Australia Immigration

Overview

Being an Australian citizen is a privilege not a right. While you are granted entitlements as a citizen of Australia there are important responsibilities you must accept too.

Responsibilities and Privileges

As an Australian citizen, you have new responsibilities to :

behave in accordance with Australia’s democratic beliefs
respects the rights and liberties of Australia
follow and obey the law
vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in referenda
defend Australia if necessary
serve on jury duty if summoned

Citizenship Entitlements

As an Australian citizen, you are eligible for certain entitlements too.

You can:

apply for an Australian passport
leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want
ask for help from an Australian consulate if in trouble overseas
vote in federal, state or territory elections
vote in a Constitutional referendum or plebiscite
seek election to parliament, if you are aged 18 years or over and are not dual citizen
register the birth of your children in another country as an Australian citizen

Making a promise

At your citizenship ceremony, you will make the Australian citizenship pledge.

You promise to remain loyal to Australia and its people and to share and uphold Australia’s:

democratic beliefs
rights
liberties
laws

Australia is a democracy. You can freely elect representatives to run the country and make laws on your behalf.

Our democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

Parliamentary democracy

The people you elect as representatives are answerable to the public for their decisions.

Rule of law

All Australians are equal in the eyes of the law. No person or group gets preferential treatment.

Living peacefully

We prefer discussion, peaceful persuasion and democracy. We do not use violence to bring about change.

Respect for all individuals

We treat all Australians with dignity and respect. No matter their beliefs, traditions and background.

Compassion

We always show a spirit of ‘mateship’. We come together to help and support each other during times of need.

Freedoms for Citizens

Freedom of speech and freedom of expression

You are free to say what you want on any subject, without harming others. You must also respect how other Australians think or express themselves.

Freedom of Association

You are free to join any:

political party
trade union
religious group
cultural group, or
social group

You can refuse to join a group if you do not want to join a group.

Freedom of religion and secular government

You are free to follow any religion or not, as long as you do not break laws.

Equality in Australia

Our laws make sure no one is treated differently because of race, gender, disability or age.

Equality of men and women

Men and women are treated equally in Australia. You are free to make your own choices on personal matters.

The laws protect both men and women from intimidation and violence.

Both men and women:

can work and go to school
can become politicians
can join the defence and police forces
are treated fairly and equally in court

Dual citizens or nationals

Many Australians are citizens of 2 or more countries. This means a person may be a citizen of Australia and of another country at the same time.