19 October 2009

New Australian Citizenship test commences today

The new Australian Citizenship test, which will assess prospective new citizens on Australian civics and responsiblitilies, commences today.

Previously, the Australian Citizenship test was a general knowledge quiz about Australia but Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the new test is based on the pledge of commitment those who emigrate to Australia make when becoming citizens.

The 20 question multiple-choice test will touch on topics such as Australia's democratic beliefs, laws and government as well as the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.

The test has been written in plain English and will be conducted in English only, and all questions have been drawn from the testable section of the revised citizenship test resource book, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond.

“We want people applying for citizenship to understand the values of Australian society, our democratic beliefs, our rights and our system of law and what it means to be an Australian citizen.

“All prospective citizens should understand those concepts so all of the questions in the new citizenship test focus on the commitments that new citizens make in the pledge,” Senator Evans said.

Those sitting the Australian Citizenship test will need to answer 75 per cent, or 15 of the 20 questions correctly to pass and all questions are given equal importance. 

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 The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with their Australia Visa application and emigrating to Australia.