Citizenship ceremonies
Australian citizenship represents formal membership to the community of the Commonwealth and is a common bond, involving reciprocal rights and obligations, uniting all Australians, while respecting their diversity.
Applications and approvals are administered by the Department of Home Affairs. The ceremony is the formal part of the citizenship process. You become an Australian citizen on the date you attend the citizenship ceremony and make the Pledge of Commitment to Australia. View information on passport applications.
How will I know when my ceremony will be held?
The Department of Home Affairs will allocate a ceremony to you according to your approval date and will issue your letter of invitation.
If you receive an invitation to a citizenship ceremony and you do not attend, your name automatically goes back onto the waiting list, and you will receive an invitation to the following ceremony.
If you have compassionate or compelling grounds for an urgent ceremony, please contact the Department of Home Affairs directly.
To enquire about your ceremony date, conferees or their legal representatives should contact the Department of Home Affairs or call the Citizenship Information Line on 131 880.
Citizenship ceremonies
Woollahra Council hosts the citizenship ceremonies based on the information relating to approved conferees supplied to us by the Department of Home Affairs.
We host regular citizenship ceremonies (usually every 5-7 weeks) to minimise waiting time for ceremonies. The duration of ceremonies held at the Council Chambers is approximately 1 hour. Conferees are welcome to bring up to three guests.
The next citizenship ceremonies are scheduled to be held on Tuesday 9 December 2025 and Tuesday 27 January 2026. Ceremony dates are subject to change.
If you have any enquiries about the ceremony details, please contact citizenship@woollahra.nsw.gov.au.
What to bring
Once you have received your letter from the Department of Home Affairs inviting you to attend a Citizenship Ceremony at Woollahra Council, please bring your letter and a current form of photo identification such as a driver’s licence or passport.
On the night
Woollahra Council acknowledges the importance of your citizenship ceremony by hosting the event and providing you with complimentary photographs, a small native seedling, and refreshments on the terrace afterwards to commemorate the occasion.
Our dress code for everyone attending the event is smart casual. You are welcome to wear more formal attire.
For further information regarding Australian citizenship including ceremonies, applications or general enquiries visit the Citizenship website or contact the Department of Home Affairs on 131 880.
Council does not produce citizenship certificates. If your certificate is lost, damaged or needs to be replaced, please contact the Department of Home Affairs.