Citizenship
Lord Mayor, Clover Moore MP with a family of recent Australian Citizens
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 DIAC by letter advising you that your application has been approved. If you are a resident of the City of Sydney electorate, 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 City of Sydney
The role of the City of Sydney 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.
The City can only perform the ceremony for the approved applicants notified to us by DIAC. The City of Sydney council cannot process or lodge your application and cannot add you to a list for a ceremony.
Citizenship at Sydney Town Hall in the City of Sydney
The first civil citizenship in New South Wales took place at the Sydney Town Hall, fifty-three years years ago, on 27 March 1954. The City of Sydney encourages and places great importance on Australian Citizenship and hosts an average of two ceremonies per month. Australian citizenship represents the feeling of belonging and commitment to Australia and its people, the values we share and our common future.
The Citizenship Ceremony
You will be advised by DIAC in writing the date and time of your ceremony. The City of Sydney hosts an average of two ceremonies a month, usually held on a Friday at 3pm and 4.30pm. They are hosted by the Lord Mayor of Sydney, The Deputy Lord Mayor or the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Sydney.
Ceremonies are held in the Lord Mayors Reception Room, Level 3, 456 Kent Street, Sydney. This is the building that is directly behind Sydney Town Hall. The closest train station is Town Hall. We cannot provide parking however the closest parking stations can be found at paid car parks:
St Andrew’s House Car Park
464 – 474 Kent Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 02 9267 6331
Website: www.cityed.com.au/default.php?id=46
QVB Car Park
Entry and Exit via York Street
Tel: 02 9267 1627
Website: www.qvb.com.au
The official ceremony takes about half an hour and is then followed by light refreshments for new citizens, their family and guests. New citizens are invited to bring up to three members of their family or friends.
Ceremonies are warm with a great feeling of celebration. Dress is smart casual. Please be sure to arrive half an hour 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 the City of Sydney and posted to the new citizens approximately two weeks after the ceremony. Personal cameras and videos are allowed (not for commercial use).
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. The City of Sydney cannot issue you with the certificate if you miss your ceremony.
Upcoming Citizenship Ceremonies at the Sydney Town Hall
Dates are subject to change.
2008
- Friday 17 October
- Friday 7 November
- Friday 14 November
- Friday 21 November
Special Requirements
If you have any special requirements for example wheelchair access please contact Protocol on 02 9265 9319 at least 1 week prior to your ceremony.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a Citizen?
To become an Australian Citizen you first need to contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship 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 DIAC by letter advising you that your application has been approved. If you are a resident of the City of Sydney electorate 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.
When is my ceremony?
You will be advised by DIAC in writing the date and time of your ceremony. The City of Sydney hosts an average of two ceremonies a month, usually held on a Friday at 3pm and 4.30pm.
What do I wear?
Dress is smart casual.
How do I get there or where can I park?
Ceremonies are held in the Lord Mayors Reception Room, Level 3, 456 Kent Street, Sydney. This is the building that is directly behind Sydney Town Hall. The closest train station is Town Hall. We cannot provide parking however the closest parking stations can be found at paid car parks:
St Andrew’s House Car Park
464 – 474 Kent Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 02 9267 6331
Website: www.cityed.com.au/default.php?id=46
QVB Car Park
Entry and Exit via York Street
Tel: 02 9267 1627
Website: www.qvb.com.au
Who can I bring?
New citizens are invited to bring up to three friends or members of their family.
What do I bring?
Bring your letter from DIAC and photo identification (drivers licence or passport).
How long will it take?
The official ceremony takes about half an hour and is then followed by light refreshments for new citizens and their guests. Please be sure to arrive half an hour before the time of the ceremony to allow for registration and bring your letter from DIAC and photo identification (drivers licence or passport).
What happens if I can’t make it to my ceremony?
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. The City of Sydney cannot issue you with the certificate if you miss your ceremony.
Can the City of Sydney put me in a ceremony?
The City can only perform the ceremony for the approved applicants notified to us by DIAC. The City of Sydney council cannot process or lodge your application and cannot add you to a list for a ceremony.
I’m in a hurry or I have to go overseas or I need my Citizenship quickly can the City of Sydney help me?
No, the City can only perform the ceremony for the approved applicants notified to us by DIAC. The City of Sydney council cannot process or lodge your application and cannot add you to a list for a ceremony.
If you need to be approved quickly for valid reasons please call DIAC and they may be able to arrange a ceremony at their offices.
I have lost my certificate, can the City of Sydney give me a new one?
No, the City of Sydney does not produce the certificates. You will need to contact the DIAC on 131 880 or in person or at www.citizenship.gov.au
I still have a question about my ceremony who can I call?
Protocol Unit - Office of the Lord Mayor Tel: 02 9265 9475 or 02 9265 9319
Australian National Anthem
At the conclusion of the ceremony the Australian National Anthem is sung:
Advance Australia Fair
Australians all, let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia fair.
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross,
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia fair.
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Last Updated: Tuesday 12 August, 2008
