From this time forward, under God,*
I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people,
whose democratic beliefs I share,
whose rights and liberties I respect, and
whose laws I will uphold and obey.

* A person may choose whether or not to use the words ‘under God’.

Listen to the Australian citizenship Pledge

The Australian citizenship pledge is a sworn statement by every migrantion candidates who wants to become an Australian citizen.

The importance of the pledge is for all Australian citizens to understand our responsibilities and what it means to be a citizen, whether we are Australian by birth or by choice. It is a critical part of building our nation.

During an Australian citizenship ceremonies, the above pledge will be sworn and a citizenship certificate will be presented to the new Australian citizens.

Today, on the 17th September is the Australian citizenship day. This year also marked as the 65th anniversary of the Australian citizenship program which began in 1948 as the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 and rename to the title of the current legislation Australian Citizenship Act in 1973.

Brief History of the Australian Citizenship

• In 1914, United Kingdom National and Status of Aliens Act was adopted by British Commonwealth countries (with the exception of Ireland), providing a common code under which all British subjects had a common status throughout the British Commonwealth.
• In 1946, Canada departed from the common code and enacted the Canadian Citizenship Act
• In 1947, Following consultations between Governments of British Commonwealth countries, the UK convened a conference of nationality experts. The key decision was that each Commonwealth country would have its own citizenship law defining its citizens and also declare those citizens to be British subjects.
• In 1948, Australia passed legislation, the Australian Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948.
• In 1949, The Australian Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 came into effect on Australia Day, 26 January 1949.
• In 1949, The first Australian citizenship ceremony was held on 3 February 1949 at Albert Hall, Canberra.
• In September 17th 1973, the Australian Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 was rename to the Australian Citizenship Act
• In 2001, the first Australian citizenship Day was introduced to increase community awareness of Australian citizenship. Australian Citizenship Day now provides a main point for citizenship-related activities and celebrations
• In 2007, Australian citizenship test was introduced and amended in the Australian citizenship Act
• In 2014, Celebrating 65th year of Australian citizenship program

In 2012-13 more than 3200 citizenship ceremonies took place across the nation with approximately 123 000 people becoming Australian citizens. The top five countries of previous citizenship were the United Kingdom, India, Philippines, China and South Africa.

At the end of the Australian citizenship ceremonies, the national anthem 'Advance Australia Fair' will be played and we have made our own version of it.

Congratulations to all the people receiving their Australian citizenship in today's ceremonies.

Ozihelp Admin