Citizenship ceremonies

Before you can become an Australian citizen you need to first contact the Department of Home Affairs to find out if you meet the criteria.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be asked to complete an application form, pay a fee and attend a short interview. The department will notify you in writing if your application is successful and will contact you again to advise the date, time and location of your citizenship ceremony.

City of Sydney residents will have their ceremonies take place at the historic Sydney Town Hall.

The first citizenship ceremony in NSW took place at the Sydney Town Hall on 26 March 1954.

The City of Sydney places great importance on Australian citizenship. We host large ceremonies each month for residents who have been approved to become Australian citizens by the Department of Home Affairs.

The City of Sydney does not process applications and we’re not involved in any decision making at all. We don’t even decide which ceremony you’ll attend. The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for these decisions. If you have any questions about your application, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

Your ceremony will be held at this location during business hours:

Lower Town Hall
Sydney Town Hall
483 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Entrance on Druitt Street

The closest train station is Town Hall and there are major bus interchanges nearby on York Street. Car parking is not available at the Sydney Town Hall, however there are many private car parks nearby. The closest car parks are at the Queen Victoria Building and St Andrew’s House.

If you have any special requirements, such as accessibility needs, please contact the Lord Mayor’s protocol office as soon as possible before your ceremony. 

Photography  

Our photographer will take your photo during the ceremony and a complimentary photograph will be posted to you about 1 week later.

Personal cameras and videos are welcome. Commercial filming and photography aren’t allowed.

The official ceremony takes about 1 hour and is followed by light refreshments.

During the ceremony you’ll be asked to take a pledge of commitment in English. You can choose pledge 1 or 2. The pledges read:

Pledge 1 

“From this time forward, under God,
I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people,
whose democratic beliefs I share,
whose rights and liberties I respect,
and whose laws I will uphold and obey.”

Pledge 2

“From this time forward,
I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people,
whose democratic beliefs I share,
whose rights and liberties I respect,
and whose laws I will uphold and obey.” 

All guests are asked to stand and sing Australia’s national anthem, Advance Australia Fair. 

Your certificate

You will be presented with your citizenship certificate during the ceremony after you’ve made your pledge of commitment. The certificate is legal proof of your Australian citizenship. You can frame the certificate later but it must not be laminated as it will no longer be a legal document.

We don’t produce your citizenship certificate. If it’s lost, damaged or needs to be replaced, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

Enrolling to vote

Before you leave the citizenship ceremony, you’ll be asked to complete an Australian Electoral Commission form so you can be included on the electoral roll. Voting is compulsory for all Australian citizens, so if you don’t complete the form at the ceremony, you will need to enrol another time.

If you can’t attend

We can’t give you the certificate if you miss your ceremony.

“Australians all, let us rejoice,
For we are one and free
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil
Our home is girt by sea
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia fair
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross,
We’ll toil with hearts and hands
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair
In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia fair.”