Greece’s Consul General in Sydney, George Skemperis, has announced a series of measures aimed at improving consular services and significantly reducing long-standing appointment delays for the Greek Australian community.
Speaking at a community reception in Sydney this week, Skemperis addressed growing demand for citizenship registrations and passport services, acknowledging that extended waiting periods in recent years have caused frustration among applicants.
“I think it is unacceptable to be offering appointments years into the future,” he told attendees, signalling that reforms are now underway.
Increased staffing levels
The Consul General explained that delays in recent years were driven by a combination of reduced staffing levels and a substantial increase in applications for Greek citizenship.
He confirmed that staffing at the Consulate has increased significantly over the past 12 months, with new employees recruited in 2025 and additional hires recently finalised. The expansion, he said, reflects the Greek Government’s recognition of the growing needs of the diaspora in Australia.
The staffing boost is intended to restore processing capacity and improve service responsiveness.
Appointment timeframes to be reduced
Skemperis announced that new appointment scheduling arrangements will result in substantially shorter waiting times.
He confirmed that:
- New appointments for citizenship registrations will be scheduled within months rather than years.
- Applicants who previously secured appointments far into the future will be contacted to have those bookings brought forward.
The Consulate will progressively review and reschedule existing appointments to reduce the backlog.
While precise timelines were not detailed publicly, the Consul General indicated that the changes would take effect immediately and that applicants would begin receiving communication from the Consulate in the coming weeks.
Improving public information and preparation
Beyond staffing increases, Skemperis identified public information gaps as a contributing factor to processing delays.
He noted that many applicants arrive without a clear understanding of:
- The distinction between citizenship registration and passport issuance.
- The documentation required for each process.
- The importance of identifying the last ancestor registered in Greece.
- The need for accurate Greek-language registration details.
To address this, the Consulate will implement a structured information strategy aimed at reducing incomplete applications and repeat appointments.
Engagement with community organisations
As part of this approach, representatives from Greek community associations have been invited to attend briefing sessions at the Consulate.
Associations will be encouraged to nominate a designated contact person who can:
- Provide accurate procedural guidance to members.
- Assist applicants in preparing documentation correctly.
- Direct inquiries appropriately before appointments are booked.
The initiative is designed to ensure applicants attend appointments fully prepared, thereby increasing efficiency and enabling more cases to be processed.
Digital outreach to younger applicants
Recognising that many younger Greek Australians may not engage through traditional associations, the Consulate will also launch a social media information campaign.
Short explanatory videos will outline key procedural steps, documentation requirements and common errors to avoid, with the aim of improving clarity and reducing unnecessary administrative delays.
Managing increased passport demand
The Consul General also acknowledged that increased citizenship registrations have led to a rise in passport applications, placing additional pressure on appointment scheduling.
The Consulate is working to balance demand across service categories while maintaining progress in reducing backlogs.
A priority for the new tenure
Skemperis made clear that improving service delivery is a central priority of his tenure in Sydney.
The combination of expanded staffing, revised appointment management and improved public guidance marks the most significant operational adjustment at the Consulate in several years.
Community members in attendance responded positively to the announcement, with many welcoming the commitment to practical reforms and improved accessibility.
Further updates are expected as the new scheduling arrangements and information initiatives are rolled out in the coming months.
