Citizenship and Affirmation Ceremonies
This tool describes two ceremonies which mark a commitment to being an Australian Citizen: Citizenship Ceremonies and Affirmation Ceremonies.
It explains the ceremonies, the pledges, and provides guidelines to protocols and conventions of the ceremonies.
This tool includes:
• Resource one—The Citizenship Ceremony
• Resource two—The Affirmation Ceremony
Why use this tool?
• This tool provides background to one of the key formal ceremonies (Citizenship Ceremony) which might be a feature of your Australia Day celebrations, and which is a significant event for many people who have decided to make Australia their home.
• It also clearly explains the function of Affirmation Ceremonies.
• By referring to the guidelines and protocols you will ‘get it right’.
• The tool clarifies the function and wording for the pledges for both types of ceremony.
The general public is probably more familiar with the Citizenship Ceremony than the Affirmation Ceremony. Not all Australians are aware that there is an affirmation for existing citizens and that it can be said at any time or event when Australians wish to express their commitment to the nation.
About Australian Citizenship and the Australian Affirmation
Australian citizenship is more than just a ceremony and forms an important part of Australia Day celebrations. It symbolises our unity as a nation. It represents commitment to Australia and its people, the values we share and our common future. It also symbolises the sense of belonging to the country where we have been born or where we have decided to make our home. Australian citizenship is a shared identity, a common bond which unites all Australians while respecting our diversity.
Citizenship Ceremonies
- Citizenship ceremonies have both personal and legal dimensions. Citizenship brings with it significant rights and responsibilities, including the right to vote, stand for public office, and travel on an Australian passport.
- Most people are required to make the Pledge of Commitment as the final step in becoming an Australian citizen.
- Once their application has been approved, arrangements are made for them to attend a Citizenship Ceremony at which they make the pledge. Once the pledge had been made before a person delegated by the Minister, the person is an Australian citizen.
- An Australian Citizenship Affirmation is a statement that gives all Australians, not only our newest citizens, the opportunity to affirm their loyalty and commitment to Australia and its people.
Citizenship ceremonies are generally conducted by local government councils and can be held on Australia Day as part of the program of events. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship administers citizenship ceremonies. The Department notifies local government regarding new citizens in their area. There are clear protocols which must be followed in relation to Citizenship ceremonies. Find more information here: http://www.citizenship.gov.au/resources/ceremonies/code/
Affirmation Ceremonies
• Affirmation ceremonies can be held as part of Citizenship Ceremonies, or as separate events.
Affirmation Ceremonies can readily and easily be incorporated by local government into Citizenship Ceremonies.
RESOURCE ONE—The Citizenship Ceremony
- Who conducts the ceremony and where is it likely to be held?
The ceremony should usually be presided over by the mayor of the council and is often held in a town hall or other civic building (but this is not mandatory, see below).
- How formal should the ceremony be?
The ceremony legally formalises the citizenship of the participants and welcomes them as new Australian citizens. As a result, ceremonies should be simple and dignified occasions that represent the importance of the event. They should also be conducted in a friendly atmosphere.
- What are the key components of the ceremony?
The ceremony should usually include:
- an official welcome
- an address by a special guest or the mayor
- a process for citizens to make the pledge of commitment to Australia
- a process for citizens to receive the Certificate of Australian Citizenship
- the presentation of a gift to citizens to mark their Australian Citizenship
- singing of the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair [See About the National Anthem Tool].
- What is the Pledge of Commitment?
Making the pledge is a moving, important part of the Citizenship Ceremony. The pledge reads:
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.
* New citizens can choose to take the pledge in the form of an oath, which includes the words ‘under God’, or in the form of an affirmation, which does not.
- What follows after the taking of the pledge?
1. Presentation of the certificate of Australian Citizenship
Once participants have made the pledge they should be given their certificate of Australian Citizenship.
2. Opportunity to complete an electoral enrolment form
Participants should also be able to complete an electoral enrolment form which registers them on the electoral roll.
- What can we do to add colour and fun to the event?
You can make your Australia Day Citizenship ceremony special by holding it outside in a park, inviting a school choir to sing, having a welcome to country ceremony or arranging for a special guest speaker.
RESOURCE TWO—The Affirmation Ceremony
Affirmation ceremonies allow Australian-born citizens to affirm their loyalty to Australia and its people—engendering a feeling of belonging to their community and building pride in their citizenship. These ceremonies have no status in law and no legal effect. Participation is voluntary.
- How do people know about the possibility of an Affirmation Ceremony?
The Affirmation Ceremony should be foreshadowed at the beginning of the function or Citizenship Ceremony to allow those present to consider whether they wish to participate. It should be made clear that participation is voluntary and that recitation of the affirmation has no legal effect.
- What is the Australian Citizenship Affirmation?
The Affirmation reads:
As an Australian citizen,
I affirm my loyalty to Australia and its people,
whose democratic beliefs I share
whose rights and liberties I respect,
and whose laws I uphold and obey.
- Why take the Affirmation?
Many Australians would not have had an opportunity to declare their commitment to Australia and its people at a Citizenship Ceremony because they were born in Australia. Some overseas-born Australian citizens have previously pledged their commitment to Australia at a Citizenship Ceremony. However, they may wish to join in and re-affirm their loyalty to Australia and its people. There are also many people living in Australia who, although not yet Australian citizens, consider Australia their home. They too may wish to express their loyalty to Australia and show their support for the values that are part of Australian citizenship, by joining in the affirmation from the second line.
- Who can conduct an Affirmation ceremony?
People conducting Affirmation Ceremonies should be Australian citizens.
- When are Affirmation Ceremonies offered?
Any Australian citizen can conduct Affirmation Ceremonies as part of special community celebrations, meetings, school assemblies and events such as a flag raising ceremony or a community BBQ. Affirmation Ceremonies are often part of celebrations for days of national significance such as: Australia Day (26 January); Harmony Day (21 March); ANZAC Day (25 April); Australian Citizenship Day (17 September).
- How is an invitation to participate in an Affirmation Ceremony usually made?
The ceremony host (or presiding officer) should invite all Australians who wish to publicly affirm their commitment to Australia and its people, to stand in their place and join in repeating the affirmation.
The host should also advise non-Australian citizens that they are welcome to join in at the second line.
- What are Affirmation cards? What is a special Australia Day Affirmation card?
Affirmation cards contain the words of the affirmation. The introduction of a special Australia Day Affirmation card is designed to give affirmation ceremonies on Australia Day a special significance and to distinguish them from ceremonies at other times of the year. Contact us at info@australiaday.org.au for Affirmation cards for Australia Day.
- What do we do with the Affirmation cards?
Affirmation cards should be placed on seats or handed to guests as they arrive. This will allow members of the audience to consider in advance whether they wish to make the affirmation, and to become familiar with the words of the affirmation.
- Where do organisers get the affirmation cards from?
A wide range of Australian citizenship and affirmation products are available at no charge and can be obtained via an online order form from http://www.citizenship.gov.au/resources/products/. The special edition Australia Day Affirmation cards can be ordered from the National Australia Day Council by emailing: info@australiaday.org.au.
Related tools
Australia Day and Reconciliation
URLs
Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Citizenship Ceremonies Code
http://www.citizenship.gov.au/resources/ceremonies/code/
Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Affirmation Ceremonies
http://www.citizenship.gov.au/resources/ceremonies/affirmation/
