Australia Day - 26 January
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Overview
Australia Day is on 26 January each year. This day is an opportunity for us to think about the importance and value of being Australian.
Australia Day 2008
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd conferred citizenship on more
than 100 new Australians at Regatta Point. © DIAC 2008
Around 14 000 people from more than 100 countries became citizens at Australia Day events around the nation this year.
The largest Australia Day ceremony this year was in the City of Stirling in Perth, Western Australia, where more than 1300 people became citizens.
Not all ceremonies involved hundreds of conferees, many were small community events staged by local councils.
More than four million people have become citizens since Australian citizenship was introduced in 1949.
The first citizenship ceremony took place in February 1949 at Albert Hall in Canberra, where seven conferees represented the six states and the Australian Capital Territory.
See: Australia Day 2008 citizenship ceremony
Celebrating citizenship on Australia Day
Daruka Kuer (left) is joined by her family as the Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd (centre) and Department of Immigration
and Citizenship Secretary Andrew Metcalfe (right) present
her with her new citizenship certificate. © DIAC 2008
Citizenship ceremonies are an important part of Australia Day celebrations. They are often presided over by officials including the Australian Governor General, Prime Minister, Government Ministers and local government Mayors.
See: Citizenship Ceremonies
Australia Day is also an opportunity for all Australians to affirm their commitment to Australia by taking part in an Affirmation ceremony. These ceremonies may be part of a citizenship ceremony or other community function.
See: Affirmation Ceremonies
Australian of the Year Awards
As part of the national Australia Day celebrations, the Prime Minister announces the recipients of the Australian of the Year Awards.
The department proudly sponsors the Local Hero Award which recognises the contributions of citizens in their local communities.
See: Local Hero Award
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.
See: National Australia Day Council