Today, in celebration of Australian Citizenship Day, we expect to welcome over 7,000 new citizens at citizenship ceremonies across the nation.

Australian Citizenship Day is an opportunity for all Australians to recognise and reflect on the meaning of Australian citizenship and celebrate it.

"Choosing to become an Australian citizen means choosing to become a full member of Australian society. When people become citizens, they embrace the privileges, rights, and responsibilities that come with Australian citizenship, and commit to our nation’s shared values of respect, freedom, democracy and equality,” Minister Hawke said.

This year is the 20th anniversary of Australian Citizenship Day, which was first introduced to increase community awareness of Australian citizenship.

To mark the occasion, Minister Hawke will preside over a special online citizenship ceremony, with conferees from each state and territory, including people currently residing in areas under lockdown.

“While it’s not ideal, online ceremonies are a COVID safe option for hosting citizenship ceremonies in areas faced with COVID-19 restrictions,” Minister Hawke said.

“In many instances, where planned in-person ceremonies have been cancelled due to COVID-19, my Department has supported local government councils to reschedule the ceremony for another date, or worked with councils to offer online ceremonies as an alternative,” he said.

“And it’s great to see, in the context of continuing COVID-19 restrictions in many locations, that an increasing number of councils are taking up the option of offering online ceremonies for approved applicants who are waiting to attend a ceremony”.

“This Australian Citizenship Day, whether in-person or online, I encourage all Australians to welcome Australia’s new citizens and reflect on what your citizenship means to you.”

For more information visit www.citizenship.gov.au