Citizenship Ceremony

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

How do I apply for citizenship?

You need to meet criteria to be eligible to apply.  You must apply for citizenship online or you can request paper copies of relevant forms from the Department of Home Affairs.  Lodge your completed application together with an application fee to the Department.  You will be asked to attend an appointment to have an interview and sit a citizenship test.  For all information on becoming an Australian citizen please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

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 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 managed and approved 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 [email protected] or by calling their office on 131 880. 

From the time of receiving your letter of approval from the Department of Home Affairs, it may take several months to recieve an invitaton to attend a ceremony due to the high number of approvals. If you wish to make the pledge with family or friends who have also applied for citizenship, you must let the Department know at the time of your interview so they can link your applications together.

Ceremonies at the City of Cockburn are usually held once a month on a Monday evening at 6pm. Please arrive at 5.30pm for registration and remember to bring photo identification. Identity documents must be current and original documents (not photographs on your phone, or photocopies).

Passports

You can apply for an Australian passport after you have attended a citizenship ceremony, made the Australian Citizenship Pledge and received your citizenship certificate. It can take at least 3 to 6 weeks to get a new Australian Passport after your ceremony. Contact your local post office for an application form and to arrange a time to submit your passport application or complete the passport application online. For assistance, call the Australian Passport Information Office on 131 232.

Lost citizenship certificates

If you have lost your certificate and need evidence of your Australian citizenship, you can order a replacement certificate from the Department of Home Affairs website. You will need to complete an application form and pay the applicable fee for a new or replacement certificate.

Tips

Apply early, as the whole process can take a long time.  If you are planning to travel and wish to travel on an Australian Passport, are going to university and want to apply for the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) or are applying for a job requiring Australian Citizenship, you need to apply for citizenship well in advance.

Security

You are welcome to take photos at your ceremony for personal use only.  However please take extreme care if posting photos with your citizenship certificate to social media sites. To protect yourself from possible identity theft, ensure your personal details on the certificate including your full name, date of birth and identification numbers are not clearly visible or able to be copied.  Please do not engage professional photogrpahers or videographers to film your ceremony.
 

Frequently asked questions

I want to apply for Australian Citizenship, can you send me the forms?

For information on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Department of Home Affairs website: Become an Australian Citizen

How often do you hold the citizenship ceremonies?

The City of Cockburn usually holds citizenship ceremonies once a month, except in December.

I have received my approval letter. Can I book into the next ceremony?

Not necessarily. The Department of Home Affairs sends a list of names to the City of Cockburn with the contact details for applicants who have been allocated to our next ceremony. We cannot confirm your ceremony date without having first received your approval details from the Department. Once received, an invitation will be emailed to you approximately five weeks before the ceremony. 

I am unable to attend the ceremony I have been invited to. Can I reschedule?

Yes. We can move you to the next available ceremony. You may have to wait up to three months for your ceremony if the next one is full.

Can I have an urgent ceremony (for passports / study loans / job applications)?

No. The Department does not allow Councils to hold private or urgent ceremonies. We can only allocate you to our next available ceremony once the Department has sent us your details.

In genuinely urgent, compelling and unforseen circumstances, the Department of Home Affairs may be able to facilitate an urgent ceremony where an apporved client has demonstrated that they meet exceptional circumstances. If you believe you have a valid reason to request an urgent ceremony, you should email the Department at [email protected] along with supporting evidence.

I live in another Council. Can I have my ceremony at Cockburn?

No. We can only accommodate Cockburn residents. Applicants for Australian citizenship are required to attend a citizenship ceremony in their local council area, or at a location advised by the Department of Home Affairs.

I have my approval letter but haven't been contacted yet for a ceremony. Have you received my details?
Due to the high numbers of approved applicants waiting for a ceremony in Cockburn, it may take several months from receiving your letter of approval to being invited to attend a ceremony. Currently the average wait for a ceremony at the City of Cockburn is around 3 months from date of approval until a ceremony date.
 
Can I bring a guest to my ceremony?
Due to strict seating limits you are invited to bring one (1) guest only. You will be seated at the front of the room separately to your guest, who will be seated in the guest area at the back of the room. Please let us know if you have young children that you would like to be seated with you rather than in the guest area, or if you need space for a pram or walking aid beside you. 

Upcoming ceremony dates

Please note: Dates and times are subject to change.
Date Time Status
Monday 6 May 2024 6pm Closed. Attendance list finalised.
Monday 17 June 2024 6pm Invitations will be emailed 6 weeks before ceremony date.
Monday 12 August 2024 6pm Invitations will be emailed 6 weeks before ceremony date.
Monday 19 August 2024 6pm Invitations will be emailed 6 weeks before ceremony date.
Monday 16 September 2024 6pm Invitations will be emailed 6 weeks before ceremony date.
Monday 14 October 2024 6pm Invitations will be emailed 6 weeks before ceremony date.
Monday 11 November 2024 6pm Invitations will be emailed 6 weeks before ceremony date.


More information and contact

Ceremonies are closed at least 4 weeks before the ceremony date to allow time for invitations to be emailed and for certificates to be sent by the Department of Home Affairs in Sydney.

All queries regarding scheduling of your Citizenship Ceremony should be directed to the Department of Home Affairs by email [email protected] or by calling 131 880.

Please contact the City about citizenship ceremonies on 08 9411 3444 or email

Contact

Address

City of Cockburn
Whadjuk Boodja
9 Coleville Crescent,
Spearwood 6163

PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake DC,
Western Australia, 6965

Office opening hours:
8.30am to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

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Cockburn Nyungar moort Beeliar boodja-k kaadadjiny. Koora, yeyi, benang baalap nidja boodja-k kaaradjiny.
Ngalak kaadatj dayin boodja, kep wer malayin. Ngalak kaadatj koora koora wer yeyi ngalang birdiya.

City of Cockburn acknowledges the Nyungar people of Beeliar boodja. Long ago, now and in the future they care for Country.
We acknowledge a continuing connection to land, waters and culture and pay our respects to the Elders, past and present.