More people now have the opportunity to become Australian citizens, with citizenship testing and appointments now available in all states and territories following COVID-19 shutdowns.
In-person citizenship tests and appointments resumed in Melbourne this week, after COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria eased.
While citizenship processing continued during COVID-19, the pandemic has contributed to an increase in the number of people waiting for their citizenship applications to progress. The Government is providing additional resources and is increasing its opening hours at key locations to ensure that as many applications can be finalised as quickly as possible, while still maintaining the integrity of the citizenship program.
Despite the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, since 31 March 2020, more than 90,000 people from every state and territory have become Australian citizens in online ceremonies.
As at 31 October 2020, a further 14,000 people had become citizens through in-person ceremonies since they resumed in June 2020.
In-person ceremonies have resumed in a number of states and territories as restrictions have eased, and local councils are encouraged to resume in-person ceremonies in a COVID-safe manner.
Everyone who sits the citizenship test from now on will sit the updated test, which has a greater focus on Australian values, including the rule of law, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of association and equality of opportunity for all people in Australia.
Acting Immigration Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge told the multicultural press in September that Australian values would be added to the citizenship tests from November onwards, but these were not “to put up hurdles as such, but because we want people to study and to deeply understand what Australia’s system of government is about and what our core values are”.
An updated version of the Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond publication is available online in English and in 40 community languages to help people to prepare for the test.
For more information on citizenship tests and appointments visit immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/test-and-interview.
