Ceremony Proceedings

The following pre-amble is to be read by the Presiding Officer before the beginning of ceremonies:

As required by the Australian Citizenship Act 2007, I am required to make the following statement:

“This Citizenship Ceremony is conducted under the authority of the Minister of State for Immigration and is prescribed by the Australian Citizenship Act 2007.

As the Presiding Officer, I have received under the Act, a delegation to administer the ‘Pledge of Commitment as a Citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia’ which is the final step to you becoming an Australian Citizen.

Australian Citizenship represents full and formal membership of the community of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Australian citizenship is a common bond, involving reciprocal rights and obligations, uniting all Australians, while respecting their diversity.

Persons on whom Australian citizenship is conferred enjoy these rights and undertake to accept these obligations:

“a) By pledging loyalty to Australia and its people; and

b) By sharing their democratic beliefs; and

c) By respecting their rights and liberties; and

d) By upholding and obeying the laws of Australia.”

Each candidate will also be asked to take a pledge of Allegiance to Australia. There are two pledges available for candidates to choose. The Presiding Officer will read these words and request you repeat after them, so there is no need to memorise the following:

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.