Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code

Other Australian flags
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags may be displayed at citizenship
ceremonies.
Australian National Anthem
The Australian National Anthem (Advance Australia Fair) must be played at the
end of the ceremony. This may be played as a live performance or a recording.
All attendees at the ceremony should be invited to join in singing the National
Anthem. The words of the National Anthem should be provided.
Speeches
Minister’s speech or message
When the minister attends a ceremony, he/she must be invited to speak
immediately after the opening address, before any other official speeches.
When the minister’s representative attends a ceremony, he/she must read the
minister’s message. Organisers will be advised by the minister’s office of the identity
of the minister’s representative before the ceremony. The presiding officer can then
incorporate reference to the minister’s representative in the opening address.
When neither the minister nor his/her representative attend a ceremony, the
minister’s message provided by the department must be read by the presiding
officer. It must be read in its entirety and without amendment immediately after the
opening address, before any other official speeches.
Please ensure you have the latest message from the minister. It can be downloaded
from the citizenship website at www.citizenship.gov.au
Speeches by official guests
Speeches by other official guests must immediately follow the minister’s speech
or the minister’s message (if the minister is not in attendance). All elected local
representatives at the federal, state or territory, and local government level, should
over time have an opportunity to provide a welcoming speech to citizenship
candidates. Not all elected representatives should speak at every ceremony.
This will ensure that the number of speeches is manageable, particularly where
local areas cross a number of electorates.
Other official guests do not have to be invited to speak. However subject to the
number of speeches by elected representatives, a few brief messages of welcome
from local organisations and/or local celebrities will contribute to a feeling of
welcome and fellowship.
26 Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code