Throughout the year, Georges River Council hosts a number of Citizenship Ceremonies to welcome new Australian Citizens to our local area, on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs. 

Council is only responsible for conducting Citizenship Ceremonies under delegated authority by the Department of Home Affairs. Council has no input into the applications, approvals or waiting lists. You will be contacted directly and invited to a citizenship ceremony by the Department of Home Affairs. You do not need to contact Georges River Council about  your ceremony. 

Once your citizenship application has been approved by the Department of Home Affairs, you will be invited to attend one of our ceremonies where you will make the pledge of commitment. The time between being approved and being invited to take part in citizenship ceremony can take at least 6 months, depending on the current citizenship wait list. 
 

Upcoming Citizenship Dates

• Sunday 26 January 2025
• Thursday 20 March 2025
• Thursday 22 May 2025
• Thursday 10 July 2025
• Thursday 28 August 2025
• Thursday 2 October 2025

Please note, Council does not assign individuals to dates. This is the responsibility of the Department of Home Affairs.
 

Preparing for your upcoming Citizenship Ceremony

You will need to bring:

• Your ceremony invitation letter from Council and/or the Department of Home Affairs.
• Photo identification with your current address.

If you do not attend your citizenship ceremony we will then advise the Department of Home Affairs and you will be allocated to another ceremony. If you fail to attend three ceremonies, your application will be cancelled and you will need to re-apply for your citizenship via the Department of Home Affairs. 

All candidates must arrive at the allotted time stated in their Citizenship Ceremony invitation. Please only bring the amount of guests as specified on you invitation. Children must be supervised at ALL times by a responsible adult.

You will not become an Australian citizen until you have read the oath or affirmation in the presence of the Mayor or another person authorised to represent the Federal Government in this capacity. Council is not authorised to give you your certificate until you have read your oath or affirmation at the citizenship ceremony.

Once you have completed your Ceremony you will become an Australia Citizen and are eligible to vote. The Australian Electoral staff will be there on the night to assist you in with completing your enrolment to vote form.

For further information about your citizenship please call the Australia Citizenship Information Line on 131 881.