Citizenship

Applications for citizenship are managed by the Department of Home Affairs. For information on eligibility and how to apply to be an Australian citizen, please contact the Department of Home Affairs citizenship information line on 131 880.

Once citizenship applications have been processed by the Department, and Council has been notified of an applicant’s success, an invitation will be sent to attend a ceremony at Penrith City Council where new citizens will receive their Citizenship Certificate. This can take up to 6 months from the date of your approval letter.

Penrith City Council is only responsible for hosting the citizenship ceremony, which is the final stage receiving your citizenship. Applicants are advised to ensure their address is up-to-date in their ImmiAccount.

Attending a citizenship ceremony is the compulsory final stage of becoming an Australian citizen. Candidates must attend and recite the pledge in order to validate their citizenship and receive their certificate. There are two pledges that conferees, can choose from: one mentions God and the other does not. To view the pledges, please visit the Australian Citizenship Pledge page.

Face-to-face citizenship ceremonies are conducted with COVID-Safety precautions in accordance with NSW Health Guidelines. All attendees and guests at a face-to-face citizenship ceremony at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre are requested to read and adhere to The Joan’s Patron COVID Safety Information during citizenship ceremonies.

The Department of Home Affairs advises that approved applicants can be required to wait up to 12 months to be invited to an Australian Citizenship Ceremony. The Penrith City Council waitlist is currently approximately 3 months.

Penrith City Council plans to host one citizenship ceremony per month for local residents who have been approved to become Australia Citizens by the Department of Home Affairs.

Penrith City Council's ceremonies are held either at the Penrith City Council Chambers or in the Richard Bonynge Concert Hall at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre (you will be advised of the location in your invitation). On arrival conferees are welcomed by Council staff who check your Drivers Licence or Passport to confirm your identity.

Once everyone has been seated, the ceremony begins. It is not possible to enter the ceremony once it has commenced, so if you are late, you will miss out.

The ceremony is usually hosted by the Mayor of Penrith, and can be attended by Councillors, state and federal members, Council staff, and representatives from local community groups. Those planning to become citizens will be required to recite the Australian Citizenship Pledge. Following the pledge, new citizens will receive their Australian Citizenship Certificate. There may also be a chance for a photograph with the Mayor.

Officers from the Australian Electoral Commission attend Council’s in-person citizenship ceremonies and at the conclusion of the ceremony you can complete an Electoral Enrolment form so that your name can be added to the Electoral Roll.

Guest capacities are capped at ceremonies to ensure we can accommodate as many new citizens as possible. Guest numbers permitted at your ceremony will be outlined in your invitation. Guests may be seated separately to conferees as part of our COVID-Safe measures.  

If you have been invited to a ceremony that you are unable to attend, please follow the steps outlined in your invitation to notify Council.

Ceremonies generally take 45 minutes. Please ensure you arrive early, as we are unable to accept late arrivals once the ceremony begins.

Officers from the Australian Electoral Commission attend Council’s in-person citizenship ceremonies and at the conclusion of the ceremony you can complete an Electoral Enrolment form so that your name can be added to the Electoral Roll.

For further information on your citizenship application status or eligibility please contact the Department of Home Affairs Citizenship info line on 131 880 or visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/become-a-citizen

Please note: Penrith City Council does not process applications and our staff are not involved in any decision making. All decisions are made by the Department of Home Affairs.

Any further questions about your ceremony please contact our Events Team on 4732 7777.