Step 3: Attend an interview – Other situations
On this page
The appointment
Make an appointment for an interview by ringing the Citizenship Information Line. The department will send you a letter confirming the details.
Telephone: 131 880
The interview
At your interview, the interviewing officer will:
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review your application and documents to make sure they are complete
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assess whether you understand the nature of the application (if required)
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assess whether you have an adequate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship (16 and 17 year olds)
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assess whether you have a basic knowledge of the English language (16 and 17 year olds).
See: Documentation requirements
The approval
You will receive written advice on whether or not your application has been approved.
Processing time can vary. Around 90 per cent of applications are decided within 90 days of lodgement.
Where do I go next?
If your application is approved, generally you will received your evidence of Australian citizenship by mail. However, if you are in the following groups of people you will be required to attend a Citizenship Ceremony:
- people aged 16 and 17 years
- people over the age of 60 years
- people with a permanent loss or a substantial impairment of hearing, speech or sight.
See: Step 4: Attend a citizenship ceremony - Other situations
If your application is not approved, you will be advised of your review rights.