When you see a form status “ATO: Queued”, it generally means:
  • The ATO has received your form / lodgement.
  • It’s waiting in their processing queue for further review or manual checks.
  • Processing won’t necessarily be immediate, the timing depends on ATO workload, complexity of the form, or whether they need to do additional verification.
For Company Tax Return (CTR):

What “ATO: Queued” Probably Means (for a Company Tax Return)

  1. ATO Has Received the Return
    • The return has been lodged and accepted by ATO’s system, but it's not yet under active processing.
    • It’s waiting its turn in a queue, likely because of system load or prioritisation.
  2. Backlog / Processing Delay
    • There may be a volume of lodgments, so not everything is processed instantly.
    • Complex returns (or those needing additional checks) may stay in the queue longer.
    • If there are manual reviews or identity verifications, that could slow things down.
  3. Service Commitment
    • The ATO aims to process most electronically-lodged returns within 12 business days. ato.gov.au
    • But if there are complications (e.g., cross-checks with other agencies, debt issues, or verification), it can take longer. ato.gov.au+2ato.gov.au+2
  4. Agent System Quirks
    • For tax agents lodging on behalf of companies: sometimes the “lodged” status in their software or on ATO’s agent portal doesn’t show up immediately. According to ATO, this delay can be up to 28 days for some client types. ato.gov.au+1
    • The delay could be related to system updates, queue handling, or reconciling with ATO systems.

What You / Your Tax Agent Can Do

  • Wait a Bit: Given “Queued,” it’s likely just in line for processing; not necessarily an error.
  • Monitor Progress: Keep checking the status via ATO’s Online Services (or your tax agent’s portal).
  • Contact ATO: If it’s been much longer than the typical 12 business days or over 28 days (in agent systems), you or your agent can call ATO’s Practitioner Lodgment Service to ask for an update.
  • Provide More Info: If the ATO needs more details (e.g., about income, identity, or previous lodgments), be ready to supply them.


If you’re concerned that it's taking too long:
  • You can check with your tax agent (if you used one).
  • You can contact the ATO directly via their business or tax-agent line.