This page is about Australian citizenship ceremonies held in Knox. For information about applying for Australian citizenship visit the Department of Home Affairs website. Once the Department approves your application, they will send you an invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony. Council is unable to assist you with enquiries about your citizenship invitation, it is outside of the Local Government jurisdiction.
Attending a citizenship ceremony is the final step in becoming an Australian citizen.
2023 citizenship ceremonies
- Thursday 26 January 2023
- Sunday 19 February 2023
- Saturday 27 May 2023
- Friday 7 July 2023
- Sunday 17 September 2023
- Monday 30 October 2023
Location
The ceremonies are held at Rowville Performing Arts Centre in the Rowville Secondary College Eastern Campus, enter from Humphreys Way.
Waiting times
Although we conduct the citizenship ceremonies, it is outside of the Local Government jurisdiction to allocate candidates to ceremony dates. This is done by the Department of Home Affairs, who manage the invitation process as to who attends which ceremony.
The Department of Home Affairs will contact you when it is your turn to attend a ceremony. You can contact the Department of Home Affairs Citizenship Information Line on 131 880. Ceremony waiting times can be viewed here.
Your invitation
The Department of Home Affairs will send you an invitation about 4 weeks before your ceremony.
Your invitation will include the following information:
- ceremony date and location
- paperwork you must bring for identification purposes
If you cannot attend your citizenship ceremony, contact the Department of Home Affairs on 131 880. You do not need to contact Council.
Updating your details
If your personal details have changed and you applied online, please update via your ImmiAccount. This includes changes to your address, phone or email details.
If you applied on paper or are unable to update online, please contact the Department of Home Affairs on 131 880.
The day of your ceremony
Attendance at the ceremonies is invite-only and not open to the general public. The following conditions apply:
- You need to bring photo identification. If you do not show the required identification, you cannot become a citizen at the ceremony.
- Each household can bring one guest only.
- Babies, and small children who do not require their own seat, are welcome in addition to the one guest.
- Limited accessibility seats are available.
- For safety, prams are not permitted in the ceremony. Limited pram parking is available in the foyer.
It is important to arrive with plenty of time for registration and identification checks. Late arrivals may not be able to be accommodated.
You may bring your own holy book to take your citizenship pledge. Council does not provide holy books.
Do not attend if you have COVID-19 symptoms or need to isolate.
Identification
You must supply the required identification to become a citizen.
Accepted forms of photo identification are:
- a driver's licence
- a passport
- another official document which includes a photograph.
If you do not have any form of photographic identification you need to bring at least 3 documents that include your name, address and signature.
These documents could be:
- credit cards
- bills
- bank statements
Children under 16 years of age do not need to show identification. Children must be accompanied by the main applicant.
Dress code
There is a dress code for people attending ceremonies. It is a formal requirement and designed to reflect the significance of becoming an Australian citizen.
We encourage smart casual attire or national/traditional/cultural dress.
We strongly discourage:
- beachwear (bathers)
- bare feet
- clothes with slogans or images that may cause offence or distress.
We will refuse entry to the ceremony or ask you to change if your outfit poses:
- a risk to your health and safety
- an unreasonable risk of causing significant offence and/or distress to other attendees.
This decision is made by the Chief Executive Officer (or their representative at the Ceremony) and the Mayor.
Need help?
All enquiries about becoming an Australian citizen should be directed to the Department of Home Affairs on 131 880.
For more information about the citizenship ceremony venue or the dress code, contact us and we will get back to you.
Or call our Customer Service team on 9298 8000.
