Citizenship
Steps to becoming an Australian Citizen
To become an Australian Citizen you first need to contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) via the Citizenship Information line on 131 880 or via the Internet on www.citizenship.gov.au
If eligible you are then required to fill in and lodge an application form, pay a fee and attend a short interview. You will be contacted by letter from DIAC advising you that your application has been approved. If you are a resident of the Leichhardt Municipality, DIAC will then send a second letter several months later advising you of the date and time of your ceremony. Once you attend your ceremony and receive your certificate you are a Citizen of Australia.
Role of the Leichhardt Council
The role of the Leichhardt Council is to perform the Citizenship Ceremony on behalf of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for candidates who are resident in our Local Government Area.
We can only perform the ceremony for the approved applicants notified to us by DIAC. Leichhardt Council cannot process or lodge your application and cannot add you to a list for a ceremony.
The Citizenship Ceremony
You will be advised by DIAC in writing the date and time of your ceremony. Leichhardt Council runs ceremonies bi-monthly (every 2 months).
Ceremonies are held in the Leichhardt Town Hall on the corner of Norton & Marion Streets.
The official ceremony takes about an hour and is then followed by light refreshments for new citizens, their family and guests.
Ceremonies are warm with a great feeling of celebration. Dress is smart casual. Please be sure to arrive thirty minutes before the time of the ceremony to allow for registration and bring your letter from DIAC and photo identification (drivers licence or passport).
Adults are required to take a pledge of commitment in English and receive a Certificate of Citizenship. The pledge is a moving, important part of the citizenship ceremony.
The 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 have the option on their application 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.
Once you have made the pledge you will be presented with your certificate of Australian citizenship. The certificate is provided to all new citizens as legal proof of their Australian citizenship. You may frame the certificate but do not laminate it as it will make it invalid.
A complimentary photograph will be provided by Leichhardt Council and posted to the new citizens approximately two weeks after the ceremony.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests are asked to stand and sing the Australian National Anthem.
Prior to leaving all new citizens are requested to complete the Australian Electoral Commission form provided and are placed on the electoral role.
If for any reason you cannot attend at the date or time advised, please contact DIAC immediately so that they are able to reschedule your ceremony. If you do not advise DIAC and miss your ceremony, Council is required to return your certificate to DIAC and the certificate will have to be reissued. Leichhardt Council cannot issue you with the certificate if you miss your ceremony.
Upcoming Citizenship Ceremonies at Leichhardt
Dates are subject to change.
2009
- 26 January 2009
- 18 March 2009
- 20 May 2009
- 15 July 2009
- 16 September 2009
- 18 November 2009
Enquiries
Any queries regarding becoming a new citizen or the date or time of your ceremony should be directed to NSW
Citizenship on 131 880.