Northern Territory citizenship ceremony wait times, November 2026
466 approved applicants waiting across 18 councils. 83% had waited under 3 months, 3% more than 6 months.
Ceremony wait by state
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 in the Northern Territory on 31 October 2026
NT citizenship ceremony wait times: 83% had waited under 3 months since approval, 14% 3 to 6 months and 3% more than 6 months. Australia: 81%, 16% and 2%.
Official page updated · Waits counted to · Checked by us · Official ceremony wait times
Under 3 months3 to 6 monthsMore than 6 monthsNumber: waiting 3 months or more
Showing 18 of 18 councils
| Council | Waiting | <3 mo | 3–6 mo | >6 mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Darwin | 236 | 88% | 10% | 3% |
| Alice Springs Town Council | 130 | 68% | 28% | 3% |
| City Of Palmerston | 82 | 95% | 4% | 1% |
| Litchfield Council | 18 | 67% | 22% | 11% |
| Barkly Regional Council | <5 | - | - | - |
| Belyuen Community Government Council | 0 | - | - | - |
| Central Desert Regional Council | <5 | - | - | - |
| Coomalie Community Government Council | <5 | - | - | - |
| East Arnhem Regional Council | 0 | - | - | - |
| Groote Archipelago Regional Council | <5 | - | - | - |
| Katherine Town Council | <5 | - | - | - |
| MacDonnell Regional Council | <5 | - | - | - |
| Roper Gulf Regional Council | <5 | - | - | - |
| Tiwi Islands Regional Council | <5 | - | - | - |
| Victoria Daly Regional Council | 0 | - | - | - |
| Wagait Shire Council | 0 | - | - | - |
| West Arnhem Regional Council | <5 | - | - | - |
| West Daly Regional Council | <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.
Longest waits in NT: share waiting 3 months or more
| Council | Waiting | 3 months or more |
|---|---|---|
| Alice Springs Town Council | 130 | 31% |
| City of Darwin | 236 | 13% |
| City Of Palmerston | 82 | 5% |
NT councils with 20 or more waiting.
How to read the NT 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.
Other states and territories: NSW ceremony wait times · VIC ceremony wait times · QLD ceremony wait times · WA ceremony wait times · SA ceremony wait times · TAS ceremony wait times · ACT ceremony wait times. Full decision times: Australian citizenship processing time.
6 questions about NT citizenship ceremony wait times
How long is the citizenship ceremony wait in the Northern Territory?
On 31 October 2026, 466 approved applicants were waiting for a ceremony in the Northern Territory. 83% had waited under 3 months since approval, 14% 3 to 6 months and 3% more than 6 months.
Which NT council has the longest citizenship ceremony wait?
Among NT councils with 20 or more people waiting, the highest shares waiting 3 months or more were Alice Springs Town Council (31%), City of Darwin (13%), City Of Palmerston (5%).
Which NT councils have the most people waiting for a ceremony?
City of Darwin: 236; Alice Springs Town Council: 130; City Of Palmerston: 82.
Can I choose where and when to attend my citizenship ceremony?
No. The Department says the ceremony you attend is set by your current residential address, and you cannot choose where and when.
How will I be invited to my citizenship ceremony?
The Department says invitations arrive about four weeks before the event, by a letter from your local council or from the Department of Home Affairs.
Is this a government website?
No. Visa Processing Time is independent and is not affiliated with the Department of Home Affairs.