Citizenship

Council conducts regular Citizenship Ceremonies throughout the year.

Although the Council organises and conducts Citizenship Ceremonies, the City of Melton is not responsible for allocating candidates to ceremony dates. This is the decision of the Department of Home Affairs.

Melton City Council is committed to protecting community health and wellbeing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to the COVID-19 social distancing requirements, in person citizenship ceremonies have been cancelled for the time being.
Council has commenced delivering online citizenship ceremonies with the allocation of candidates to ceremony dates again being the responsibility of the Department of Homes Affairs.

If you would like to inquire about your status in the waiting list, please contact the Department of Home Affairs on Ph: 131 880.

Proposed schedule of ceremonies for 2020

*Please note: we regret to advise that this event has been cancelled due to the evolving COVID-19 situation. 

Please note these dates are subject to change and depend upon the number of candidates that Department of Home Affairs advise the Council throughout the year as eligible for Australian Citizenship.

Candidates will receive a detailed invitation from Council confirming their Citizenship Ceremony date and location, and other important information.

At the ceremony, successful applicants are required to make a pledge of commitment as a citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia. All new citizens are then presented with a Certificate of Australian Citizenship, which formally represents conferral of Australian Citizenship.

The Mayor of Melton presides over Citizenship Ceremonies. Melton City Councillors and Members of Parliament with electorates in the Melton City Council area are also invited to attend Citizenship Ceremonies.

Contact the Department of Home Affairs if you have a special request or cannot attend your assigned ceremony.

If you do not attend your assigned ceremony, your Citizenship Certificate will be returned to the Department of Home Affairs and your name will be placed back on the Departments waiting list to attend a ceremony.

Most ceremonies are held at Melton Community Hall, 232 High Street, Melton.  Ceremonies are held at either 12pm or 6pm; see the above list of dates for details.  Doors open one hour before the ceremony start time to allow for registration of candidates.

The Australia Day Celebrations on 26 January are held at The Willows Historical Park, Cnr Reserve Road and Nixon Street, Melton. The Citizenship Ceremony on Australia Day commences at 11am. The event is open from 9.30am to allow for registration of candidates.

Free parking is available at all venues.

Candidates are welcome to bring guests to all ceremonies to share this special occasion.

Candidates must register on the day of their ceremony with Council officers:

• registration must be completed no later than 15 minutes before the ceremony begins.
• bring along your letter from the Department of Home Affairs.
• bring along photo identification (eg. passport or drivers licence).

Electoral enrolment and voting at Federal, State and Local Government Elections is compulsory for all Australian citizens (by birth or naturalisation) 18 years of age or older.

All candidates over 17 years of age will be required to complete the Application for Enrolment on the Australian Electoral Role.

Staff from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will be in attendance at the Citizenship Ceremony to assist candidates with this process.