Backlogged Loyalty: The Australian Citizenship Conundrum

The Brisbane City Council’s backlog of citizenship ceremonies has left thousands of families in a precarious position, caught between their desire to pledge loyalty to Australia and their need for a passport to travel back home. For Hao Shen and his family, the decision to attend a ceremony is no longer just about committing to their adopted country – it’s also about navigating the complexities of international travel.

Shen, a 43-year-old civil engineer, has lived in Australia long enough to know he wants to stay here forever. His wife, a biotechnology scientist, and their Australian-born children are all set to make the same commitment when Shen finally attends his citizenship ceremony. However, with the waiting list for ceremonies in the Brisbane City Council area stretching to 7,223 approved applicants – the longest in Australia – it’s a wait that could take up to a year.

The financial implications of being without an Australian passport are significant. If Shen and his wife fly back to China to see his father-in-law, who has fallen ill with liver cancer, they’ll have to pay a $1,475 resident return visa fee on their way home – more than triple the cost since July this year. On the other hand, if they wait until after they’ve attended their citizenship ceremony, they’ll be eligible for Australian passports and won’t have to pay for visas.

This is not just an issue for Shen and his family; it’s a broader problem that affects thousands of Australians who are waiting to take part in the country’s citizenship ceremonies. The Brisbane City Council has promised to put on more ceremonies in 2026, but it remains unclear when exactly they will happen. As a result, families like Shen’s are being forced to put their travel plans on hold and wait – often for months or even years.

The issue raises questions about the efficiency of Australia’s citizenship process and the role that local councils play in hosting ceremonies. While the Department of Home Affairs claims to be “actively engaged” with councils about their waiting lists, it’s clear that more needs to be done to address this problem. Neighboring councils like Logan are able to hold multiple ceremonies on the same day, suggesting that there is a solution to be found.

As Australia continues to grow and attract new citizens from around the world, it’s essential that the country gets its citizenship process right. This means streamlining the application process, reducing waiting times for approved applicants, and providing more support to families who are waiting to take part in ceremonies. The federal government has committed to promoting the takeup of Australian citizenship and ensuring the efficient processing of applications – but it’s time for action, not just words.

By addressing this issue and finding ways to reduce waiting times for approved applicants, Australia can show its new citizens that they are valued and appreciated members of society. Until then, families like Shen’s will continue to face a difficult and uncertain wait. The federal government must take concrete steps to address the backlog and provide a more efficient citizenship process.

The waiting list for citizenship ceremonies in Brisbane is just one symptom of a larger problem – a problem that requires a coordinated effort from all levels of government to solve. It’s time for Australia to get its house in order and provide a more streamlined process for new citizens to take part in the country’s citizenship ceremonies.