The processing time for gaining Australian citizenship has been cut by 42 per cent, down to an average of seven months. This sees the backlog number from the previous government down to its lowest level in six years.
Under the former Liberal Government, the wait time reached over two years due to funding cuts to the Department of Home Affairs.
In 2019, the number of people waiting for citizenship applications was at 221,415. That year also saw the largest ever decline in applications – over 100,000.
“Our Government is committed to cleaning up the backlog and reinstating a citizenship system that is fair, efficient and inclusive,” said Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles.
Giles attended a citizenship ceremony at Knox City Council alongside federal MP Mary Doyle , who was at her first ceremony since being elected to parliament, that saw 250 people received citizenship.
