Role-play Script

A citizenship ceremony is usually 20 to 30 minutes in length.
See: Role Playing an Australian Citizenship Ceremony (35KB PDF file)

1. Citizenship candidates and their guests arrive

The candidates sit together.

2. The official party arrives

The MC (MC) addresses the audience as follows:

'Please stand as the official guests enter and take their seats… Thank-you. Please be seated.'

3. Welcome to all guests

The MC welcomes all present as follows:

'Welcome Minister/Mayor, distinguished guests, candidates for Australian citizenship, ladies and gentlemen.

'Welcome to today's Australian citizenship ceremony.

'This ceremony marks a very special moment for those of you becoming Australian citizens, and for those sharing this time with you. I hope you enjoy this special day.'

4. An indigenous welcome or performance is given

If there is a local indigenous representative present, they will make a brief 'welcome to country'. Indigenous performers may also perform a dance or give a musical item.

The MC introduces the local indigenous representative:

'I would now like to ask (insert name), an elder/representative of the (insert name) people, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, to welcome us.'

Following the welcome the MC responds:

'Thank you (insert name) for your welcome. On behalf of all participants, I would like to acknowledge the (insert name) people, who are the traditional owners of the country/land on which today's ceremony is taking place.

'We recognise the living culture of the (insert name) people and the unique contribution they make to the life of the (insert name) region.'

In the absence of a traditional Elder or indigenous representative, replace the above steps with the following Acknowledgement:

'I would like to acknowledge the (insert name) people, who are the traditional owners of the country/land on which our ceremony today is taking place.

'We recognise the living culture of the (insert name) people and the unique contribution they make to the life of the (insert name) region.'

5. The Presiding Officer (the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship or the Mayor) delivers the opening address

The MC introduces the Presiding Officer:

'I would now like to introduce the Presiding Officer to deliver the opening address.'

The Presiding Officer addresses the audience as follows:

'Welcome to today's Australian Citizenship ceremony. This citizenship ceremony is being conducted in accordance with the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 and the Australian Citizenship Regulations 1960. I have been delegated as a person before whom the Australian Citizenship Pledge of Commitment as a Citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia shall be made.

'I would like to congratulate you on your decision to become an Australian citizen. Making the Australian Citizenship Pledge is the final step in your becoming an Australian citizen.

'At the conclusion of the citizenship ceremony and after the new citizens have been presented with their Australian citizenship certificates I will invite everyone to participate in a short affirmation ceremony. This is an opportunity for all Australians to make a statement, similar to that made by new citizens, publicly affirming their loyalty and commitment to Australia and its people. Participation is voluntary and reading the affirmation has no legal effect.

'I would now like to introduce the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.'

6. If the Minister is not attending the Mayor or a representative of the Minister delivers the Minister's message.

Students may like to write a message from the Minister, drawing on the following text:

Australia is one of the most diverse societies in the world. As a community we are proud of our diversity and celebrate the richness it brings to Australia.

What brings us together as a people and a nation is our commitment to a set of core civic values. It is these civic values that underpin Australian citizenship. Australian citizenship is a strong and unifying force in our community.

Australian citizenship is about:

Australian citizenship is also about:

Choosing to become an Australian citizen demonstrates commitment to Australia and the desire to belong and contribute to Australia

When you have pledged your loyalty to Australia and its people you will become Australian citizens, and as such you will share the same privileges and responsibilities as those who were born in Australia.

7. Official guests are given the opportunity to speak

The MC introduces each speaker in turn. Cultural or musical performances can be conducted between speeches.

Students playing official guests can write their own speeches, drawing on the following text.

Citizenship is a common bond that unites all Australians, whether they are Australia's traditional inhabitants, first generation migrants or the descendants of earlier settlers. Our rich heritage stems from the contributions made by all of us.

The decision to become an Australian citizen is a major one. It involves commitment, responsibility, celebration of the present and belief in a shared future.

Being an Australian citizen enables full participation in our inclusive society. It enables all to realise aspirations and achieve full potential, regardless of race, background, gender, religion, language or place of birth.

Australia is committed to many values and institutions including parliamentary democracy, equality before the law, freedom of speech and religion, equality between men and women and equality of opportunity for all.

We all need to belong to a family or a community, to share a past and to hold common hopes and goals for the future. By becoming an Australian citizen you are showing that you want to be a part of Australia's future.

No one who applies for Australian citizenship is expected to renounce their cultural identity, customs or traditions. Australia's heritage is made richer by contributions from people from all over the world.

While we embrace and celebrate the diversity of the Australian people, we also aim to build a cohesive and unified nation of people. Australian citizenship lies at the heart of a unified nation.

8. The Presiding Officer reads the Preamble to the Australian Citizenship Act 1948

'I would now like to read the Preamble to the Australian Citizenship Act 1948.'

Preamble:

'Australian citizenship represents formal membership of the community of the Commonwealth of Australia; and

Australian citizenship is a common bond, involving reciprocal rights and obligations, uniting all Australians, while respecting their diversity; and

Persons granted Australian citizenship enjoy these rights and undertake to accept these obligations,

By pledging loyalty to Australia and its people, and

By sharing their democratic beliefs, and

By respecting their rights and liberties, and

By upholding and obeying the laws of Australia'.

9. The Presiding Officer administers the Australian Citizenship Pledge to citizenship candidates

'I would now like to call on candidates who have indicated they wish to take Pledge 1, to stand and make this pledge. Please repeat after me ( the Presiding Officer reads one line at a time ):

Australian Citizenship Pledge # 1:

'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.

'Thank you, please be seated.

'I would now like to call on candidates who have indicated they wish to take Pledge 2, to stand and make this pledge. Please repeat after me ( the Presiding Officer reads one line at a time ):

Australian Citizenship Pledge # 2:

'From this time forward,

I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people

Whose democratic beliefs I share,

Whose eights and liberties I respect,

And whose laws I will uphold and obey.

'Thank you, please be seated.'

10. The Presiding Officer or an official guest presents certificates of Australian citizenship to new citizens. Gifts are also presented to new citizens.

The MC calls each candidate forward individually by name.

The Presiding Officer or an official guest presents each new citizen with their Certificate of Australian Citizenship and gifts.

New citizens return to their seats.

11. The Presiding Officer congratulates new citizens.

'On behalf of the people of Australia, I would like to congratulate our new citizens for the commitment you have made to being part of Australia's future. This commitment is appreciated and welcomed by the whole community.

'I invite everyone here to give our newest citizens a warm welcome as full members of the Australian community. I wish you all the best for the future.'

12. The Presiding Officer or official guest invites people to take part in the affirmation ceremony.

An affirmation ceremony is a short ceremony at which all Australians are given the opportunity to publicly affirm their loyalty and commitment to Australia. Participation in affirmation ceremonies is voluntary and have no legal effect.

Affirmation ceremonies are often held at citizenship ceremonies and provide the opportunity for all present to be involved in the proceedings of the day. Words of the affirmation should be provided to all present at the ceremony.

'I would like to invite all Australians here who wish to publicly affirm their commitment to Australia and its people to join me in an affirmation ceremony.

'Participation is voluntary and affirmation ceremonies have no legal effect. Non-Australian citizens are welcome to join in at the second line of the affirmation, copies of which have been provided to everyone.

'Please stand and join me in reading the affirmation. Please repeat after me ( the Presiding Officer or official guest reads one line at a time ):

Australian Citizenship Affirmation:

'As an Australian citizen,

I affirm my loyalty to Australia and its people,

Whose democratic belief I share,

Whose rights and liberties I respect,

And whose laws I uphold and obey.

'Thank you.'

13. The Presiding Officer asks all present to stand and sing the National Anthem

'I ask you to please remain standing and join us in singing the National Anthem:

'Advance Australia Fair

Australians all let us rejoice,

For we are young and free;

We've golden soil and wealth for toil;

Our home is girt by sea;

Our land abounds in nature's gifts

Of beauty rich and rare;

In history's page, let every stage

Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,

Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross

We'll toil with hearts and hands;

To make this Commonwealth of ours

Renowned of all the lands;

For those who've come across the seas

We've boundless plains to share;

With courage let us all combine

To Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,

Advance Australia Fair.

'Please be seated… That concludes today's proceedings. Thank-you everyone for being part of today's proceedings.'

Citizenship ceremonies often conclude with light refreshments and opportunities for group photos.