Australian Citizenship Day

Australian Citizenship Day is celebrated by all people who were born in Australia or have become citizens as adults. It is observed on September 17 each year.

History

More than 27 million people of various backgrounds live in Australia. This diversity is due in large part to post-World War II immigration, when over seven million newcomers arrived from countries around the world.

Anyone wishing to obtain an Australian passport must participate in an Australian Citizenship Ceremony. State representatives attend these ceremonies to welcome new citizens. In 1999, on the 50th anniversary of the ceremony, a new requirement was introduced: each person must publicly pledge their commitment to Australia.

Australian Citizenship Day was officially established in 2001. The holiday was initiated by citizens to show respect for the country and recognize the importance of obtaining citizenship—an event not to be overlooked.

Interesting Facts

• Over 80% of the population lives in coastal areas less than 100 km from the sea.
• Australia ranks 193rd out of 195 countries for population density, with just 2.8 people per square kilometer.
• About 20% of the world’s slot machines are located in Australia.

How to Take Part

If you have long dreamed of becoming an Australian citizen, this is the perfect time to take the public oath of allegiance. If you are not planning to apply for citizenship, you can celebrate by organizing school events or competitions about Australia. Children will enjoy learning fun facts about the country.

Share a post on social media to tell others about this holiday—maybe someone is interested in learning more about Australian citizenship and the process involved.

Whether you are a new citizen or were born in Australia, this holiday is for everyone to affirm their allegiance and reflect on the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship.

When is Australian Citizenship Day in 2025?

Australian Citizenship Day is observed on September 17 each year.

Observations