During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government has conferred citizenship to more than 60,000 people through online ceremonies, while some in-person ceremonies have also resumed since 03 June 2020. As a result, in the financial year 2019-2020, a record number of 204,817 people were conferred Australian citizenship, an increase of over 60 per cent from the previous financial year, where 127,674 people were conferred Australian citizenship.
The Hon Alan Tudge MP, the Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs has recently stated that, “When someone becomes a citizen, they make a pledge to uphold Australia’s rights, liberties, laws and democratic values. It represents a willingness to integrate into our successful multicultural nation…Being an Australian citizen is an immense privilege, which brings both rights and responsibilities. I congratulate all those who have taken this important step.”
The table below shows the former nationality and the number of people who were conferred Australian citizenship in 2019-20 (01 July 2019 to 30 June 2020).
| NATIONALITY | NO. OF PEOPLE |
| India | 38,209 |
| United Kingdom | 25,011 |
| China (mainland China only) | 14,764 |
| Philippines | 12,838 |
| Pakistan | 8,821 |
| Vietnam | 6,804 |
| Sri Lanka | 6,195 |
| South Africa | 5,438 |
| New Zealand | 5,367 |
| Afghanistan | 5,102 |
| Other | 76,268 |
| Total | 204,817 |
*Source: Department of Home Affairs
The Department has also resumed conducting citizenship interviews and testing in Perth and Sydney regions, and are expecting to resume these services in more locations at the earliest. If you have any questions or are seeking advice on this issue, Discuss Your Situation with us or call us on (02) 4626 100 to speak to one of our Registered Migration Agents who can help you.