Once you are approved for citizenship and receive the approval letter from the Department of Home Affairs, your name is added to the ceremony waitlist. Wait times vary, but most applicants are invited to attend a ceremony within 3 to 6 months of approval.

If you have any questions about the waitlist, please contact the Department of Home Affairs on 131 880.

Yes. To become an Australian citizen, you must attend a citizenship ceremony and make the Australian Citizenship Pledge in the presence of an authorised presiding officer. You are not considered an Australian citizen until this pledge is made.

Attendance is optional for children aged 16 years and under. If the child is not in attendance, their citizenship certificate may be presented to the attending parent or guardian.

If you are unable to attend your allocated ceremony, please notify Northern Beaches Council as soon as possible using the contact details provided in your invitation. The Department of Home Affairs will allocate you to a future ceremony.

No. Ceremony dates and allocations are managed by the Department of Home Affairs. Northern Beaches Council cannot adjust your allocated ceremony or prioritise your placement on the waitlist.

You generally have 12 months from the date your application is approved to attend a citizenship ceremony. If you do not attend within this period and do not provide a valid reason, the Department of Home Affairs may cancel your approval.

You will need valid photographic identification for registration, such as:

• A driver licence (digital licences are accepted via Service NSW app); or
• Passport.

If you do not have photographic identification, please bring at least 3 official documents that show your name, address and signature (for example, bank statements, credit card statement or utility bills).

If you are under 16 years of age, you do not require photographic identification.

Due to venue capacity limits and to ensure fairness for all new citizens, each citizen may bring one guest only to the ceremony.

Yes. Seating is not allocated, allowing you to sit with your guest and/or child where space permits.

We welcome everyone to our citizenship ceremonies. If you or your guest has any accessibility or inclusion requirements to help you participate fully, please let us know before the ceremony using the contact details in your invitation.

The ceremony runs for approximately 30 minutes.

After you are seated, there will be:

• A formal introduction, including speeches and a welcome message from the Minister
• The Australian Citizenship Pledge
• Australian National Anthem

The Australian Citizenship Pledge is a formal statement you make during the ceremony, confirming your commitment to Australia and its values. There are 2 versions of the pledge available, which you may choose between. The pledge will be provided to you on the day of the ceremony and be displayed on screen. You will be asked to stand as a group to read out the pledge.

Northern Beaches Council has no authority to fast-track invitations or prioritise ceremony dates.

In genuine, exceptional circumstances the Department of Home Affairs may consider a request for an urgent ceremony. These requests are assessed by the Department of Home Affairs, not Northern Beaches Council.

An urgent ceremony may be considered where there are serious, unforeseen circumstances, such as:

• Critical illness or death of an immediate family member
• Other compassionate or compelling reasons supported by evidence

The following reasons are not usually considered urgent:

• Planned overseas travel or holidays
• Visiting family or attending weddings
• Employment, business travel or work-related requirements
• Pre‑purchased flights or accommodation

You must submit a written request directly to the Department of Home Affairs including supporting documentation. For further information, please email ceremony.nsw@homeaffairs.gov.au.

After attending your allocated ceremony, you will be eligible to apply for an Australian passport. If you are planning on travelling shortly after your ceremony, please ensure you have ample time to apply for and receive your Australian passport. For more information on travelling as a dual citizen please see Department of Home Affairs. For information on passport processing times please visit Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.