So, you have visited Australia and have decided you want to stay and become an Australian citizen. You have thought about it and you want to live, work and invest in this great country referred to by many as the Outback.
Permanent resident
Just to be certain that you understand – a permanent resident of Australian is someone who has a permanent visa but is not yet a citizen. You can have a “permanent visa” and work, live and study without any restrictions but you will not be a citizen and will not be able to:
- Automatically will not have the right of entry into Australia if you travel out of the country.
- You will not be able to vote in Australian government elections.
- You will not be eligible for any governmental services and benefits that are maintained for only citizens.
Australian Citizenship
Australian Citizenship does have plenty of rewards for those who want to have permanent legal residency in Australia. Most of all you get to meet and live among people that like you have come from different countries and races from almost every country around the world. Second, you become one of a unified, liberated and democratic society. And finally, the most valuable part of becoming a citizen of Australia is the commitment you make to the value of the country and its people. You can find more information at citizenshipaustralian.com.
Citizenship Test
One of the requirements of becoming an Australian citizen is that you will have to take the Australian Citizenship test. This is a test that will evaluate what your knowledge is of Australia. This includes:
- Beliefs
- Geography
- Government
- Laws
- The people
You also will be tested on the responsibilities and privileges of being an Australian citizen. The Australian Citizenship Test will also test what you know about Australia in regards to the government and the law. And importantly, it will also test you on Australia’s democratic:
- Beliefs
- Liberties
- Rights
Apart from the topics already mentioned, the exam will also test your basic knowledge of the English language.
20 questions
This test is made up of 20 multiple-choice questions. It is a computer-based exam and the questions are drawn randomly from a large database of 200 questions and each applicant will have 45 minutes to finish the test. The questions are taken from the official guide called “Our Common Bond” that is published by the Home Affairs Department. Passing this test, you will need to make a score of at least 75%. After passing the test, you will have demonstrated your commitment and understanding of the Australian Citizenship Pledge.
Traveling outside Australia
You might have questions about traveling outside of Australia after you have approved for citizenship, passed your exam and ready for the citizenship ceremony. If you have not finished all of this, you must still travel using your current passport. And in addition, this will not affect your ability to attend your ceremony or to become an Australian citizen.
10 days
If you wait for at least 10 days, you might be able to apply to get a passport as an Australian citizen. If you have passed the Citizenship Test, it takes about 10 days for this information to be updated in the system. If you can’t wait, then your current passport will have to be used.