Australia's Department of Home Affairs has specified the exact structure of its citizenship test, including the number of questions, time limit, and pass mark. The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions that applicants must complete within 45 minutes. To pass, candidates need to score at least 15 out of 20, representing a 75% overall mark.
Stricter Requirement for Australian Values Section
One portion of the test carries a stricter requirement: all five questions relating to Australian values must be answered correctly, meaning a perfect score of 5 out of 5 in that section is compulsory regardless of performance elsewhere.
The test also covers English language basics, Australian values, and knowledge of the country's responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. It is designed to confirm that an applicant has a basic command of English, a working understanding of what Australian citizenship involves, and a genuine commitment to the values of freedom, respect and equality that underpin Australian society.
Who Must Sit the Test and What It Costs
The requirement to sit the test applies to applicants who are aged between 18 and 59 years on the date the Department of Home Affairs receives their application for citizenship by conferral. Those outside that age range are generally exempt. For those within the eligible age bracket, the department sends out a letter confirming the test appointment after the applicant's identity has been verified.
No additional payment is required to sit the test. The cost is covered by the citizenship application fee that candidates would have already paid when lodging their application.
Part of the Broader Conferral Process
The test itself forms part of a broader conferral process, which is the pathway through which most people who were not born Australian citizens obtain nationality. The test assesses whether candidates have adequate knowledge of the country itself, including the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship.
In related news, Legit.ng previously reported that Australia's Department of Home Affairs has outlined the residence requirement foreigners must meet before applying for citizenship. Applicants must have lived in Australia on a valid visa for a number of years before the date they apply for citizenship. The rules also specify how much time applicants are allowed to have spent outside Australia during that period.
