Citizenship testing 005-01040000

Services Australia undertakes Australian Citizenship testing services on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) in 44 service centres throughout Australia. The service commenced in 2012.

Test administrators and test invigilators (a person who supervises the applicant sitting the test), who are trained Services Australia employees, deliver this service. Services Australia administers the appointments for applicants aged 18-59 years, but do not arrange them or make any decisions relating to citizenship applications.

Services Australia verifies the applicant's identity, facilitates the appointment and administers the test.

Test administrator

• Services Australia employee, APS level 4 or above
• Australian citizen
• Completed required training
• Helps applicant during the test (if required)
• Assess eligibility of an applicant
• Can ask an applicant to leave a test site (if they do not follow the rules)

Test invigilator

• Services Australia employee APS 3 or above
• Australian citizen
• Completed required training
• Checks applicant's identity. Can ask for identity documents before logging applicant into the test
• Supervise applicants taking the test
• Gives results to applicant
• Must not help an applicant during the test.

The Resources page contains links to the Australian citizenship website and additional information for test administrators.

To train additional staff for your site, nominated staff are required to learn the citizenship testing process through mentoring, which is a blended learning approach.

See the Training & Support page for more information on this process.

The citizenship test encourages an applicant to gain an understanding of Australia's values, traditions, history, national symbols, the English language, and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. It is an important part of making sure migrants have the capacity to fully participate in the Australian community as citizens, and to maximise the opportunities available to them in Australia. It promotes social cohesion and successful integration into the community.

Information required to pass the citizenship test is available in the book titled 'Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond'. Resources has a link to this book.

There are a number of different application options. The right application type depends on the applicant's circumstances.

Most people from 18-59 years of age applying for Australian citizenship by conferral must successfully complete a citizenship test administered by the Department of Home Affairs.

Applicants of the citizenship test must:

• have lodged an application for citizenship
• be a permanent resident of Australia
• satisfy the Department of Home Affairs' confirmation of identity requirements during the process of registering for the test, and
• allow Department of Home Affairs and Services Australia to take a photo (similar to a passport photo)

The test is computer based and consists of 20 multiple choice questions. It also contains 5 mandatory Australian 'values' questions which must be answered correctly to pass the test. The minimum pass mark is 75% including the 5 mandatory questions. If the applicant fails to answer any of the 5 mandatory questions correctly, the applicant will not pass the test regardless of their overall score. Applicants have 45 minutes to complete the test. The test is only available in English. Special arrangements are available to applicants who would have difficulty completing the test, for example due to disabilities.

Test with assistance

A test with assistance, where the questions and answers are read aloud to the applicant may be offered at the test administrator's discretion when:

• the applicant is having difficulty using the ReadSpeak function (top right hand side of the test program)
• the applicant appears to have literacy problems and may benefit from having the questions and options read to them

Assisted test

An Assisted Test will be booked for applicants that have met eligibility requirements, such as applicants who have completed an Australian Migrant English Program (AMEP) English course and have not attained sufficient English language proficiency. An Assisted Test allows applicants up to 90 minutes to sit the test rather than 45 minutes. The Daily Attendees List will indicate if an applicant has been booked for an Assisted Test, where 3 consecutive appointments will be allocated.

There is no fee for the citizenship test. However, there is a fee to lodge the application for citizenship.

APS employees are required to identify and take reasonable steps to manage or avoid real or potential conflicts of interest. Citizenship testing is conducted on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs therefore, bound by the same policy.

In the event of a real or perceived conflict of interest, a staff member must tell their Manager as soon as possible. The Manger will then arrange for an alternative test administrator to assist the applicant. The Resources page contains a link to the Conflict of Interest Policy.

The applicant may have family, friends or interpreters help them during interview only. Family, friends or interpreters are not allowed to assist or communicate with the applicant when the test is started.