More than 14 000 people from 114 countries became Australian citizens at 321 Australia Day events around the nation this year.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the new citizens would join more than four million others who had become Australian citizens when Australian Citizenship was introduced in 1949.

Last Australia Day, 12 500 people from 111 countries became Australian citizens with a record 169 123 people taking the pledge during the 2006-07 financial year.

Senator Evans said that making the citizenship pledge was an important step in marking the beginning of life as an Australian citizen.

'Becoming an Australian citizen shows commitment and loyalty to this country and a desire to share in our common future,' Senator Evans said.

'This year’s Australia Day citizenship ceremonies range from small events in remote areas for single conferees to one of the nation’s largest ever citizenship ceremonies to be held in my home state of Western Australia.

'I look forward to welcoming more than 1300 new Australian citizens at this ceremony in the northern suburbs of Perth.'

Senator Evans said Australia had been enriched by the cultures and traditions of the people from more than 200 countries who had come to Australia.

'The common bond that unites us all is citizenship,' Senator Evans added.

The first citizenship ceremony took place in February 1949 at Albert Hall in Canberra, where seven conferees represented the six states and the Australian Capital Territory.