Citizenship changes

Strengthening the Test for Australian citizenship

The Australian Government intends to strengthen the requirements to become an Australian citizen. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection have released a discussion paper and invitation to provide input to these changes.

We would be grateful for the input of MIA Members for the MIA’s submission to the Federal Government on its proposed changes to the Test for Australian Citizenship. These can be found in the DIBP Paper Strengthening the Test for Australian Citizenship

In particular, we would like to know how these changes may affect any of your clients.

Please complete this survey by close of business Wednesday 24 May 2017.

Question Title

* 1. Proposed change: Four years permanent residence requirement [Discussion Paper page 9]

'Increasing the general residence requirement, which means an applicant for Australian citizenship will need to demonstrate a minimum of four years permanent residence immediately prior to their application for citizenship'.

Please provide details and examples of how this may affect your clients

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* 2. Do you believe that the new residence requirement will enable greater examination of an aspiring citizens’ integration with Australia?

Yes

Please provide reasons

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* 3. Proposed change: English test requirement [Discussion Paper page 9]

'Introducing an English language test, which means applicants will need to demonstrate competent English language listening, speaking, reading and writing skills before being able to sit the citizenship test'.

Please provide details and examples of how this may affect your clients

Question Title

* 4. Do you agree that English language is essential for economic participation and social cohesion?

Yes

Please provide reasons

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* 5. Do you agree that there is strong public support to ensure aspiring citizens are fully able to participate in Australian life, by speaking English, our national language?

Yes

Please provide reasons

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* 6. Proposed change: undertaking to integrate into and contribute to Australian community requirement [Discussion Paper pages 10 to 15]

'Strengthening the Australian Values Statement in application forms for visas and citizenship to include reference to allegiance to Australia and require applicants to make an undertaking to integrate into and contribute to the Australian community'.

Please provide details and examples of how this may affect your clients

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* 7. Proposed change: new test questions about Australian values and privileges and responsibilities of Australian citizenship [Discussion Paper pages 16 and 17]

'Strengthening the test for Australian citizenship through the addition of new test questions about Australian values, and the privileges and responsibilities of Australian citizenship'.

Please provide details and examples of how this may affect your clients

Question Title

* 8. Do you agree that questions will enable an assessment of an applicant’s values and integration into the Australian community?

Yes

Please provide reasons

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* 9. The Australian Government has decided to strengthen the Australian Values Statement by adding a reference to the fundamental requirement of allegiance to Australia and by requiring applicants to make an undertaking to integrate into and contribute to the Australian community.

Do you believe that this will be effective?

Yes

Please provide reasons

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* 10. Proposed change: requirement to demonstrate integration in the Australian community [Discussion Paper page 15]

'Introducing a requirement for applicants to demonstrate their integration into the Australian community. Applicants will need to demonstrate their integration into the Australian community by providing, for example, documentation to the effect that people who can work are working, or are actively looking for work or seeking to educate themselves; that people are contributing to the community by being actively involved in community or voluntary organisations; that people are properly paying their taxes and ensuring their children are being educated. Applicants’ criminal records and adherence to social security laws are also relevant'.

Please provide details and examples of how this may affect your clients

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* 11. Proposed change: requirement to pledge commitment to allegiance to Australia for all streams of citizenship [Discussion Paper page 18]

'Strengthening the Pledge of commitment in the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 to refer to allegiance to Australia; and extending the requirement for individuals aged 16 years and over to make the Pledge of commitment to all streams of citizenship by application, including citizenship by descent, adoption and resumption'.

Please provide details and examples of how this may affect your clients

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* 12. Do you believe that these changes will increase the safety and security of all Australians and helps to ensure that Australia remains an open, inclusive, free and safe society?

Yes

Please provide reasons

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* 13. Do you agree that the number of times an applicant can fail the citizenship test should be limited to three (at present there is no limit to the number of times an applicant can fail the test)?

Yes

Please provide reasons