Citizenship

New citizens with the mayor at a ceremony

In-person Australian citizenship ceremonies

We are conducting in-person citizenship ceremonies in line with the current COVID-19 restrictions. You will receive your invitation by email when it is your turn to attend a ceremony. Until that time, please have patience and wait to hear from us. It is important that you read your invitation carefully and follow all instructions. We will do our best to reduce future wait times and ceremonies may be in an altered format.

Becoming a citizen

The role of the Department of Home Affairs

  • All citizenship applications are made through the Department of Home Affairs.
  • You will receive an approval letter from the Department of Home Affairs and then be allocated to the next available scheduled ceremony with the City of Rockingham. These lists are emailed to the City six weeks prior to the scheduled ceremony date.
  • To see the application processing wait times for the Department of Home Affairs, please see the citizenship processing times .

The role of the City of Rockingham

The role of the City of Rockingham is to host the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies for the conferees to make the Pledge of Commitment in front of the Presiding Officer.

  • The City of Rockingham receives the ‘Ceremony Invitation List’ six weeks prior to the ceremony date.
  • Invitations will be emailed to conferees immediately.
  • The City is not able to make changes to your ceremony date, this must be done through the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Conferees must attend a ceremony within 12 months of their approval date.

About the ceremony

  • Ceremonies are hosted at the Gary Holland Community Centre
  • Please ensure you abide by the following requirements as entry may be refused to any additional guests:
    •    All individual conferees are able to bring one guest only plus conferee dependant children (16 years and below).
    •    All family conferees are able to bring one guest per family plus conferee dependant children (16 years and below).
  • Our January ceremony is held on 27 January 2024.
  • The wait time to attend a ceremony is between three to six months
  • All invitations are emailed to conferees six weeks prior to their ceremony date. The Department of Home Affairs provides the e-mail address for the invitation, ensure this is up to date.
  • The invitation will include important information, so please read it carefully.
  • Anyone over the age of 16 at the time of application must bring photo ID to their ceremony.
  • Dependants (under the age of 16 at the time of application) are not required to attend the ceremony but it is encouraged.
  • The Presiding Officer for a majority of our citizenship ceremonies is the Mayor of Rockingham.
  • The dress code is smart. This is stated on the invitation.

Ceremony dates

2024

  • Saturday 27 January
  • Monday 12 February
  • Monday 11 March
  • Monday 8 April
  • Monday 6 May
  • Monday 8 July
  • Monday 5 August
  • Monday 2 September
  • Monday 7 October (to be confirmed)
  • Monday 4 November 

FAQ and contact information

I need to update my personal information.

Please contact the Department of Home Affairs on ceremony.wa@homeaffairs.gov.au or 131 880. This can also be done on your ImmiAccount.

When will my ceremony be?

The City receives the invitation lists six weeks prior to the scheduled ceremony date. If you have not received your invitation after six months, please contact the Department of Home Affairs on ceremony.wa@homeaffairs.gov.au or 131 880.

How will I receive my invitation?

All invitations are emailed to conferees. Families will be included on the one invitation. It is important that you read the information carefully and confirm your attendance by the RSVP date.

How can I check the status of my application?

Please email the Department of Home Affairs on Perth.Citizenship@homeaffairs.gov.au.

I have been invited to a ceremony but I cannot attend.

If you have already received the invitation from the City of Rockingham but cannot attend the ceremony, please contact us on citizenship@rockingham.wa.gov.au or 9528 0333.

Your name will be removed from the City’s list and the Department of Home Affairs will allocate you to the next available ceremony. You are not able to ‘book-in’ to a scheduled ceremony date.

If you cannot attend due to exception, such as FIFO, please inform us and then make an application to the Department of Home Affairs. You will need to include evidence in your application. The application can be made by emailing ceremony.wa@homeaffairs.gov.au.

Do I have to attend a ceremony to become a citizen?

Yes, you must say the Pledge of Commitment in front of the Presiding Officer to become a citizen.

Passport

It is recommended that you wait 10 working days after your citizenship ceremony before applying for an Australian Passport. For more information on passports, please see the Australian Passport Office  or 131 232.

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