Australian citizenship ceremony: invitation, pledge and certificate

The ceremony makes you a citizen

When Home Affairs approves your application, one step is left. You go to a citizenship ceremony and make the pledge. You become a citizen when you make the pledge. Until then you are not a citizen.

If you have not yet applied, start with the application steps. If you are still preparing for the test, try our free 20-question mock.

Who must go

You must attend if you were 16 or older when you applied, unless you have a permanent or enduring incapacity. You do not have to attend if you:

• are under 16
• became a citizen by descent or adoption
• are resuming citizenship
• have a permanent or enduring incapacity

A few other groups are also excused. See citizenship by conferral for how this fits the wider picture.

How you get invited

After approval, you get a letter of invitation. It comes from your local council or from Home Affairs. Councils usually run the ceremonies. You cannot choose the place or the date. The letter usually arrives about four weeks before the event.

Keep the letter. You need to bring it. You must attend within 12 months of approval, or Home Affairs may cancel the approval.

What to bring

• Your invitation.
• One piece of photo ID, such as an Australian driver licence or a passport. Documents not in English need formal translations.
• If you have no photo ID, at least three documents with your name and address, such as bank, utility or credit card statements.
• A holy book, if you want to hold one for the pledge.

Children under 16 do not need photo ID.

What to wear

Dress in formal or smart casual clothes. National or cultural dress is welcome. Your invitation may add detail. For an outdoor ceremony, bring a hat and sunscreen.

What happens on the day

Plan for at least two hours. The ceremony itself may last about one hour.

1. You arrive, show your invitation and photo ID, and take a seat.
2. The ceremony opens with a formal introduction.
3. Speakers give speeches, including a welcome message from the Minister.
4. A speaker gives an address to the new citizens.
5. You make the pledge.
6. Everyone sings the National Anthem.

Your invitation says whether you can bring guests, and how many. Guests may sit apart from you. Keep children supervised. Family may take photos if they do not disturb the ceremony.

The Australian Citizenship Pledge

You choose one of two versions when you apply. The law sets both. The first one mentions God.

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.

The second does not mention God.

From this time forward, 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.

Read what each phrase means on our page about the citizenship pledge.

Your certificate

After the pledge you should receive your citizenship certificate. If it is not ready, Home Affairs posts it to you. It is legal proof that you are a citizen, and you need it for an Australian passport. It is an offence to write on it or change anything on it.

After the ceremony

You can apply for a passport after the pledge. New citizens aged 16 and over also get an Australian Electoral Commission sheet on how to enrol to vote. Voting is compulsory from age 18. See voting in Australia.

Children

A child under 16 on your application becomes a citizen when you do. The child does not need to attend or make the pledge, but is welcome to come.

Australian Citizenship Day

Australia marks Australian Citizenship Day on 17 September each year. Home Affairs and councils hold special citizenship ceremonies and affirmation ceremonies that day. The affirmation is a short, voluntary statement for anyone. It has no legal status. It is not the pledge.

Council ceremonies

The list of council pages follows below.