Big changes to Australia’s citizenship test were announced by Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge yesterday, with the new test set to focus more on ‘Australian values’ rather than history and democracy.
The 20-question multiple choice test, which requires a 75 per cent overall mark to pass, will from November include five questions about Australian values – all of which must be answered correctly.
The Acting Immigration Minister introduced the changes on Thursday to coincide with Australian Citizenship Day, when more than 100 citizenship ceremonies took place across the country.
READ MORE: George Gounaris’ journey of becoming an Australian citizen ends with online ceremony
READ MORE: Want Greek citizenship? You’ll now have to pass a written exam first
“Our Australian values are important. They have helped shape our country and they are the reason why so many people want to become Australian citizens,” Mr Tudge told News Corp newspapers.
“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.”
7 News reports that the values-based questions will revolve around learning English, freedom of choice around marriage, religious views and family violence.
Examples of possible questions include:
- Which of these is an example of freedom of speech?
- Which of these is an example of equality in Australia?
- Can you encourage violence…if you have been insulted?
“Rather than questions on Don Bradman or Phar Lap as such,” Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge said to 7 News.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the citizenship test would also place a greater emphasis on the English language.
“That is such an important skill that migrants who come to Australia need to have the best possible life in Australia,” he said.
