Being an Australian citizen is a privilege not a right. While you are granted entitlements as a citizen of Australia there are important responsibilities you must accept too.

Responsibilities and privileges
As an Australian citizen, you have new responsibilities to:

• Behave in accordance with Australia's democratic beliefs
• Respects the rights and liberties of Australia
• Follow and obey the law
• Vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in referenda
• Defend Australia if necessary
• Serve on jury duty if summoned

Citizenship entitlements
As an Australian citizen, you are eligible for certain entitlements too.
You can:

• Apply for an Australian passport
• Leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want
• Ask for help from an Australian consulate if in trouble overseas
• Vote in federal, state or territory elections
• Vote in a Constitutional referendum or plebiscite
• Seek election to parliament, if you are aged 18 years or over and are not dual citizen
• Register the birth of your children in another country as an Australian citizen

Making a promise
At your citizenship ceremony, you will make the Australian citizenship pledge. You promise to remain loyal to Australia and its people and to share and uphold Australia's:

• Democratic beliefs
• Rights
• Liberties
• Laws

Australia is a democracy. You can freely elect representatives to run the country and make laws on your behalf.

Our democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

• Parliamentary democracy: The people you elect as representatives are answerable to the public for their decisions.
• Rule of law: All Australians are equal in the eyes of the law. No person or group gets preferential treatment.
• Living peacefully: We prefer discussion, peaceful persuasion and democracy. We do not use violence to bring about change.
• Respect for all individuals: We treat all Australians with dignity and respect. No matter their beliefs, traditions and background.
• Compassion: We always show a spirit of 'mate ship'. We come together to help and support each other during times of need.
• Freedoms for citizens

Freedom of speech and freedom of expression
You are free to say what you want on any subject, without harming others. You must also respect how other Australians think or express themselves.

Freedom of association
You are free to join any:

• Political party
• Trade union
• Religious group
• Cultural group, or
• Social group
• You can refuse to join a group if you do not want to join a group.

Freedom of religion and secular government

• You are free to follow any religion or not, as long as you do not break any laws.

Equality in Australia
Our laws make sure no one is treated differently because of race, gender, disability or age.
Equality of men and women
Men and women are treated equally in Australia. You are free to make your own choices on personal matters.
The laws protect both men and women from intimidation and violence.

Both Men and Women

• Can work and go to school
• Can become politicians
• Can join the defence and police forces
• Are treated fairly and equally in court
• Enrol to vote
• Enrolment is compulsory for all eligible Australian citizens. For more information, see Australian Electoral Commission

Dual citizens or nationals
Many Australians are citizens of 2 or more countries. This means a person may be a citizen of Australia and of another country at the same time. They can hold:

• A foreign passport
• An Australian passport
  • Not all countries allow dual citizenship. If you think you might be a dual citizen, check with the other country's embassy or consulate.

Australian citizens may become a dual national:

• If a parent is a citizen of another country
• Through marriage to a citizen of another country
• If a permanent resident becomes an Australian citizen and keeps their previous citizenship
• If an Australian citizen becomes a citizen of another country and keeps their Australian citizenship
• If a child is born overseas and a parent is an Australian citizen (the child may become a citizen of that country by birth)
• You may not receive the full Australian consular service as a dual citizen in another country if you do not enter that country on your Australian passport.

As an Australian citizen, you must use your Australian passport to:

• Leave Australia
• Re-enter Australia
• An Australian passport is proof of your Australian citizenship when travelling. If you try to enter Australia without an Australian passport, you may experience difficulties at the border.

For more information, please click here.