Changes to Australian Citizenship announced on 20 April 2017
Australian government announced that they were bringing in reforms to strengthen Australian citizenship by putting Australian values at the heart of citizenship processes and requirements.
In a press release, the Minister of Immigration and Border Protection, Peter Dutton said, “Our reforms will ensure applicants are competent in English, have been a permanent resident for at least four years and commit to embracing Australian values.” He stated that membership of the Australian family was a privilege and should be granted to only those who supported the Australian values, respected laws and wanted to work hard by integrating and contributing to an even better Australia. “Citizenship is at the heart of our national identity. It is the foundation of our democracy. We must ensure that our citizenship program is conducted in our national interest,” he said.
Here are the 6 new requirements to acquire Australian citizenship:
- All applicants are required to pass a stand-alone English test, involving reading, writing, listening and speaking;
- Applicants are required to have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least four years (instead of one year at present);
- Citizenship test will be strengthened with new and more meaningful questions that assess an applicant’s understanding of – and commitment to – shared values and responsibilities;
- Applicants will be required to show the steps they have taken to integrate into and contribute to the Australian community. Examples would include evidence of employment, membership of community organisations and school enrolment for all eligible children.
- An applicant can fail the citizenship test only three (at present there is no limit to the number of times an applicant can fail the test);
- An automatic fail for applicants will be introduced who cheat during the citizenship test.
The Government announced that they will introduce new citizenship related legislation into the Parliament by the end of 2017. However, the new requirements will apply to all new applications for Australian citizenship effective 20th April 2017.
The Government released a discussion paper and which can be accessed here and public encouraged to submit their views on this paper by 1 June 2017 to citizenship.submissions@border.gov.au
