Citizenship

Becoming an Australian

The City of Kwinana holds citizenship ceremonies on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs throughout the year for Kwinana residents to receive Australian Citizenship. A citizenship ceremony is where you make the Australian citizenship pledge, the final step in becoming an Australian.

The process

Once approved you will receive a letter from the Department of Home Affairs. The Department of Home Affairs send us a list of invitees around 6 weeks before each ceremony.  You will receive your invitation by email as soon as the your details have been received by us on an invitation list.  If you have not received an invitation email then we do not yet have your information.  

All ceremony allocations are done by the Department of Home Affairs. Any queries you have regarding scheduling, including early or urgent ceremony allocation must be directed to the Department by emailing ceremony.wa@homeaffairs.gov.au or by calling their office on 131 880. 

From receiving your letter of approval from the Department of Home Affairs to being invited to attend a ceremony may take several months due to the high number of approvals. If you wish to be make the pledge with family or friends who are also applying for citizenship, you must let the Department know at the time of your interview, they will link your applications together.

The role of the City of Kwinana

The role of the City of Kwinana is to host the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies for the conferees to make the Pledge of Commitment in front of the Presiding Officer. The City is not able to make changes to your ceremony date, this must be done through the Department of Home Affairs. Conferees must attend a ceremony within 12 months of their approval date.

Eligibility and how to apply

Becoming an Australian Citizen is an important step in your migration story, by becoming an Australian citizen you are choosing to make an ongoing commitment to Australia and all that it stands for.

How to apply

To apply for citizenship please follow the below steps;

1. Complete a citizenship application form through the Department of Home Affairs or by phoning the citizenship information line on 131 880.
2. After submitting your application, check its progress by tracking your citizenship application online. Please note; the City of Kwinana does not have access to the progress and timeline of your application until it has been approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
3. Once your application has been approved, you will receive a letter from the Department of Home Affairs.
4. The City will receive information from the Department of Home Affairs and you will be allocated a position in the next available citizenship ceremony. A letter will be sent to notify you of your ceremony date approximately four weeks before your ceremony date. The waiting period for a ceremony is between 12 to 14 weeks.
    

Cost

The cost of becoming an Australian citizen is around $490 per person. (Cost is subject to change)

Attending a ceremony

At the City of Kwinana, our citizenship ceremonies are special events conducted by the Mayor where applicants are required to make the Australian citizenship pledge. This is the final step in the journey to becoming an Australian citizen.

Citizenship ceremonies are held once a month at Medina Hall on an evening during the week at 5.30pm. Ceremonies in the City of Kwinana are only able to be attended by residents of the City. 

Please ensure you abide by the following requirements as entry may be refused to any additional guests:

• All individual conferees are able to bring TWO guests only plus conferee dependant children (16 years and below).
• All family conferees are able to bring TWO guests per family plus conferee dependant children (16 years and below).

Ceremonies are closed off at least four weeks before the ceremony date to allow time for invitations to be posted and certificates ordered from Immigration in Sydney. The City will close off a ceremony earlier if numbers have reached maximum capacity.

Our January ceremony is held on Australia Day, 26 January each year.

The wait time to attend a ceremony is between three to six months. The invitation will include important information, so please read it carefully.

Anyone over the age of 16 at the time of application must bring photo ID to their ceremony. Dependants (under the age of 16 at the time of application) are not required to attend the ceremony but it is encouraged. The Presiding Officer for many of our citizenship ceremonies is the Mayor of Kwinana. The dress code is smart. 

2023 Ceremony dates

• Thursday 26 January (Australia Day)
• Tuesday 14 March 
• Tuesday 16 May
• Tuesday 26 July
• Sunday 17 September
• Tuesday 15 November

Obtaining a Passport

Applications for an Australian passport can be lodged at your local post office after you receive your citizenship certificate and the ceremony. It is recommended that you wait 10 working days after your citizenship ceremony before applying for an Australian Passport. For more information on passports, visit www.passports.gov.au or phone 131 232.

Frequently Asked Questions