One of Australia's newest citizens, Mr Andersen was sworn in on Australia Day, surrounded by his family and friends as they took the citizenship pledge.

A refrigeration and airconditioning technician, Mr Andersen, from Boat Harbour, said he sought the Australian lifestyle, its improved financial opportunities for skilled workers and the 'mystery' of living in another country, he said, Europeans hardly hear of.

"It [Australia] is a bit of a mystery in Europe," he said.

"You don't hear much, and you don't hear much of Europe here."

Mr Andersen moved to Boat Harbour five months, and said the reason he took so long to become a citizen because it was 'easy to travel on a Danish passport.'

Mr Andersen was critical of the Danish taxation system which he said drove him to seek better financial opportunities in Australia.

"It is a waste of time [working] when you are getting taxed so highly."

He said Port Stephens' weather, beaches and lifestyle was much improved from when he lived in Denmark.