Migrants could face conversational English test under new plans

Citizenship minister Alan Tudge says the government may design a ‘custom’ test focused on spoken English

Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge is expected to reveal conversational English tests for new citizens. (AAP) Source: AAP

By James Elton-Pym

The Turnbull government is considering a new English test for all migrants seeking a permanent life in Australia.

While migrants already conduct a knowledge test in English when applying for Australian citizenship, there has never been a universal language test for everyone seeking permanent residency.

“What we are concerned about is that we have close to 1 million people now who don't speak the English language in Australia,” multiculturalism and citizenship minister Alan Tudge told SBS News on Thursday.

Read the full article in English here.