Australian Citizenship Test
October 2, 2007
From 1 October 2007 people seeking to become an Australian citizen need to pass a Citizenship test. According to the Department of Immigration a total of 33 people sat the first test at their offices in Queensland and Victoria.
The test is a series of 20 computer-based multiple choice questions sourced from information in the Citizenship Test Resource Book, Becoming an Australian Citizen.
Generally, applicants need to demonstrate:
- at least basic English,
- understand the responsibilities and privileges of being an Australian citizen, and
- a commitment to Australia, its laws, values and community
To pass the Citizenship test an applicant needs to score at least 60%, that includes correct answers to three mandatory questions about the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship.
If an applicant fails the citizenship test he or she is presented with their results so they may prepare and sit again. There is no limit on how many times once can sit the test to successfully pass.
People aged below 18 and over 60 are not required to sit the Citizenship test nor are people who can not understand the nature of their Citizenship application i.e. such as suffering physical incapacity or permanent mental disability.
Citizenship test centers are located in all Australian capital cities and major regional centres, generally at Immigration Department offices. Tests are also planned to be sat at thirty Medicare Australia and four Centrelink offices end of this year.
