Sibele Lima, originally from Curitiba city in the southern Brazilian state of Parana, was one of 270 residents from 40 different nations that pledged her allegiance to Australia during City of Newcastle's citizenship ceremony at Civic Theatre on January 26 - Australia Day.

A further 87 residents hailing from 27 countries took the pledge at Lake Macquarie City Council's administration building in Speers Point.

Ms Lima was bitten by the travel bug on a road trip to Brazil's north with her family aged 11, but could easily have been making a different oath in colder climes.

"My first plan was Canada because I went on an exchange there when I was 18 and it's on the same time zone as Brazil and closer to home," recalled the 33 year old Computer Science graduate, who moved to Australia on a skilled migration visa five years ago.

"I was learning French and filled out pages and pages of hard copy documents to get a Canadian visa but I got no reply.

"I had friends in Australia who said it was just beautiful and that the process was very straightforward because it was all online. I applied for a skilled visa and got permanent residency, all in eight months.

"Officially becoming a citizen is... special because I feel very welcome here and I thank Australia for providing a way for immigrants like me to work."

Ms Lima moved to Newcastle in 2018. She said while Brazil was spoiled with natural wonders, it did not have the same sense of security and order as Australia.

"In Curitiba you are walking around with your purse held tightly and always looking over your shoulder, but here you can relax outside and leave your purse on the table when outside enjoying a coffee with friends, she said.

"The news here is always about a shark story or a kangaroo, but in Brazil it's people died, armed robbery and politics coverage is just corruption - I tell my mum not to watch it when I go back there.

"I hear people complaining in Australia about the train or bus being late and I laugh, because I'm just so pleased to have a map timetable. In Brazil the bus just comes when it does."

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said welcoming people from diverse backgrounds to Australia was among her job's greatest honours.

Lake Macquarie City Mayor Kay Fraser echoed Cr Nelmes feelings about presiding over citizenship ceremonies.

"It is a privilege for me to share their special day," she said.