Celebrating Australian Citizenship

Australian citizenship celebrations provide an opportunity to reflect on what being an Australian citizen means. It is important for all Australian citizens to understand our responsibilities and privileges, whether we are Australian by birth or by choice.

In schools

Isis District State High School , Queensland

Isis District State High School held special school assemblies to celebrate Australian Citizenship Day 2011, where students learnt about Australian citizenship and participated in an Australian citizenship affirmation ceremony.

Year 12 Coordinator, Gloria Davey, commented 'it was pleasantly surprising to see how much our students loved taking part in the Affirmation, showing their pride in being Australians, as part of Australian Citizenship Day.'

Our Lady of the Nativity Primary School, Melbourne, Victoria

Our Lady of the Nativity school in the Melbourne suburb of Aberfeldie hosted an Australian citizenship ceremony for 32 new citizens in October 2009.

The ceremony was the culmination of a unit of work studying Australian citizenship and 'the Australian spirit'.

'It was the best thing I've done in my teaching career,' said Deputy Principal Grant Lewis.

The school hosted the ceremony in conjunction with the Moonee Valley City Council.

Plympton Primary School, Adelaide, South Australia

New educational resources for primary and secondary schools titled I am Australian: Exploring Australian citizenship were launched by the former Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, at a special event at Adelaide's Plympton Primary School.

The former minister also conferred Australian citizenship on one of the Plympton students and the student's father, Kevin and Ken Yang.

The Plympton students had completed a unit of work focussing on 'what it means to be an Australian citizen' and their activities and projects were displayed at the ceremony.

The former Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, reads the new education resource with Plympton school student and new citizen, Kevin Yang. Photo not to be used or reproduced without the permission of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

New citizens Mr Zhenguo (Ken) Yang, 43, and his son Pengyu (Kevin) with the former Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans. Photo not to be used or reproduced without the permission of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Thornlie Primary School, Perth, Western Australia

Three families became Australian citizens at a special citizenship ceremony at Thornlie Primary School in Perth as part of the school's 2010 Harmony Day celebrations.

Thornlie Primary School has hosted citizenship ceremonies since 2006. In 2010 four students and their families became Australian citizens at the ceremony.

Members of the Hutchinson family proudly display their new certificates. Photo not to be used or reproduced without the permission of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Indigenous elder, Marie Taylor, gave a welcome to country in the language of the Nyungar people. She told a local dreamtime story to the sounds of a didgeridoo.

Students from Thornlie High School, Thornlie Islamic College and Singapore West View Primary (sister school to Thornlie Primary) also participated in the activities.

Thornlie Primary School hosts an Australian citizenship ceremony. Photo not to be used or reproduced without the permission of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

To conclude the morning's event, Thornlie Primary School Principal, Mr Kevin Saunders, led an Australian citizenship affirmation ceremony to allow all present to publicly declare their loyalty to Australia and to its people.

In the workplace

Aussie cake features at an Australian Citizenship Day workplace celebration. Photo not to be used or reproduced without the permission of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Australian Citizenship Day is a great opportunity to hold an Australian citizenship affirmation ceremony in your workplace followed by a morning or afternoon tea.

In the community

The community plays an important role in many different Australian citizenship celebrations.

You can acknowledge those people in your community who you believe showcase the attributes of a good Australian citizen by nominating them for Australia's Local Hero Award as part of the Australian of the Year Awards.

The department has a partnership with the National Australia Day Council to celebrate and reflect on what it means to be an Australian citizen on Australia Day each year.