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Australian Citizenship

Yass Valley Council holds regular Australian citizenship ceremonies on behalf of the Federal Government.

Citizenship Ceremonies

Australian Citizenship ceremonies are held at Council 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 the Australian family.

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.

Citizenship ceremonies are simple and dignified occasions.  The main elements of the ceremony are:

• Official welcome
• Pledge of commitment to Australia
• Presentation of certificates of Australian citizenship

Yass Valley Council places high importance on Australian citizenship and hosts ceremonies throughout the year.

About Australian Citizenship

Australia is a diverse society, one that celebrates the richness of its community.

Citizenship is a way of uniting and gathering the people of Australia as one.  It is about people sharing in the common goal of making Australia an even better place, building on their diverse heritages.

Australian citizenship was born in 1949.  Since then, over 3 million settlers have taken the important step of becoming an Australian citizen.  Over 70,000 settlers continue to become new citizens each year.  There are currently over 900,000 permanent residents still eligible to become Australian citizens.

Becoming an Australian Citizen

The legal status of being an Australian Citizen carries with it the right to:

• vote and elect Australia's government
• stand for public office or nominate for election to Parliament
• apply for an Australian passpost 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
• reigster children as Australian citizens by descent

How do I apply to become an Australian citizen?

Application forms and further information can be obtained from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship:

• phone 131 880
• department's citizenship website at:  www.citizenship.gov.au

Please note that Yass Valley Council has no involvement in approving your application.

I've applied for Australian citizenship.  What happens next?

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship will write to you to confirm once your citizenship has been approved.  They will then add your name to a list of people in line to be invited to a Council citizenship ceremony. Yass Valley Council will then send you an invitation to attend the ceremony.

When are Citizenship Ceremonies held?

Ceremonies are planned for:

• Wednesday 25 November 2009
• Tuesday 26 January 2009
• Wednesday 24 March 2010

Contact details
Yass Valley Council
02 6226 1477 (ph)
02 6226 2598 (fax)
Council@yass.nsw.gov.au

© 2008 Yass Valley Council
This page: http://www.yass.nsw.gov.au/council/1352/9401.html