Australia mandates in-person citizenship pledge for applicants

The Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs has established that the citizenship pledge is the last mandatory requirement for foreigners seeking Australian citizenship. This pledge must be made in person during an official citizenship ceremony, which is a government event where eligible applicants publicly affirm their commitment to Australia and its values.

No applicant can be granted citizenship without completing this step, regardless of their progress in the application process. The ceremony is organized by local councils, and applicants are informed of their ceremony date after their application is approved.

Attendance is compulsory, and missing a scheduled ceremony without alternative arrangements can delay citizenship. Prior to the ceremony, applicants must fulfill several conditions, including residency requirements, passing a citizenship test if applicable, and receiving application approval.

The requirement applies to all applicant categories, including those aged 60 and over, with tailored guidance provided for older applicants.