% | 8% | 0% |
| Moyne Shire CouncilVIC | 12 | 92% | 8% | 0% |
| Snowy Valleys CouncilNSW | 12 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Sorell CouncilTAS | 12 | 92% | 8% | 0% |
| District Council of YankalillaSA | 11 | 45% | 55% | 0% |
| Glenelg Shire CouncilVIC | 11 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Kiama Municipal CouncilNSW | 11 | 73% | 18% | 9% |
| Mansfield Shire CouncilVIC | 11 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Murray River CouncilNSW | 11 | 82% | 18% | 0% |
| Narrabri Shire CouncilNSW | 11 | 64% | 27% | 9% |
| Shire of CarnarvonWA | 11 | 64% | 36% | 0% |
| Town of GawlerSA | 11 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Town of WalkervilleSA | 11 | 82% | 18% | 0% |
| Borough of QueenscliffeVIC | 10 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Burdekin Shire CouncilQLD | 10 | 90% | 10% | 0% |
| Central Goldfields Shire CouncilVIC | 10 | 40% | 50% | 10% |
| Shire of Wyndham-East KimberleyWA | 10 | 60% | 20% | 20% |
| Warren Shire CouncilNSW | 10 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Ararat Rural City CouncilVIC | 9 | 89% | 11% | 0% |
| Gunnedah Shire CouncilNSW | 9 | 89% | 11% | 0% |
| Horsham Rural City CouncilVIC | 9 | 89% | 11% | 0% |
| Junee Shire CouncilNSW | 9 | 56% | 33% | 11% |
| Leeton Shire CouncilNSW | 9 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Meander Valley CouncilTAS | 9 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Murrindindi Shire CouncilVIC | 9 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Nambucca Valley CouncilNSW | 9 | 78% | 22% | 0% |
| Shire of EsperanceWA | 9 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Shire of ManjimupWA | 9 | 89% | 11% | 0% |
| Shire of WaginWA | 9 | 22% | 78% | 0% |
| Shire of YorkWA | 9 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Singleton CouncilNSW | 9 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Alpine Shire CouncilVIC | 8 | 75% | 13% | 13% |
| Berri Barmera CouncilSA | 8 | 63% | 38% | 0% |
| City of Victor HarborSA | 8 | 88% | 13% | 0% |
| Hepburn Shire CouncilVIC | 8 | 75% | 13% | 13% |
| Shire of DardanupWA | 8 | 63% | 25% | 13% |
| Wakefield Regional CouncilSA | 8 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Banana Shire CouncilQLD | 7 | 86% | 0% | 14% |
| Break O'Day CouncilTAS | 7 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Central Coast Council - TASTAS | 7 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Golden Plains Shire CouncilVIC | 7 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Huon Valley CouncilTAS | 7 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Inverell Shire CouncilNSW | 7 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Lower Eyre CouncilSA | 7 | 71% | 14% | 14% |
| Shire of CollieWA | 7 | 14% | 86% | 0% |
| Shire of Shark BayWA | 7 | 29% | 43% | 29% |
| Tatiara District CouncilSA | 7 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Warrumbungle Shire CouncilNSW | 7 | 86% | 14% | 0% |
| Yass Valley CouncilNSW | 7 | 86% | 14% | 0% |
| Broken Hill City CouncilNSW | 6 | 83% | 17% | 0% |
| Cabonne CouncilNSW | 6 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Central Darling Shire CouncilNSW | 6 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| District Council of Coober PedySA | 6 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Mid-Western Regional CouncilNSW | 6 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Shire of ToodyayWA | 6 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Shire of Victoria PlainsWA | 6 | 50% | 50% | 0% |
| Southern Mallee District CouncilSA | 6 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Temora Shire CouncilNSW | 6 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Uralla Shire CouncilNSW | 6 | 83% | 17% | 0% |
| Kempsey Shire CouncilNSW | 5 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Moree Plains Shire CouncilNSW | 5 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Shire of DalwallinuWA | 5 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Shire of Derby / West KimberleyWA | 5 | 60% | 40% | 0% |
| Shire of ExmouthWA | 5 | 60% | 20% | 20% |
| Shire of NorthamWA | 5 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Shire of NorthamptonWA | 5 | 80% | 0% | 20% |
| Shire of PlantagenetWA | 5 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Southern Grampians Shire CouncilVIC | 5 | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Waratah - Wynyard CouncilTAS | 5 | 80% | 0% | 20% |
| Aurukun Shire CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Balonne Shire CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Balranald Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Barcaldine Regional CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Barcoo Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Barkly Regional CouncilNT | <5 | - | - | - |
| Barunga West CouncilSA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Belyuen Community Government CouncilNT | 0 | - | - | - |
| Blackall-Tambo Regional CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Bland Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Blayney Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Bogan Shire CouncilNSW | 0 | - | - | - |
| Boulia Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Bourke Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Brewarrina Shire CouncilNSW | 0 | - | - | - |
| Bulloo Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Buloke Shire CouncilVIC | <5 | - | - | - |
| Burke Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Carpentaria Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Carrathool Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Central Desert Regional CouncilNT | <5 | - | - | - |
| Central Highlands CouncilTAS | <5 | - | - | - |
| Charters Towers Regional CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Circular Head CouncilTAS | <5 | - | - | - |
| City of Port LincolnSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| City of WhyallaSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Clare and Gilbert Valleys CouncilSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Cloncurry Shire CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Cobar Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Cook Shire CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Coolamon Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Coomalie Community Government CouncilNT | <5 | - | - | - |
| Coonamble Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Coorong District CouncilSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Copper Coast CouncilSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Cowra Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Croydon Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Derwent Valley CouncilTAS | <5 | - | - | - |
| Diamantina Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| District Council of CedunaSA | 0 | - | - | - |
| District Council of CleveSA | 0 | - | - | - |
| District Council of EllistonSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| District Council of Franklin HarbourSA | 0 | - | - | - |
| District Council of Karoonda East MurraySA | 0 | - | - | - |
| District Council of KimbaSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| District Council of Loxton WaikerieSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| District Council of Mount RemarkableSA | 0 | - | - | - |
| District Council of Orroroo CarrietonSA | 0 | - | - | - |
| District Council of PeterboroughSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| District Council of RobeSA | 0 | - | - | - |
| District Council of Streaky BaySA | <5 | - | - | - |
| District Council of Tumby BaySA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Dorset CouncilTAS | <5 | - | - | - |
| Dungog Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| East Arnhem Regional CouncilNT | 0 | - | - | - |
| Etheridge Shire CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Federation CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Flinders CouncilTAS | 0 | - | - | - |
| Flinders Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Forbes Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Gannawarra Shire CouncilVIC | 0 | - | - | - |
| George Town CouncilTAS | <5 | - | - | - |
| Gilgandra Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Glamorgan Spring Bay CouncilTAS | <5 | - | - | - |
| Glen Innes Severn CouncilNSW | 0 | - | - | - |
| Greater Hume CouncilNSW | 0 | - | - | - |
| Groote Archipelago Regional CouncilNT | <5 | - | - | - |
| Gwydir Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Hay Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Hinchinbrook Shire CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Hindmarsh Shire CouncilVIC | <5 | - | - | - |
| Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Indigo Shire CouncilVIC | <5 | - | - | - |
| Isaac Regional CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Katherine Town CouncilNT | <5 | - | - | - |
| Kentish CouncilTAS | <5 | - | - | - |
| King Island CouncilTAS | 0 | - | - | - |
| Kingston District CouncilSA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Kyogle CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Latrobe CouncilTAS | <5 | - | - | - |
| Liverpool Plains Shire CouncilNSW | 0 | - | - | - |
| Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Lockhart Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Loddon Shire CouncilVIC | <5 | - | - | - |
| Longreach Regional CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| MacDonnell Regional CouncilNT | <5 | - | - | - |
| Mapoon Aboriginal Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| McKinlay Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Mid Murray CouncilSA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Mornington Shire CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Murrumbidgee CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Murweh Shire CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Napranum Aborignal Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Narrandera Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Narromine Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| North Burnett Regional CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Northern Areas CouncilSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Northern Grampians Shire CouncilVIC | <5 | - | - | - |
| Northern Midlands CouncilTAS | <5 | - | - | - |
| Northern Peninsula Area Regional CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Oberon CouncilNSW | 0 | - | - | - |
| Palm Island Aboriginal Shire CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Paroo Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Port Augusta City CouncilSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Port Pirie Regional CouncilSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Pyrenees Shire CouncilVIC | <5 | - | - | - |
| Quilpie Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Regional Council of GoyderSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Renmark Paringa CouncilSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Richmond Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Roper Gulf Regional CouncilNT | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of BeverleyWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of BoddingtonWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Boyup BrookWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Bridgetown-GreenbushesWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of BrooktonWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Broomehill-TambellupWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Bruce RockWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of CarnamahWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Chapman ValleyWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Christmas IslandWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Cocos (Keeling) IslandsWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of CoolgardieWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of CoorowWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of CorriginWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of CranbrookWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of CuballingWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of CueWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of CunderdinWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of DandaraganWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of DenmarkWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Donnybrook-BalingupWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of DowerinWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of DumbleyungWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of DundasWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of GnowangerupWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of GoomallingWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Halls CreekWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of IrwinWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of JerramungupWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of KatanningWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of KellerberrinWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of KentWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of KojonupWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of KondininWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of KoordaWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of KulinWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Lake GraceWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of LavertonWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of LeonoraWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of MeekatharraWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of MenziesWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of MerredinWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of MingenewWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of MooraWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of MorawaWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Mount MagnetWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Mt MarshallWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of MukinbudinWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of MurchisonWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of NannupWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of NarembeenWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of NarroginWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of NgaanyatjarrakuWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of NungarinWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Peppermint GroveWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of PerenjoriWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of PingellyWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of QuairadingWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of RavensthorpeWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of SandstoneWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of TamminWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Three SpringsWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of TrayningWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Upper GascoyneWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of WanderingWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of WaroonaWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of West ArthurWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of WestoniaWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of WickepinWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of WilliamsWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of WilunaWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of Wongan-BalliduWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of WoodanillingWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of WyalkatchemWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Shire of YalgooWA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Shire of YilgarnWA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Southern Limestone Coast CouncilSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Southern Midlands CouncilTAS | <5 | - | - | - |
| Tasman CouncilTAS | 0 | - | - | - |
| Tenterfield Shire CouncilNSW | 0 | - | - | - |
| The Flinders Ranges CouncilSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Tiwi Islands Regional CouncilNT | <5 | - | - | - |
| Torres Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Torres Strait Island Regional CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Towong Shire CouncilVIC | <5 | - | - | - |
| Upper Lachlan Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Victoria Daly Regional CouncilNT | 0 | - | - | - |
| Wagait Shire CouncilNT | 0 | - | - | - |
| Walcha CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| Walgett Shire CouncilNSW | 0 | - | - | - |
| Wattle Range CouncilSA | <5 | - | - | - |
| Weddin Shire CouncilNSW | 0 | - | - | - |
| Wentworth Shire CouncilNSW | <5 | - | - | - |
| West Arnhem Regional CouncilNT | <5 | - | - | - |
| West Coast CouncilTAS | <5 | - | - | - |
| West Daly Regional CouncilNT | <5 | - | - | - |
| West Wimmera Shire CouncilVIC | 0 | - | - | - |
| Winton Shire CouncilQLD | <5 | - | - | - |
| Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Wudinna District CouncilSA | 0 | - | - | - |
| Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire CouncilQLD | 0 | - | - | - |
| Yarriambiack Shire CouncilVIC | <5 | - | - | - |
| Yorke Peninsula CouncilSA | <5 | - | - | - |
What this can't tell you
- The date of your ceremony. The Department says invitations arrive about four weeks before the event, from your council or the Department.
- Whether you can move to another council. The Department says the ceremony you attend is set by your current residential address and you cannot choose where or when.
- How long people now joining the list will wait. The figures describe who was waiting at 31 Oct 2026.
Councils with fewer than 20 people waiting have no page of their own: with so few people, one person moves the shares by 5 points or more.
Longest waits: share waiting 3 months or more
| Council | Waiting | 3 months or more |
|---|---|---|
| Gladstone Regional CouncilQLD | 116 | 56% |
| Mildura Rural City CouncilVIC | 172 | 55% |
| Surf Coast Shire CouncilVIC | 56 | 49% |
| City of Mount GambierSA | 37 | 49% |
| Town of BassendeanWA | 67 | 48% |
| City of BelmontWA | 421 | 47% |
| Shire of Serpentine JarrahdaleWA | 231 | 47% |
| Moreton Bay Regional CouncilQLD | 2,045 | 44% |
| Wollondilly Shire CouncilNSW | 84 | 44% |
| City of SubiacoWA | 109 | 43% |
Councils with 20 or more waiting.
Citizenship ceremony wait times by state: VIC has the most waiting, WA the lowest share under 3 months
Each state's shares are weighted by the number waiting in each council. Councils showing "<5" are left out of the shares.
| State or territory | Councils | Waiting | <3 mo | 3–6 mo | >6 mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW New South Wales | 128 | 21,240 | 85% | 14% | 1% |
| VIC Victoria | 79 | 21,471 | 88% | 11% | 1% |
| QLD Queensland | 77 | 13,090 | 80% | 16% | 5% |
| WA Western Australia | 139 | 12,882 | 69% | 28% | 2% |
| SA South Australia | 68 | 5,667 | 79% | 20% | 1% |
| TAS Tasmania | 29 | 631 | 82% | 15% | 3% |
| ACT Australian Capital Territory | 1 | 670 | 81% | 14% | 5% |
| NT Northern Territory | 18 | 466 | 83% | 14% | 3% |
How to read the ceremony wait figures: 5 things to know
- The people counted are approved applicants who have not yet had their ceremony, including those already invited to one, at 31 October 2026.
- The time is how long each of them had been waiting since approval at that date. It is not the full wait of people who have already had their ceremony.
- Councils with 1 to 4 people waiting are shown as "<5". The Department masks these for privacy.
- The three shares may not add up to 100% because of rounding.
- The Department publishes only the current month. We started keeping a copy on 13 November 2026, so this page has no earlier history.
How long from approval to ceremony? 90% within 6 months, nationally
The Department's citizenship processing times measure the full wait for people who had their ceremony in the reporting month: 50% within 4 months of approval, 90% within 6 months. The council figures above count people still waiting. See Australian citizenship processing time for the decision times and history.
9 questions about citizenship ceremony wait times
How long is the citizenship ceremony wait in Australia?
On 31 October 2026, 76,117 approved applicants were waiting for a ceremony. 81% had waited less than 3 months since approval, 16% 3 to 6 months and 2% more than 6 months. On its processing times page the Department says 90% of approved conferral applicants have the opportunity to attend a ceremony within 6 months of approval.
Which council has the longest citizenship ceremony wait?
Among councils with 20 or more people waiting, the highest shares waiting 3 months or more were Gladstone Regional Council (QLD, 56%), Mildura Rural City Council (VIC, 55%), Surf Coast Shire Council (VIC, 49%).
Which councils have the most people waiting for a ceremony?
Brisbane City Council (QLD): 3,589; City of Casey (VIC): 2,518; Blacktown City Council (NSW): 2,292.
Who organises citizenship ceremonies?
The Department says ceremonies are usually organised by local government councils. Which council-hosted ceremony you attend is set by your current residential address.
Can I choose where and when to attend my citizenship ceremony?
No. The Department says you cannot choose where and when to attend your ceremony.
How will I be invited to my citizenship ceremony?
The Department says you will be invited about four weeks before the event, by a letter from your local council or from the Department of Home Affairs.
Why is the ceremony wait different between councils?
The Department says the wait depends on demand in your local government area, and that having family members linked to your application may also affect your wait.
What does "<5" mean for my council?
Between 1 and 4 approved applicants were waiting. The Department masks numbers that small for privacy.
Is this a government website?
No. Visa Processing Time is independent and is not affiliated with the Department of Home Affairs.