Citizenship

Applying for Australian citizenship

If you are considering applying for Australian Citizenship, follow these steps:

  1. Contact the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on Ph: 131 880 or visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
  2. Once the DHA approves your application for Citizenship, you will be placed on the DHA waiting list to attend a Citizenship Ceremony. The DHA will allocate candidates to ceremony dates.
  3. Approved applicants must attend a Citizenship Ceremony as the final phase of being granted Australian citizenship.

Time and place of Citizenship ceremonies

Citizenship Ceremonies will be held at Cobblebank Stadium, 206 Ferris Road, Cobblebank.

While Melton City Council hosts Australian Citizenship Ceremonies, invitations are issued by the Department of Home Affairs.

For information on processing times and ceremony wait times, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Citizenship ceremony dates may be cancelled or amended at Council's discretion. 

What happens at a Citizenship ceremony?

Candidates will receive a detailed invitation from the Department of Home Affairs confirming their Citizenship Ceremony date and location, and other important information. Council will email a reminder two business days before the ceremony.

At the ceremony, successful applicants are required to make a pledge of commitment as a citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia.  All new citizens receive 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.

What happens if I cannot attend a Citizenship ceremony?

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 Department's waiting list to attend a ceremony.

Registration at the Citizenship ceremony

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 original photo identification (eg. passport or drivers licence).

Electoral Enrolment

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 receive an 'Enrol to Vote' information sheet.

Australian Citizenship Test Help Sessions

Are you are interested in becoming an Australian Citizen? Council conducts Australian Citizenship Test Help sessions every month from February to November.

Sessions will work through some common questions and what to expect for the test. You will learn about Australia, its people, history, geography and laws.

For more information or to make a booking visit Australian Citizenship Test Help.

 

 

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