Changes to Australia Citizenship Act
31 May 2015 by News Desk
The Government of Australia is considering changes to residency requirements for citizenship. Currently, a person must be lawfully in Australia for four years, including minimum periods of permanent residence, before applying for citizenship.
The Australian Citizenship Act 2007 requires applicants in certain circumstances to successfully complete a citizenship test to be eligible for citizenship. The test is used to assess English language knowledge; understanding of the application process; and knowledge of Australia, its core values, and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. All people 16 years or over acquiring Australian citizenship by conferral must also make the Pledge of Commitment.
The Government is considering developing a stronger framework for the citizenship test and the Pledge of Commitment to strengthen the integrity of the citizenship programme. Possible areas for strengthening the citizenship framework include:
New questions about allegiance and more questions about the rule of law, values and democratic rights and responsibilities in the citizenship test.
Limiting the number of times a person can sit the citizenship test before their application may be refused.
Standardising English language requirements to ensure new citizens have adequate language ability, taking into account particular circumstances such as age.
Appropriate penalties for cheating on the citizenship test.
Requiring more individuals to make the Pledge at a ceremony by reducing exemptions and applying it to those who gain citizenship by descent, adoption and resumption.
Strengthening the Pledge and Preamble to the Citizenship Act to include words about allegiance to Australia and an undertaking not to act contrary to that allegiance.
Clarifying that Australian-born citizens, and those who have citizenship by descent, are bound by the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship as set out in the Preamble.
Requiring a signed undertaking to abide by the Pledge if approved for citizenship.
