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.

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.