What Happens At An Australian Citizenship Ceremony?

A citizenship ceremony is the final step on the pathway to becoming an Australian Citizen. It is an important ceremony as it formally welcomes you to Australia as a new citizen. 

The team here at Summit Migration have assisted many people to become Australian Citizens and a question we are often asked is:

What actually happens at the Australian citizenship ceremony? 

Citizenship ceremonies are simple, dignified events. You might want to review our post on some of the benefits of becoming an Australian Citizen. Here are some things to keep in mind for when you attend a citizenship ceremony:

Prior to the event. 

• • It is organised by the department of immigration, who also notify local councils about new citizens in their area.
  • Your local council will contact you about the upcoming citizenship ceremony in your area.
  • Registration. Generally, you should try to keep at least 2-3 hours free in your calendar for the ceremony. You might want to arrive around a half hour early in order to get registered with your identity document. 
  • Bring a photo identity document that proves who you are; including a drivers license, a passport or any other official document that includes a photo of yourself. Once you’ve registered, you’ll need to find a seat. Once every person who is registered in the citizenship ceremony has attended and been registered, the ceremony itself will begin. 
  • Generally, there’s a formal introduction and a few short speeches from the government representatives. Lastly, there will be a brief address that comes before you make the pledge. 

Making the Pledge

• • After the speeches begin, new citizens make a pledge of commitment. You will be required to stand along with every other member who is being conferred citizenship and repeat the pledge of commitment out loud after the presiding officers states it.
  • This pledge reads:

From this time forward, under God*, 
I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, 
whose Democratic beliefs I share, 
whose rights and liberties I respect, 
and whose laws I will uphold and obey.

(* New citizens can choose to take the pledge in the form of an oath, which includes the words ‘under God’, or in the form of an affirmation, which does not.)

The end of the ceremony. 

• • The ceremony will end with the Australian National Anthem and then you are offered the opportunity to enroll in voting. 
  • Then you will be given a certificate of Australian Citizenship.
  • After the ceremony, refreshments will be offered and a photographer will be available to take photos of you with your new Australian Citizenship Certificate.
  • Refreshments typically include generally an assortment of popular Australian food such as Tim Tam’s or Lamingtons.

Australia Day. 

• • Australian citizenship is more than just a ceremony and forms an important part of Australia Day celebrations. 
  • More than 16,000 people choose Australia Day to become an Australian citizen. Australian citizenship symbolizes our unity as a nation and represents commitment to Australia and its people, the values we share and our common future. 
  • It also symbolizes the sense of belonging to the country where we have been born or where we have decided to make our home.

Once you have migrated to Australia, been granted permanent residency and fulfilled  the eligibility requirements, then you will be eligible to apply for conferral of citizenship.

Summit Migration can assist you through every step of this lengthy process. We have some of the most experienced migration agents in South Brisbane and we can assist you with your Family Visa, Parent Visa, Student Visa, Working Visa, Skilled Visa, or any other Migration Visa.

Call us today for advice, or for an assessment on your matter.