Becoming a citizen represents a commitment to Australia and its people. It is an important step in your migration story and the beginning of your formal membership in the Australian community. Citizenship is the final step that will enable you to proudly say, ‘I am Australian’.
On this page
- Scrolling to Applying for Australian citizenship
- Scrolling to Ceremony dates
- Scrolling to Invitation to attend a ceremony
- Scrolling to About the ceremony
- Scrolling to The Australian citizenship pledge
- Scrolling to Applying for an Australian passport
- Scrolling to Lost citizenship certificate
- Scrolling to More information and contact
Applying for Australian citizenship
Australian citizenship applications are made through the Department of Home Affairs.
The Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s role in the citizenship process is to conduct citizenship ceremonies and present attending conferees with their citizenship certificates.
Ceremony dates
The Shire conducts approximately six citizenship ceremonies per year. One of those is the Australia Day Ceremony.
Ceremony dates for 2024 are:
Australia Day Ceremony (26 January 2024)
- Margaret River Council Chambers - Wednesday 24 January 2024, 10am
- Cowaramup Rotary Park - Friday 26 January 2024, 8.30am
- Margaret River Council Chambers - Friday 26 January 2024, 10am
Harmony Week (20-26 March 2024)
- Margaret River Council Chambers - Thursday 21 March 2024, 2pm
Refugee Week Ceremony (16-22 June 2024)
- Margaret River Council Chambers - Friday 21 June 2024, 2pm
Australian Citizenship Day Ceremony (17 September 2024)
- Margaret River Council Chambers - Tuesday 17 September 2024, 2pm
In accordance with the Department of Home Affairs - Citizenship Division, conferees are confirmed four weeks prior to ceremony dates.
Invitation to attend a ceremony
The Department of Home Affairs will email the Shire a monthly list of approved candidates. The Shire will then contact future conferees to advise of the upcoming citizenship ceremony dates.
Invitations are sent out approximately six weeks before a ceremony. You must RSVP early as it takes up to four weeks for citizenship certificates to be received by the Shire.
About the ceremony
The Australian citizenship ceremony is held in Margaret River. On Australia Day, ceremonies are held in Margaret River, Cowaramup, and Augusta, if there are any conferees in those areas.
The ceremony generally takes an hour, depending on the number of participants.
Invitation to ceremony FAQs
To check on the status of your application, please contact the Department of Home Affairs.
Yes. You must attend a citizenship ceremony and make a pledge to validate your citizenship and receive your certificate.
If you cannot attend for any reason, you will be invited to the following ceremony.
Special ceremonies can be arranged in very limited circumstances. For more information, please contact the Department of Home Affairs.
Children aged 16 years and over are legally required to attend the ceremony and take the pledge to become an Australian citizen. Children under the age of 16 are not legally required to take the citizenship pledge. However, they are encouraged to stand with their parent or guardian where possible.
About the ceremony FAQs
You are required to prove your identity prior to the ceremony. Please bring your current Australian driver’s licence. If you do not hold a driver’s licence, additional forms of identification may include your passport, credit cards, medicare card, or bills displaying your name and current address.
Yes, family and friends are very welcome to attend.
Smart dress is requested.
You are welcome to bring a camera and take photos. Further photographs with the Shire President can be requested after the formalities have concluded.
The Australian citizenship pledge
There are two pledges: one that mentions God (oath) and one that does not (affirmation). The difference between the two pledges is the words ‘under God’. You would have nominated your pledge preference in your citizenship application form.
The Australian citizenship pledge is:
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.
* ‘under God’ is optional
If you are making an oath, you are welcome to bring a holy book of your choice to make your pledge on.
You will receive a card with your nominated pledge upon arrival at the ceremony.
Applying for an Australian passport
You must attend an Australian citizenship ceremony and receive your citizenship certificate before you can apply for an Australian passport.
The original certificate will be needed when applying for a passport. For more information, visit the Australian Passport Office website.
Lost citizenship certificate
Please contact the Department of Home Affairs.
More information and contact
For more information, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website or contact the Shire by email [email protected] or phone (08) 9780 5200.