Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code

Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code
Appendix 1
Glossary of terms
• Presiding officer: A person who has been authorised in writing by the
Australian Government minister responsible for citizenship matters to confer
Australian citizenship. In the case of local government councils, this is usually
the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer.
• Administrative officer: A local government official or other person who assists
the presiding officer in arranging and conducting the ceremony.
• Community organisation: An organisation that is not-for-profit, whose
activities are intended to benefit its members and the wider Australian
community. Examples include Apex, Lions, and Rotary Clubs, Scouts and
Guides Associations and Surf Life Saving Associations.
• The department: Australian Government department responsible for
citizenship matters.
• Minister: Australian Government minister responsible for citizenship matters.
• Pledge: The pledge of commitment as a citizen of the Commonwealth of
Australia made by candidates under section 26 of the Australian Citizenship Act
2007 as the last step in becoming Australian citizens. There are two forms of
the pledge:
• Pledge 1 using the words ‘under God’
• Pledge 2 without reference to God.
The words are contained on Australian Citizenship Pledge cards available from
the department. Both pledges are reproduced in Appendix 3.
• Australian citizenship certificate: Evidentiary notice given to a person stating
that the person is an Australian citizen at a particular time.
Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code 45