Australia Day 26 January

Australia Day is celebrated on 26 January each year. This day is an opportunity for us to think about the importance and value of being Australian. We celebrate what we have achieved as a nation together and recommit to making Australia an even better place for the future.

Australia Day 2012

Citizenship ceremonies are an important part of Australia Day celebrations. Since the first Australian citizenship ceremony in 1949, more than four million people have chosen to become Australian citizens.

Australia Day celebrations this year saw around 13 700 people from 144 countries became Australian citizens across the nation.

In Sydney, Minister Chris Bowen presided over a ceremony for 30 people at Sydney's iconic Luna Park.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Governor General Quentin Bryce with the new citizens at their special Australia Day citizenship ceremony on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin. Photo not to be used or reproduced without the permission of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Along the banks of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, Prime Minister Julia Gillard conferred Australian citizenship on 27 people at a special ceremony which was televised live on ABC 1, with some 93 000 viewers.

Around 365 citizenship ceremonies were hosted across the nation on Australia Day by local councils and community groups.

Brisbane City Council hosts this year's largest Australia Day citizenship ceremony. Photo not to be used or reproduced without the permission of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Brisbane City Council once again hosted the largest citizenship ceremony on the day, welcoming 1200 of the 3850 people who became citizens across Queensland.

The Hon Kate Ellis, MP presided over the citizenship ceremony at Adelaide Oval. Photo not to be used or reproduced without the permission of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

In South Australia, cricket fans witnessed 24 people become Australian citizens during a break in the Australia-India International test match at the historic Adelaide Oval.

South Australian Cricket Australia (SACA) officials, councillors from Adelaide City Council and State and Federal members of parliament were all present to welcome the new citizens into the community.

In Victoria, the sporting theme continued with Melbourne Victory Football Club co-hosting a citizenship ceremony with the Department for 80 citizens on field at AAMI Park ahead of the Melbourne Victory-Sydney FC football game. An estimated 30 000 spectators joined in for an Australian citizenship affirmation ceremony. Essendon Football Club and Cricket Victoria also joined the Department to host another special ceremony at Essendon's Windy Hill.

Celebrating citizenship on Australia Day

Citizenship ceremonies are an important part of Australia Day celebrations. They are often led by officials including the Governor-General, Prime Minister, government representatives or other prominent Australian citizens.

Australia Day is also an opportunity for all Australians to affirm their commitment to Australia by taking part in an Australian citizenship affirmation ceremony. These ceremonies may be part of a citizenship ceremony or other community function. The Governor General, her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, led new citizens and guests in an affirmation ceremony as part of Canberra's Australia Day celebrations.

Australian of the Year Awards

2012 Australian of the Year Award recipients Geoffrey Rush (right), Marita Cheng (second right) and Lynne Sawyers (left). Photo not to be used or reproduced without the permission of the National Australia Day Council.

As part of the national Australia Day celebrations, the Prime Minister announced the recipients of the Australian of the Year Awards. Each year we recognise the achievements and contributions of eminent Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards by profiling leading citizens who are role models for us all. They inspire and challenge us to make our own contribution to creating a better Australia.

The department proudly sponsors the Local Hero Award which recognises the contributions of citizens in their local communities.

National Australia Day Council

Lynne Sawyer, Australia's Local Hero 2012. Photo not to be used or reproduced without the permission of the National Australia Day Council.

The department works in partnership with the National Australia Day Council (NADC) to encourage everyone to celebrate what’s great about Australia and reflect on what it means to be an Australian citizen.