Australian citizenship tests taken from 15 November 2020 will be that little bit harder by placing further emphasis on Australian values as five questions on this topic will be added. Applicants must score 100 per cent on all five questions as well as score at least 75 per cent overall to pass the citizenship test. Just as important is confirmation there will be no changes to the English language or residency requirements.

It has been common knowledge that Australia’s citizenship test has a fairly high pass rate. Recent statistics show around 86 per cent of citizenship tests were above the required 75 per cent pass mark over the last two years.

Late last week, the Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs announced that the citizenship test will be strengthened by adding five mandatory questions which all must be answered correctly as well as meeting the previous hurdle of  an overall score of at least 75 per cent.

The five questions are on one particular topic: Australian values. These include aspects on:

• freedom of speech,

• mutual respect,

• equality of opportunity,

• the importance of democracy, and

• the rule of law.

The test material, Our Common Bond, has already been updated.

This change is perhaps a timely reminder from the government that there is a standard of social cohesion and acceptance required in a successful multicultural country.

While not a test, visa applications from 30 October 2020 will have an updated Australian visas statement that applicants must affirm.

What is no less important in the media release is that the government has no intention of amending the residency requirements or English language requirements. The government has previously proposed amending these.

The English language requirement is considered to be met when the citizenship test is passed as it is only in English. The citizenship test is one aspect in the application process at citizenship interviews along with verifying the applicant’s identity.

Citizenship interviews have resumed in all offices in Australia except Victoria due to their lockdown. Given this, citizenship applicants in Victoria will want to be reviewing the new testing material as the chances of taking the easier test shrinks every day its lockdown is in force. It may be that all applicants in Victoria yet to have their citizenship interview will be required to sit the new test.