Quick Contact
Become an Australian citizen
Overview
Being an Australian citizen is a privilege not a right. While you are granted entitlements as a citizen of Australia there are important responsibilities you must accept too.
Responsibilities and privileges
As an Australian citizen, you have new responsibilities to:
- behave in accordance with Australia’s democratic beliefs
- respects the rights and liberties of Australia
- follow and obey the law
- vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in referenda
- defend Australia if necessary
- serve on jury duty if summoned
Citizenship entitlements
As an Australian citizen, you are eligible for certain entitlements too.
You can:
- apply for an Australian passport
- leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want
- ask for help from an Australian consulate if in trouble overseas
- vote in federal, state or territory elections
- vote in a Constitutional referendum or plebiscite
- seek election to parliament, if you are aged 18 years or over and are not dual citizen
- register the birth of your children in another country as an Australian citizen
Making a promise
At your citizenship ceremony, you will make the Australian citizenship pledge.
You promise to remain loyal to Australia and its people and to share and uphold Australia’s:
- democratic beliefs
- rights
- liberties
- laws
Australia is a democracy. You can freely elect representatives to run the country and make laws on your behalf.