Becoming an Australian citizen is about joining a distinct national community. With that comes responsibilities and privileges and the opportunity to participate fully in Australian life.

Australia has welcomed settlers and new citizens from more than 200 countries. Few countries have managed to combine ethnic and cultural  diversity with national unity as successfully as Australia. When citizenship is conferred, new citizens are asked to pledge loyalty to Australia and its people, to share their democratic beliefs, to respect their rights and liberties and to uphold and obey Australia’s laws.

Australia is a liberal democracy in the Western political tradition. The civic values of Australia include:

• respect for the equal worth, dignity and freedom of the individual;
• freedom of speech;
• freedom of religion and secular government;
• freedom of association;
• support for parliamentary democracy and the rule of law;
• equality under the law;
• equality of men and women;
• equality of opportunity;
• peacefulness;
• tolerance, mutual respect and compassion for those in need.

Australian citizenship is about living out these values in everyday life and in local communities. Modern citizenship also rests on sentiments of nationhood and enduring attachment to what Australians hold in common.

• the right to vote;
• freedom to seek election to parliament;
• right to apply for an Australian passport and to enter Australia freely;
• right to register children born overseas as Australian citizens by descent;
• to seek full consular assistance from Australian diplomatic representatives while overseas;
• to seek the full range of employment opportunities in the Australian Defence Force and the Australian Public Service.

Australian citizens also have the following responsibilities:

• to vote in Federal, State and Territory elections and at a referendum;
• to serve on a jury if called on to do so;
• to defend Australia should the need arise.