Citizenship
Becoming an Australian Citizen
If you are planning on becoming an Australian Citizen, visit the Department of Home Affairs website or call 131 880.
The Department of Home Affairs will arrange the Australian Citizenship application, interview and approval process.
Citizenship ceremonies
Citizenship ceremonies are the final step to becoming an Australian citizen, and are where conferees make their citizenship pledge and are presented with their Australian Citizenship.
Conferees are invited to attend a ceremony once citizenship has been granted by the Department of Home Affairs.
The City of Busselton conducts citizenship ceremonies generally every second month which are held in the Council Chambers at the City Administration building and conducted by the Mayor. The 26 January Australia Day ceremony is held at the Busselton Foreshore amphitheatre.
Citizenship FAQs
We are unable to provide you with a ceremony date until we receive advice from the Department of Home Affairs that your application for citizenship has been approved.
Once your approval for citizenship has been received, we will invite you to the next available ceremony and invitations are sent out around four weeks before a ceremony.
Should you require further information regarding your approval for citizenship, you must contact the Department of Home Affairs on this email address as we are unable to advise you.
Yes. You must attend a citizenship ceremony where you make your citizenship pledge to validate your citizenship, and receive your certificate.
The Department of Home Affairs strongly encourages candidates to attend public ceremonies however, in genuinely urgent and compelling circumstances, may agree to an urgent citizenship ceremony.
If you believe your circumstances warrant an urgent ceremony please contact the Department of Home Affairs on 131 880.
The ceremony takes about half an hour and is followed by an informal gathering with complimentary light refreshments for the new citizens and their guests.
Formal, Business or smart casual attire. Conferees are also welcome to wear traditional, national or cultural dress.
Yes. You are welcome to take photographs throughout the ceremony. A complimentary official photograph will be taken as you receive your certificate, and will be sent to you within two weeks of the ceremony.
Children aged 16 years and over are legally required to attend a ceremony and make the citizenship pledge to become on Australian citizen. Children under the age of 16 are not legally required to make the citizenship pledge, however they are welcome to attend with their parents or guardian and make the citizenship pledge where possible.
If you lose your citizenship certificate please contact the Department of Home Affairs on 131 880 to arrange a replacement.
You can apply for an Australian passport once you have attended a citizenship ceremony and received your certificate. The original certificate is needed when applying for the passport.
For more information call the Australian Passport Office on 131 232.