Citizenship ceremonies

Our citizenship ceremonies run for approximately 20 minutes. Ceremonies start promptly at the time shown in your letter.

Please be aware that there is a 45 minute registration window before each ceremony. 

Registrations:

• open one hour before your ceremony
• close 15 minutes before the ceremony is due to begin
• will not happen outside this 45 minute window.

To ensure ceremonies begin on time, we must turn away any late arrivals.

When you arrive, you'll be asked to register by providing identification. You'll then receive a small gift bag.

Once registered, we'll show you and your family or guest to your seat. You must remain in this location throughout the ceremony.

Citizenship ceremonies open with a welcome from our presiding officer. This is followed by a message from The Hon Andrew Giles, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.

Remaining at the location of your seats, you will then join other candidates in reciting the preamble and pledge.

Following the pledge, we will speak about your obligations as a citizen of Australia. Everyone will then join in singing the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair.

The anthem concludes the ceremony.

You are encouraged to celebrate your new citizenship at home with family and friends.

Please note catering is no longer provided at Australian citizenship ceremonies.

All invitations and ceremony allocation are managed by the Department of Home Affairs. The department can be contacted on 131 880.
To ensure you are promptly invited to a ceremony please ensure your contact details are up to date with the Department of Home Affairs.
Check the Department of Home Affairs site for current wait times.

To ensure we can fit the maximum number of candidates in to each ceremony we ask that each family group bring one guest to the ceremony.

We encourage you to celebrate your new citizenship afterwards with your friends and family.

You don't need to do anything. After the ceremony you'll receive a letter of non-attendance and will be invited to a future scheduled ceremony.

Please bring a copy of your Department of Home Affairs invitation, in either digital or paper format.
Candidates aged over 16 years must show a drivers licence, passport or other official document that includes a photograph.

If you don't have any form of photographic identification, you must bring at least three documents bearing your name, address and signature. Examples include bank statements, credit cards or bills.

Formal, smart casual clothing, or your national or cultural dress are appropriate. We encourage you to be groomed to reflect the day’s significance.

Dependent children are welcome to attend with their invited parent or carer.

There will be approximately 150 citizenship candidates in each ceremony.