Service Updates

We are prioritising critical services and some services may be reduced. This means there will be longer wait times for customers contacting us by phone. Many of our services are available online. Advice on which services can continue is changing rapidly. For regular updates, go to knox.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

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Australian Citizenship

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, in-person citizenship ceremonies have been placed on hold.

To continue to enable conferees to become Australian citizens, the Department is undertaking online ceremonies through video link as an alternative to traditional in-person ceremonies. These online ceremonies will continue to be offered as a temporary replacement to traditional in-person ceremonies until the social distancing restrictions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic ease.

These ceremonies will be with the presiding officer and generally a single conferee, or a household group if they reside at the same location. Ceremonies performed via video link include integrity measures, such as confirming identity.

The Department is contacting conferees with full details of the process. There is no need to contact the Department or your local council about your ceremony.

In-person citizenship ceremonies will re-commence when it is safe to do so.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all face-to-face citizenship appointments have been placed on hold.

The Department will recommence in-person interviews and citizenship tests when it is safe to do so.

New applications for Australian citizenship are still able to be accepted during this period.

Processing continues on all applications for Australian citizenship that have already been lodged with the Department.

All enquiries regarding becoming an Australian Citizen should be directed to the Department of Home Affairs on 131 880.

Citizenship

Australian Citizenship Ceremonies are held at the Knox Civic Centre, 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South.

2020 Citizenship Ceremonies

Australia Day 2020

The Civic Centre opened at 9:45am for candidate registrations.
Candidates were required to register between 9:45am - 11am.
The Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony commenced at 11:15am.

Evening Ceremonies

Candidates are required to register between 5:00pm - 6:15pm.
Ceremonies commence at 6:30pm.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, Knox City Council Citizenship ceremonies are currently on hold.

What to bring to the ceremony

What to bring

Your printed letter of invitation (sent to you by the Department of Home Affairs) and photo identification.

Please note if you don't supply the required identification you are unable to become a citizen.

Appropriate forms of photo identification are:

a driver's licence, or
a passport, or
another official document which includes a photograph

If you do not have any form of photographic identification you will need to bring at least three documents with you that include your name and address and signature, such as credit cards, bills and bank statements.

Children under 16 years of age do not need to provide identification.

Frequently Asked Questions about Citizenship

What are the contact details for the Department of Home Affairs?

Phone 131 880 or visit the website on the link provided at the bottom of this page, or visit the Department's office in person at 2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Vic 3000.

How will I know when I should attend a Ceremony?

The Department of Home Affairs will send you a written letter of invitation about 3-4 weeks prior to the ceremony you have been allocated to attend.

The letter of invitation will include the ceremony date, time, candidate registration times, as well as the paperwork you should bring for identification purposes.

If you cannot attend your citizenship ceremony, contact the Department Home Affairs directly by following the instructions in your invitation letter. You do not need to contact Council in this instance.

How frequently are the Ceremonies held at Knox City Council?

Ceremonies are held approximately every 8 weeks at the Knox Civic Centre, 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South.

What time do the Ceremonies start and how long do they last for?

Evening Ceremonies commence at 6:30pm and conclude at approximately 7:30pm. It is suggested that candidates and their guests are seated by approximately 6:15pm.

Can I bring family or friends to watch?

Yes, you are welcome to bring family and friends along for support. Due to limited seating space, we do suggest that a limit of up to three people per family attend. This will ensure everyone will be able to have a seat to watch the Ceremony. Guests are not required to provide identification, only candidates obtaining citizenship.

Parking at the Civic Centre?

Yes, there is unrestricted parking around the Civic Centre Precinct.

Dress Code

The Knox City Council Australian Citizenship Dress Code is designed to reflect the significance of becoming an Australian Citizen.

The Dress Code is a requirement of the Australian Government’s Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code.

The attire of attendees at Knox Council Citizenship Ceremonies should reflect the significance of the occasion both to the attendee themselves, and to other patrons attending the ceremony.

Council strongly encourages Citizenship Ceremony attendees to wear smart casual attire, or national / traditional / cultural dress.

The following are strongly discouraged:
• Beach wear (i.e bathers)
• Bare feet
• Clothes with slogans or images that may cause offence or distress to other participants.

Should an attendee at a Citizenship Ceremony, in the opinion of the Chief Executive Officer (or their representative at the Ceremony), be dressed in a manner which poses a risk to the attendee’s health and safety they may be refused entry to the Citizenship Ceremony.

If an attendee at a Citizenship Ceremony, in the opinion of the Chief Executive Officer (or their representative at the Ceremony) and the Mayor, is dressed in a manner which poses an unreasonable risk of causing significant offence and/or distress to other attendees, they may be asked to modify their dress and on refusal of such a request may be refused entry to the Citizenship Ceremony.

Enquiries regarding the Knox City Council Australia Citizenship Ceremony Dress Code should be directed to Mr Phil McQue, Manager- Governance on 9298 8000.

What happens at the end of the Ceremony? Do I have to stay until the very end?

New citizens and guests are welcome to stay for complimentary refreshments at the conclusion of the Ceremony, however you are not obliged to stay to the very end of the Ceremony once you have received your Certificate from the Presiding Officer.

Officers from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will also be in attendance. New citizens are encouraged to complete their electoral form after the ceremony and return to AEC officers.

Can I bring my own Holy Book?

If you want to make the Australian citizenship pledge on a holy book, you are welcome to bring a book with you to the ceremony. Council does not provide holy books.