Australian citizenship

To become an Australian Citizen you need to apply through the Department of Home Affairs.  The delivery of the Australian Citizenship Program is the responsibility of the Department of Home Affairs which are supported by local councils throughout Australia.

The Department of Home Affairs manages all information regarding Australian Citizenship, including:

• Applications for Australian Citizenship
• Approval of Australian Citizenship
• Allocation of conferees to ceremony dates and times
• Production of Australian Citizenship certificates

If you would like information regarding becoming an Australian Citizen or have any questions about your application, contact the Department of Home Affairs or phone the Citizenship Information Line on 131 880.

Parkes Shire Council is not involved in applications, approvals, allocation of conferees to ceremony dates and times, and certifications.  We are unable to move applicants forward on the list or give preference to attend a specific ceremony.

Yes, attending your Citizenship Ceremony is compulsory.  Candidates need to make their Pledge in order to validate their citizenship and receive their certificate.

The Department of Home Affairs advises that approved applicants are required to wait up to 12 months to be invited to attend an Australian Citizenship Ceremony and be presented with your Australian Citizenship certificate, however if you are a resident of the Parkes Shire, the wait time is approximately three months.

During the time an applicant waits to be invited to attend an Australian Citizenship ceremony, the Department of Home Affairs advises that citizenship assessment continues.  If there are changes to the person’s individual circumstances during this period which affect their application the wait time can be impacted.  Other circumstances that can impact the timeframe of when you will be invited to a ceremony include:

• Your application has been approved, however you have linked your citizenship application with another individual’s application that has not yet been finalised/approved. 
• Limited online and in-person ceremonies in NSW due to COVID-19 
• You have not updated your contact details with the Department.  Please ensure your email and other contact details are up to date in your Immi account.

If you have concerns regarding individual wait time, please contact the Department of Home Affairs for further advice of your individual status.  The Department of Home Affairs' can be contacted on 131 800.

Once an applicant receives a letter from the Department of Home Affairs advising Australian Citizenship has been approved, they must:

• Wait for an invitation to attend an Australian Citizenship ceremony. The Department of Home Affairs will send a letter of invitation advising you of your ceremony details. This invitation will include the date, time and location of the ceremony.
• If you are invited to attend a ceremony and do not attend, you will need to contact the Department of Home Affairs and wait until you are invited to a new ceremony.  Failure to attend further ceremonies may result in forfeiting your Australian Citizenship.

For any further information regarding your Australian Citizenship, please phone the Australian Citizenship Information Line on 131 880. 

Ceremonies in the Parkes Shire are usually held at either the Cooke Park Pavilion at Cooke Park, Parkes or the Coventry Room, which is located within the Parkes Library and Cultural Centre.

All ceremonies are hosted by the Mayor of Parkes Shire Council. 

Please bring your invitation letter from the Department of Home Affairs to assist with identification, as well as current Australian photo identification such as a Driver’s Licence or passport.  If you do not have photo identification please bring at least three documents bearing your name, address and signature.  Examples include bank statements, credit cards or bills.

Once an applicant has been invited to an Australian citizenship ceremony by the Department of Home Affairs, the final step to becoming an Australian citizen is to attend the ceremony and make the Australian Citizenship Pledge to Australia and its people.

Making the Pledge

Making the Pledge is the final legal requirement to becoming an Australian citizen. Following the pledge, new citizens will receive their Australian Citizenship certificate.  The "Pledge" contains the words that are to be read out loud to complete the citizenship requirements.  There are two pledges that conferees can choose from, one mentions God and the other does not.  To view the pledges, please visit the Australian Citizenship Pledge page. 

Special and formal occasion

Australian citizenship ceremonies are a special and formal occasion.  They fulfil requirements under Australian citizenship law.  They also provide an important opportunity to officially welcome new citizens as full members of the Australian community. 

Ceremonies usually take around 40 to 45 minutes, depending on the number of candidates becoming citizens.  We ask that all candidates arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony so they can register.

They are often an emotional experience for the new citizen, as well as their host, family and friends and other ceremony guests.  We invite candidates to bring guests to share this special occasion with them.

If you have compassionate or compelling grounds for an urgent ceremony, you may request one through the Department of Home Affairs by completing the Request for urgent citizenship ceremony form and emailing it to ceremony.nsw@homeaffairs.gov.au.

Conferees are advised that all fields in the form must be completed with supporting evidence attached so that requests can be assessed and considered by the Department.

If you have any questions regarding urgent ceremonies, please contact the Department of Home Affairs directly for further advice on your application. The Department of Home Affairs can be contacted on 131 880.