The Citizenship Ceremony: Everything You Need to Know About Your Special Day

Now that you’ve completed your path to Australian citizenship, it’s time to culminate your hard work and effort into a special ceremony called the Australian citizenship ceremony. This special occasion marks your official citizenship, granting you all the rights of an Australian citizen. From the initial visa application to the day of the ceremony, there’s a lot that goes into gaining Australian citizenship.

At Ausdirect Migration, we love helping our clients with all their visa needs and cherish the moments where we get to help someone achieve full Australian citizenship. Whether your citizenship ceremony is soon or you’re just starting to explore Australian citizenship, here’s everything you need to know about the Australian citizenship ceremony.

What Happens at the Citizenship Ceremony

The Australian citizenship ceremony is a formal ceremony that can take upwards of two hours or longer to complete, so it’s important to plan plenty of time during the day. You should arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the beginning of the ceremony.

When the ceremony begins, there will be a formal introduction and speeches by various members of the Australian government. After the various speeches and welcomes, you will need to recite the pledge of Australian citizenship, of which there are multiple versions. The one you select on your application is the one you will need to recite. Finally, the ceremony will end with the National Anthem, followed by a light reception for attendees.

Who Should Attend

If you are above the age of 16 years old and are not incapacitated, you are required to attend the citizenship ceremony in order to be approved as an Australian citizen. In fact, if you do not attend a ceremony within a year of your application’s approval, your approval can be revoked and your citizenship denied.

There are certain circumstances where applicants do not need to attend a ceremony, including those that are under the age of 16, those that are granted Australian citizenship through adoption, and those that are resuming their Australian citizenship, to name a few.

As this is a very special day, guests are more than welcome, although there may be limited seating. Your formal invitation will indicate how many guests are able to attend.

Your Citizenship Certificate

As soon as you make the citizenship pledge, you officially become an Australian citizen. You will also receive an official citizenship certificate on the day of your ceremony or your certificate will be sent to you via post. This not only symbolises your Australian citizenship, but this document is also needed to apply for an Australian passport and is an important legal document that you should keep safe at all times.

Other Considerations

You need to bring adequate identification documents to the ceremony, and it may take some time to register for the event, which is why we advise that you show up early to the ceremony. In addition to a form of photo identification, you’ll also need to bring your official invitation. You and your guests should dress in formal wear, as this is an important event that signifies a new chapter in your life.

Ausdirect Migration

As anyone that’s been through the Australian citizenship process knows, it takes a lot of time and effort to earn your citizenship. There are multiple paths to gaining your Australian citizenship, and the team at Ausdirect Migration can help you understand your options and plan for your new life in Australia.

The Australian citizenship ceremony is a monumental occasion for those that have gained citizenship. Let our team help you get to your citizenship ceremony and start your new life in Australia. For more information on how we can help, contact us today.