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Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship?

When you become an Australian citizen, you will have additional responsibilities and privileges.

Responsibilities - what you will give Australia

As an Australian citizen you must:

  • obey the laws of Australia
  • vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum
  • defend Australia should the need arise
  • serve on jury duty if called to do so

Privileges - what Australia will give you

As an Australian citizen you can:

  • vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum
  • apply for children born overseas to become Australian citizens by descent
  • apply for a job in the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force
  • seek election to parliament
  • apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely
  • ask for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas

Making a pledge

At your Australian citizenship ceremony, you will make the Australian Citizenship Pledge. In doing so, you are making a public commitment to Australia and accepting the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.

At the citizenship ceremony, you will pledge:

  • your loyalty to Australia and its people
  • that you will share Australia’s democratic beliefs and respect its rights and liberties
  • to uphold and obey the laws of Australia
  • You do not become an Australian citizen until you have made your pledge of commitment to Australia