The Australian Citizenship Test will be updated for the first time in more than a decade to include a section focusing on Australian values, starting from 15 November 2020.
This was announced by Australia’s Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge on Thursday (17 September) in conjunction with Australian Citizenship Day.
In the updated citizenship test, there will be 20 multiple-choice questions, including five questions on Australian values.
Meanwhile the applicant will be required to correctly answer all five of the questions on Australian values, with a mark of at least 75 per cent overall, to pass the test.
It also said that there will be no changes to the English language or residency requirements for citizenship.
Addressing the update of citizenship test, Mr 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.”
He also explained that there will be new and more meaningful questions on the updated citizenship test which “require potential citizens to understand and commit to our values” such as 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,” he noted.
Here is a list of example questions that focus on Australian values in the updated citizenship test, as reported by SBS news.
- Why is it important that all Australian citizens vote to elect the state and federal parliament?
- Should people in Australia make an effort to learn English?
- In Australia, can you encourage violence against a person or group of people if you have been insulted?
- Should people tolerate one another where they find that they disagree?
- In Australia, are people free to choose who they marry or not marry?
- In Australia, is it acceptable for a husband to be violent towards his wife if she has disobeyed or disrespected him?
- Do you agree that men and women should be provided equality of opportunity when pursuing their goals and interests?
- Should people’s freedom of speech and freedom of expression be respected in Australia?
To assist people to prepare for the test, an updated version of the Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond resource, which includes information on the new Australian values component and an updated practice test will also be made available online for download.
On top of this, most applicants for new visa and citizenship will be required to affirm the updated Australian Values Statement (AVS) from 30 October 2020.
“The updated AVS will better reflect the shared values of Australian society, including the rule of law, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of association and equality of opportunity for all people in Australia,” it said in the statement.
During the Australian Citizenship Day on Thursday, according to Mr Tudge, more than 2,500 people will receive Australian citizenship at more than 100 ceremonies across the country.
He also revealed that since 31 March, more than 85,000 people from every state and territory have become Australian citizens in online ceremonies despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s restriction.
