Australian citizenship test: New section to test values

The Australian citizenship test will be updated for the first time in more than a decade to include a section on Australian values.

In the new test, would-be Aussies will be asked things like: “Should people in Australia make an effort to learn English?” and “In Australia, do religious laws override Australian law?”

The questions also include more confronting questions such as whether it is acceptable for a husband to be violent towards his wife if she has disobeyed or disrespected him.

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said he wanted would-be citizens to have a better understanding of the nation’s values before they were declared Australian.

“The updated citizenship test will have new and more meaningful questions that require potential citizens to understand and commit to our values like freedom of speech, mutual respect, equality of opportunity, the importance of democracy and the rule of law,” he said.

“We are asking those who apply for citizenship to understand our values more deeply before they make the ultimate commitment to our nation.”

The updated citizenship test will have 20 multiple-choice questions, including five questions on Australian values.

Applicants 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.

There will be no changes to the English language or residency requirements for citizenship.

QUESTIONS FROM THE UPDATED CITIZENSHIP TEST

• 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?

• In Australia, do religious laws override Australian law?

• 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?

The change to the citizenship test is being announced on Thursday to coincide with Australian Citizenship Day, when more than 2500 people will become citizens at more than 100 ceremonies across the country.

Since March 31, despite the restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic, more than 85,000 people have become Australian citizens in online ceremonies, and testing has now resumed in all states and territories across Australia except Victoria.

While changes to the citizenship test won’t come into effect until November 15, new visa and citizenship applicants will be required to affirm the new Australian Values Statement from October 30.

The statement has been amended to better reflect the rule of law, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of association and equality of opportunity for everyone in Australia.

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