(Exclusive Photo) Newly pledged Australian citizen receiving their citizenship certificate from Citizenship Ceremony on Australia Day 2016 in Sydney

Around 400 Australian citizenship ceremonies were held across the country today for Australia Day.

With a newly added 16,000 Australian citizens had pledged their loyalty.

In Canberra, the national ceremony were officiated by Prime Mininster Malcolm Turnbull, also attended the ceremony with 2016 Australian of the year David Morrison.

In Melbourne, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was at the Brimbank Council citizenship ceremony in his electorate, pledging by 220 new citizens from 38 countries.

In Brisbane, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk officiated at the state's largest citizenship ceremony, welcoming 582 newcomers to the Australian family.

In Sydney, the ceremony was presided and officiate by lord mayor Clover Moore and federal member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek for 30 new Australian citizens

Also during the Sydney citizenship ceremony, one of the six smoking ceremonies, which for the first time, are a focal point of the Australia day events.

We welcome all newly pledged Australian citizens, and a happy 2016 Australia Day

Ozihelp Admin

(Exclusive Photo) Smoking ceremony by indigenous Elder and his grandchildren