Our friendly staff look forward to assisting with your enquiry.
The first step in becoming an Australian citizen is to apply through the Department of Home Affairs.
We conduct citizenship ceremonies on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs.
We do not handle the application process of becoming an Australian citizen.
The Department handles all aspects of applying to become a citizen and inviting applicants to attend a ceremony where they will make their Australian Citizenship Pledge.
Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website or contact them on 131 880 for information about becoming an Australian Citizen.
Upcoming citizenship ceremonies
The next citizenship ceremony will be held on Thursday 12 June 2025
Citizenship ceremonies are livestreamed and can be viewed on Council’s YouTube channel ‘EastGippyTV’.
This year, we are holding four citizenship ceremonies - 23 January, 24 April, 12 June and a ceremony on Australian Citizenship Day on 17 September.
For more details on Citizenship Ceremonies, please contact civicevents@egipps.vic.gov.au or phone 5153 9500.
When can I take part in a citizenship ceremony
We are notified when candidates are approved for this step by the Department of Home Affairs.
We will then invite the candidate to participate in the next ceremony.
We know it is an important decision to become an Australian citizen and we aim to make each ceremony memorable and personal. We send each candidate a personalised photograph to remember the day.
For further information on citizenship ceremonies contact the Civic Events Officer on 5153 9500 or feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
A citizenship ceremony is the final step towards becoming an Australian citizen; it is where candidates publicly make the Pledge of Commitment as citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia.
There are currently no plans to display.
Please check back soon.
24 April 2025
On sunny Thursday morning we welcomed 26 incredible individuals who proudly took the pledge to become Australian citizens this morning at a Citizenship Ceremony held in Bairnsdale.
Representing countries as diverse as New Zealand, Philippines, Sweden, Egypt, Chile, Vietnam, Nepal, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Italy, Switzerland and Germany — each of you brings something special to our shared story.
Surrounded by friends and family, it was a joy to witness such a meaningful occasion — made even more special by the honour of having Kaylene Williamson deliver a moving Welcome to Country.
We’re so proud to welcome you to our East Gippsland community and hope you enjoy calling it home as much as we all do.
The ceremony was live-streamed and is available to watch on our YouTube channel.
View our last ceremony in the gallery below
23 January 2025
East Gippsland welcomed 15 new citizens today at a ceremony in Bairnsdale, where individuals from countries including the Philippines, New Zealand, England, Taiwan, Vietnam, Germany, Malaysia, Russia, the USA, Thailand and Uganda pledged their commitment to Australia.
The ceremony, held at St Mary’s Parish Centre, was presided over by Mayor Cr John White, with a Welcome to Country by Kaylene Williamson.
Mayor White congratulated the new citizens, celebrating their journey to becoming part of the Australian community and reflecting on the 76th anniversary of Australian citizenship. Each new citizen received a certificate, commemorative coin, and native plant.
The ceremony was live-streamed and is available to watch on our YouTube channel.
12 June 2024
East Gippsland Shire has 18 new citizens following a citizenship ceremony held Bairnsdale on Wednesday, June 12.
The new citizens hailed from the Philippines, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Japan, Colombia, Vietnam, United States, and India formally pledged their commitment to Australia in front of a large gathering of family and friends at St Mary’s Parish Centre.
East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Cr Tom Crook presided over the ceremony and said citizenship ceremonies are special occasions for all involved.
Conferees received a certificate, a commemorative citizenship coin, and a native plant as a gift from Council.
This ceremony signifies the completion of all requirements set by Australian law for citizenship.
The ceremony was live-streamed so family and friends from across the world could watch the special occasion. You can view the ceremony on our YouTube channel, youtube.com/EastGippyTV.
Around 11 per cent of East Gippsland Shire’s population of nearly 50,000 residents were born overseas.
17 September 2024
Congratulations to East Gippsland Shire’s new Australian citizens!
On the morning of Tuesday 17 September, new citizens took part in a citizenship ceremony - the final step in their journey to Australian citizenship.
The ceremony was held on this date to coincide with Australian Citizenship Day. Whether we are citizens through birth or by active choice, Australian Citizenship Day is a chance for all Australians to:
- take pride in our citizenship,
- celebrate our democratic values, and
- think about what unites us as Australians.
The ceremony was held at St Mary's Parish Hall in Bairnsdale and was live streamed on our YouTube channel so family and friends from across the world could watch the special occasion.
You can watch the ceremony on our YouTube channel.