Australian Citizenship

How to become an Australian Citizen

Applying for citizenship

If you wish to become an Australian Citizen the first step is to contact the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship on their Information Line 131 880 or website, www.citizenship.gov.au

Important information

On 12 September 2007, the Australian Parliament passed the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Testing) Bill 2007.

This means from 1 October 2007, people who satisfy the general eligibility criteria are required to pass a test before applying for Australian citizenship. People covered by the other situations are not required to sit a test.

The ceremony

Mayor Liz Campbell with our newest Australian Citizens: Restila Moss, Agnes Marinko and Helen Baird, 1 March 2012

Council holds regular Australian Citizenship ceremonies for residents who wish to become Australian citizens. Citizenship ceremonies have an important symbolic role because they formally welcome new citizens from many cultures into Australian society.

The ceremony is a formal part of the citizenship process. A person becomes an Australian citizen on the date he or she attends the citizenship ceremony and makes the Pledge of commitment to Australia.

The main elements of the ceremony are:

Official welcome
An address by the Mayor or a special guest
Pledge of commitment to Australia
Presentation of certificates of Australian citizenship
Presentation of a gift to all new citizens
Singing of the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair

Becoming an Australian Citizen

An Australian Citizen has the right to:

Vote and elect Australia’s government.
Stand for public office or nominate for election to Parliament.
Apply for an Australian passport and leave and re-enter the country without a resident return visa.
Seek consular assistance from Australia’s diplomatic representatives while overseas.
Apply to enlist in the armed forces and for Government jobs.
Register children as Australian Citizens by descent.

Select a venue

There are many spectacular areas in our lovely valley - you may wish to consider this when you are making arrangements for your citizen ceremony.

Location: 22 Tozer Street Postal Address: PO Box 3078 WEST KEMPSEY NSW 2440	Customer Services: 02 6566 3200 Facsimile: 02 6566 3205 Email: ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au	Hours: 8.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday ABN 70 705 618 663
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Australian Citizenship
How to become an Australian Citizen Applying for citizenship If you wish to become an Australian Citizen the first step is to contact the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship on their Information Line 131 880 or website, www.citizenship.gov.au Important information On 12 September 2007, the Australian Parliament passed the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Testing) Bill 2007. This means from 1 October 2007, people who satisfy the general eligibility criteria are required to pass a test before applying for Australian citizenship. People covered by the other situations are not required to sit a test. The ceremony Mayor Liz Campbell with our newest Australian Citizens: Restila Moss, Agnes Marinko and Helen Baird, 1 March 2012 Council holds regular Australian Citizenship ceremonies for residents who wish to become Australian citizens. Citizenship ceremonies have an important symbolic role because they formally welcome new citizens from many cultures into Australian society. The ceremony is a formal part of the citizenship process. A person becomes an Australian citizen on the date he or she attends the citizenship ceremony and makes the Pledge of commitment to Australia. The main elements of the ceremony are: Official welcome An address by the Mayor or a special guest Pledge of commitment to Australia Presentation of certificates of Australian citizenship Presentation of a gift to all new citizens Singing of the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair Becoming an Australian Citizen An Australian Citizen has the right to: Vote and elect Australia’s government. Stand for public office or nominate for election to Parliament. Apply for an Australian passport and leave and re-enter the country without a resident return visa. Seek consular assistance from Australia’s diplomatic representatives while overseas. Apply to enlist in the armed forces and for Government jobs. Register children as Australian Citizens by descent. Select a venue There are many spectacular areas in our lovely valley - you may wish to consider this when you are making arrangements for your citizen ceremony.