Highlights
- Changes in the citizenship test come into effect on 15 November 2020
- Five new questions focusing on the Australian values will be added, in a total of 20 questions
- Each of the five questions needs to be answered correctly to pass
- The recommencement of citizenship tests in Victoria is based on Victoria’s road map to the COVID-19 situation.
Announcing the first major restructuring of the citizenship test in more than a decade, Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge has foreshadowed changes on September 17, which coincides with Australian Citizenship Day.
The citizenship test has been restructured for potential citizens to understand and commit to shared values for better social cohesion among Australian residents.
Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services, and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said “Our Australian values are important. They have helped shape our country and they are the reason why so many people want to become Australian citizens.”
The Australian citizenship test will comprise 20 multiple choice questions and an overall mark of at least 75 per cent will be necessary to pass successfully.
According to the new changes announced today, five of these 20 questions will strongly focus on Australian values, and each of these five questions will need to be answered correctly in order to pass.
The changes will come into effect on 15 November 2020.
In response to a query from SBS Punjabi, the Department of Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services, and Multicultural Affairs has confirmed that anyone who takes the test on November 15 and thereafter, will take the new test.
The spokesperson added, "Anyone who sits the test on 15 November onwards will sit the new test. The Common Bond booklet is online which means people have time to read it and study it before they sit the test."
Sample questions based on Australian values
As per the changes announced today, the new citizenship test could include questions about laws on racial abuse, freedom of speech and expression, equality, and mateship.
If the applicant answers even one of these questions incorrectly, they will automatically fail the citizenship test.
Here are some examples of what these questions based on Australian values could be:
- Can you encourage violence against a person or group of people if you have been insulted?
- Should people in Australia make an effort to learn English?
- What best demonstrates Australian values about freedom of expression?
- Should freedom of speech and expression be respected in Australia?
- Are people free to choose who they marry or not marry?
Australian Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge speaks to the media during a press conference Source: AAP Image/Lukas Coch
Announcing the changes today he said, “The updated Citizenship Test will have new and more meaningful questions that require potential citizens to understand and commit to our values like freedom of speech, mutual respect, equality of opportunity, the importance of democracy, and the rule of law.
“We are asking those who apply for citizenship to understand our values more deeply before they make the ultimate commitment to our nation,” said Mr. Tudge.
When will the citizenship tests resume in Victoria?
Citizenship tests have been temporarily suspended in the state of Victorian due to Stage 4 restrictions being enforced to limit community transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to a question about when citizenship tests will resume in Victoria, a spokesperson from the Department of Home Affairs told SBS Punjabi, "this will be entirely based on Victoria’s road map out of the current COVID situation. Once restrictions ease, testing will recommence in a COVID safe way. Testing (for citizenship) in all other states and areas has already recommenced."
Manjot Thind, a Perth-based permanent resident who recently applied for Australian citizenship and is yet to appear for the test told SBS Punjabi, “It’s a great move and we should welcome and respect this decision as it was much needed for people to better understand the Australian culture, ethics, and history,”
Manjot Thind Source: Supplied
“Australian citizenship comes with a huge responsibility and every resident should be aware of these values to better integrate into the Australian society and to make a valuable contribution as a proud Australian,” he added.
Australian Passport Source: Getty Images
How to prepare for the new citizenship test?
Anyone applying for the citizenship test can access the updated version of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond booklet. This booklet has been updated with all the recently announced changes and includes information on the new Australian values component with updated practice test papers as per the new structure.
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Anyone who sits the test on 15 Nov onwards will sit the new test. The Common Bond booklet is online which means people have time to read it and study it before they sit the test
