Highlights
- Citizenship tests resume across all states and territories except Victoria
- Tests to resume in Victoria when Victorian roadmap out of restriction allows
- More than 159,846 applicants still in the queue for citizenship
Victorians will have to wait longer to get their citizenship application processed as metropolitan Melbourne continues to be under lockdown.
Victoria is the only state in the country where citizenship tests and interviews have not resumed after the state was put under a hard lockdown following the second wave of the coronavirus.
Home Affairs: Services to recommence in Victoria when it is safe
A spokesperson from the Department of Home Affairs told SBS Hindi, "In-person citizenship appointments and tests were placed on hold due to COVID-19 risks and restrictions.
"Appointments and tests have recommenced in all Home Affairs sites, except Melbourne."
The Department spokesperson said the appointments will recommence when COVID-19 restrictions allow.
"The Department continues to monitor and adhere to the current restrictions in place across Victoria, with client services to recommence when it is safe to do so and in line with the Victorian Government’s road map out of COVID."
The Victorian Government hopes to move Melbourne to the third step of the city's roadmap out of restrictions on October 19, if case numbers drop enough.
'Nothing we can do': Alan Tudge
When questioned by SBS Hindi about when will the tests be resumed in the state, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs in a multicultural press briefing said Victoria will have to wait.
“To be honest, there's not that much that we can do. In Victoria, there's nothing we can do, right? So, Victoria would probably have, I would say 30 to 40 per cent of all migrants come to Victoria. Maybe say 30 per cent. They're all closed down and the state government - I mean every business is closed down just about.
“Everything's shut as you know, and including the testing centres,” Mr Tudge said.
For those waiting for the tests and ceremonies in Victoria, he said, he hoped the backlog will be cleared when the state reopens.
“[Test centres] are still down [in] Melbourne, which is, of course, our second biggest city and you know where a lot of migrants come.
“Now, once all that's back to normal again, I think we'll be able to very quickly just go through all of the ceremonies once more, as we have been doing, and so that people can quickly and rapidly do the ceremony, get their certificate and become full Australians,” Mr Tudge said.
Tests and interviews resume across Australia
According to the Department of Home Affairs, tests and interviews for Australian citizenship have resumed in the rest of the states and territories across Australia.
“In-person citizenship appointments and tests are resuming across states and territories in accordance with health guidelines.
“In-person citizenship appointments and tests normally conducted by Services Australia have resumed in some regional locations.
“Eligible individuals will be contacted and invited to attend a citizenship appointment or test. There is no need to contact the Department about your citizenship appointment or test,” the Department has said.
Currently, in-person citizenship appointments are available at 22 locations across Australia:
- Department of Home Affairs office, Adelaide SA
- Department of Home Affairs office, Brisbane QLD
- Department of Home Affairs office, Canberra ACT
- Department of Home Affairs office, Cairns QLD
- Department of Home Affairs office, Darwin NT
- Department of Home Affairs office, Hobart TAS
- Department of Home Affairs office, Parramatta NSW
- Department of Home Affairs office, Perth WA
- Department of Home Affairs office, Sydney NSW
- Services Australia office, Albany WA
- Services Australia office, Bunbury WA
- Services Australia office, Bundaberg QLD
- Services Australia office, Geraldton WA
- Services Australia office, Kalgoorlie WA
- Services Australia office, Karratha WA
- Services Australia office, Kawana Waters QLD
- Services Australia office, Mackay QLD
- Services Australia office, Mount Isa QLD
- Services Australia office, Rockhampton QLD
- Services Australia office, South Hedland WA
- Services Australia office, Toowoomba QLD
- Services Australia office, Townsville QLD
As of August 31, 2020, 159,846 applicants were still awaiting the outcome of their citizenship application.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania
