To become an Australian Citizen you must first apply for Australian Citizenship through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Application forms for Australian Citizenship can be obtained from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Once your application has been processed, and you have attended an interview, the Department will notify you in writing whether or not your application has been approved. Around 90 per cent of applications are decided within 90 days of lodgement.

A few months later, the Department will send you a letter of invitation to attend a Citizenship Ceremony at Strathfield Council. Council usually hosts citizenship ceremonies in each quarter of the year, with a special ceremony on Australia Day each year.

Council will hold Citizenship Ceremonies on the following dates in 2009

• Thursday 30th April
• Thursday 2nd July
• Thursday 27th August
• Thursday 5th November

To find out the date of your citizenship ceremony please call the Citizenship Information Line on 131 880.

Council has no role however in the processing or determination of citizenship applications or holding of citizenship tests. For enquiries, information on the status of your application, allocation to ceremony dates, the need for urgent citizenship ceremonies, or to download an application kit contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship by telephoning the Citizenship Information Line on 131 880 or visit the Australian Citizenship website.

For further information please contact Council’s Community Liaison Officer on 9748 9978.