FAQs
What changes are being proposed?
The change being proposed is for the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony and Awards (that would normally be held on the Australia Day Public Holiday of 26 January) to another day, within three days after the public holiday.
Is this a proposal to change the date for Australia Day?
No.
The City is only seeking community feedback on the day we undertake the City's Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony and Community Awards.
What changes did the Federal Government offer to Local Governments?
A media release issued by the Australian Government announced an update to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code.
As extracted from the media release: “...The Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code sets out the requirements for conducting citizenship ceremonies in accordance with the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (Cth). Prior to this update, councils were required to hold a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day; they will now be able to hold it on 26 January, or on the three days before and after – for 2023, councils will be allowed to hold Australia Day ceremonies in the period from Monday 23 to Sunday 29 January...”
Will the ceremony still be called the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony if it's not held on Australia Day?
The City has been advised by the Department of Home Affairs that if the council chooses to hold their ceremony during the three days after Australia Day rather than the day, they can still name their ceremony “Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony”. All ceremonies conducted on Australia Day or the three days after will be counted by the Department of Home Affairs as Australia Day ceremonies.