The Department of Home Affairs advises that once you have received the approval letter from the Department of Home Affairs, the waiting time can be between 4 to 6 months.

Citizenship Ceremonies are gauged by a Conferral Planning Reports sent to the District Council of Grant from the Department of Home Affairs. Once these reports are received by the Council, you will then be contacted by the Council to arrange a ceremony.

Citizenship Ceremonies are held in Council Chamber of the District Council of Grant Chamber.  Ceremonies will also be held on Australia Day and Citizenship Day and other times throughout the year as required.

The Citizenship Ceremony will run for approximately 30 minutes.

Ceremonies can vary slightly but the main elements are:

• Official welcome
• Pledge of commitment to Australia
• Presentation of certificates of Australia citizenship
• Presentation of a gift to all new citizens

Smart casual dress or traditional dress.

No. When you first applied for your Australian Citizenship through the Department of Home Affairs, you would have been asked if you wanted to make an oath or affirmation pledge. The District Council of Grant will be advised by the Department of Home Affairs of your preference and will present you with a pledge card upon your name being called at the ceremony to read from.

There are two variations of the citizenship pledge - the Oath and the Affirmation. The Oath pledge refers to 'God' whereas the Affirmation pledge does not. When you receive your invitation to a ceremony, it will note the pledge that you have selected during the Department of Home Affairs approval process.

The District Council of Grant encourages people to bring any religious books that they would like to make an oath on.

Children aged 16 years and over are legally required to attend their citizenship ceremony and take the citizenship pledge to become an Australian citizen. Children under the age of 16 are not legally required to take the citizenship pledge, however the District Council of Grant encourages them to participate in taking the citizenship pledge where possible.

You are most welcome to share this memorable occasion with relatives and friends.

Yes. Once the candidates have been invited and accepted the invitation to the ceremony, the District Council of Grant is required to order the Citizenship Certificates from the Department of Home Affairs four weeks prior to the ceremony. The certificates are printed and sent to the Council for the ceremony.

If you have lost your citizenship certificate, you will need to contact the Department of Home Affairs to arrange a replacement on 13 18 80. The District Council of Grant cannot issue or replace citizenship certificates.