Australian Citizenship

What is a citizen?
A citizen is a legally recognised person of a nation, who has all the rights,  freedoms and protection offered by the laws of that nation. A citizen is either born in that country or becomes a citizen through a legal process called naturalisation. A citizen of one country may live in another and remain a citizen of their country of origin.

Rights and Responsibilies of Australian citizens
Australian citizens are entitled to hold an Australian passport and can leave the country and return freely. A passport is a legal document recognised by all countries.

Australian citizens can be employed by government, and can stand for election to government and are protected by the laws of the country. 

Australian citizens are expected to obey the laws, to enrol to vote and to vote, to serve on a jury if selected, to defend Australia if needed.

Becoming an Australian citizen
People from many countries have come to live in Australia, and may become Australian citizens and enjoy the benefits and responsibilities that that brings.  By marrying an Australian citizen, a person may automatically become a citizen.  Others apply to the Australian Government to become Australian citizens and must pass a test to assess their knowledge of the language and of Australia. Once approval is given, people attend a Citizenship Ceremony and make a Pledge of Commitment. They are then given a certificate of Citizenship and are welcomed as new Australian citizens .  Some may be allowed to also keep the citizenship of their original country, and this is called dual citizenship. Australia allows dual citizenship, but other countries may not.

The Pledge of Commitment:
There are two forms, one set of words refers to God and the other does not. People choose which form they wish to say. The wording of the Pledge has changed several times over the years, but these forms have been used since 1994.

Form of Pledge No. 1
From this time forward, under God, I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.

Form of Pledge No. 2
From this time forward, I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.

Go here to find out more about the rights and benefits of being an Australian citizen:
http://www.citizenship.gov.au/should_become/

Go here to find out about an Australian Citizenship Ceremony, using the headings on the left: http://www.citizenship.gov.au/ceremonies/

Go here to read about the emblems and symbols of Australia

Go here to find out about government in Australia

If you use any of this information in your own work acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Sydenham, S. & Thomas, R. Australian Citizenship [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2010)

Updated May 2010 ©kidcyber