The Department of Home Affairs is the federal government department responsible for processing applications for citizenship. Ipswich City Council organises the citizenship ceremony where you will take the Australian Citizenship Pledge to become an Australian citizen. The Department of Home Affairs provides a list of approved citizenship conferees to council to invite to a future citizenship ceremony.
For more information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website or call 131 881.
How do I apply to become an Australian citizen?
Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for all information regarding applications to become an Australian citizen. If you have a question about applying for Australian citizenship or how your application is progressing please contact the Department of Home Affairs on 13 18 81 (opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 4.30 pm)
Ceremony Wait Times
After approval of Australian citizenship, approved citizenship applicants will be allocated to a ceremony in order of date of approval. Ceremony wait times for Ipswich City Council can be viewed here: Ceremony wait times (homeaffairs.gov.au). The Department of Home Affairs are responsible for ceremony allocations. Please note, if you have requested to be linked to other people for your ceremony, you will not be allocated for a ceremony until the last person in your group has been approved. Having family members linked to your application may also affect your wait time.
When are citizenship ceremonies held in Ipswich?
10 citizenship ceremonies are held every year in Ipswich. The duration of ceremonies is usually one hour, depending on the number of Conferees attending on the day. The Department of Home Affairs will issue a ceremony list of approved citizenship applicants to Ipswich City Council approximately four weeks before the ceremony date. If you have been allocated to a ceremony date, you will receive an email invitation from Ipswich City Council approximately three to four weeks before the ceremony.
I need citizenship urgently- what can I do?
Requests for urgent ceremonies, accompanied by supporting documentary evidence, may be considered in exceptional and very limited circumstances. Requests are assessed on a case by case basis. If there is no evidence provided, your request will not be assessed. All requests must be sent to The Department of Home Affairs via email: ceremony.qld@homeaffairs.gov.au
What happens on the day of the Ceremony?
You should allow at least two hours for a citizenship ceremony. The ceremony itself may take about one hour. Registration will open one hour prior to the ceremony commencing. The ceremony proceedings include:
- A formal introduction
- Speeches, including a welcome message from the Minister
- The pledge of commitment
- Handing out of certificates
- National Anthem
What to bring to the ceremony?
You need to bring one form of photo identification:
- Driver’s licence
- Passport, or
- An official document with a photograph
If you do not have photo identification, then bring at least three documents showing your name, address and signature:
- Bank statements
- Utility bills, or
- Credit card statements
Where do I park?
Up to 3-hours free, undercover car parking is available in the Nicholas Street Precinct Carpark accessible from Bremer Street. Take any carpark lift up to ground floor to Tulmur Place and take a short 5-minute walk up to the Ipswich Civic Centre. Limited street parking is available near the Ipswich Civic Centre where ceremonies are usually held. The majority of parking is metered parking with time restrictions in force until 5.00 pm. For more information about parking in Ipswich please visit Parking webpage.
Australian passport applications
Go to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website for all information regarding applying for an Australian passport.
Australian elections/voting
Go to the Australian Electoral Commission website for all information regarding elections and voting.
For more information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website or call 131 881.