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Citizenship Test
My wife and I took our citizenship tests this afternoon and passed. While I am from the UK my wife is not however we both found it pretty straightforward so if anyone is having the jitters then do not panic, it is pretty straightforward.
We booked our tests over the phone and received the 'Becoming an Australian Citizen' book that you need to study before taking the test. This book is also available electronically from the Citizenship website (http://www.citizenship.gov.au/) and is A4 size and 48 pages covering the history, famous people and political aspects of Australia . On booking our tests we received an email confirmation with all the details on what to bring, where to go, our reference numbers etc. From a timing perspective, we phoned to book in late September 2008 with the next available tests being late November in Newcastle or mid/late December in Sydney. A couple of days before the test we had a phone call from the Citizenship people reminding/checking we were attending and also reminding us on what to bring (driving license, passport, birth certificate) We went to Newcastle, NSW although we live in Sydney as it had a sooner date and we were keen to move things along. The people at Newcastle Centrelink, where we took the test, were friendly and helpful when we arrived and parking in a nearby multi-storey was easy. You spend 10-15 minutes with them scanning your documents, e.g. passport, and checking some details on the computer, and then you are led into a room with around 10 PCs in it. On the PC you can run through a tutorial or jump straight into the test. There was no pressure to rush, as only myself and my wife were taking the test at that moment. The tutorial is not timed, however I skipped it as had already run through it on the Citizenship website. The actual test has a time limit of 45 minutes and you have to answer 20 (pooled from 200) multiple choice questions. It took less than 5 minutes to answer them and just to ensure I hadn't been overly confident I ran through the questions/answers again before submitting the test. You get an instant notification on whether you have passed or failed. To pass you need to correctly answer the 3 questions on the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship in addition to having a correct score of over 60%. My test result report had the following breakdowns:
As I am now eligible to apply I have submitted my citizenship application via the Internet and will post again once it has been processed. The entire process to date has been very painless (except I need to get another UK police security check due to not moving to Australia within 12 months of receiving the visa). My advice to everyone is to read the Cramming Guide, phone to book your test 3-4 months prior to being eligible to citizenship and relax. You are allowed to take the test prior to being eligible which means you can move things along much quicker. thanks and good luck Alex |
Re: Citizenship Test
Hi Alex,
Thanks for that info, we just booked out test yesterday for March, so I'm happy to get as much info as I can! I can't wait to do the test to get it over with, I'm already nervous, LOL Thanks Shelley |
Re: Citizenship Test
I won't have to do it:thumbup:
G |
Re: Citizenship Test
Thanks for that Alex. I just called yesterday and booked ours for the first week of March. So the Brisbane test centre is booking about 2 months ahead. Only a couple of weeks for the Gold Coast though.
I like to see people do well on the test, I hope it's a piece of cake for me too. |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by comet555
(Post 7159419)
Thanks for that Alex. I just called yesterday and booked ours for the first week of March. So the Brisbane test centre is booking about 2 months ahead. Only a couple of weeks for the Gold Coast though.
I like to see people do well on the test, I hope it's a piece of cake for me too. I'm just panicking about mine - All of the dates just seem to be swirling around in my head and attaching themselves to the wrong events! I just hope it isn't too date heavy... S |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by Swerv-o
(Post 7159566)
I'm just panicking about mine - All of the dates just seem to be swirling around in my head and attaching themselves to the wrong events! I just hope it isn't too date heavy...
S I don't know why I'm nervous about it. I had lots of exams in University and I've given my share of tests while I was teaching. I think in some ways it's all the comments like finished it in 3 minutes and got 100%. I keep thinking what if it takes me 30 minutes and I fail! Just a bit of panick I think! Definitely hope it doesn't have too many dates though! |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by comet555
(Post 7159622)
Yes... me too!
I don't know why I'm nervous about it. I had lots of exams in University and I've given my share of tests while I was teaching. I think in some ways it's all the comments like finished it in 3 minutes and got 100%. I keep thinking what if it takes me 30 minutes and I fail! Just a bit of panick I think! Definitely hope it doesn't have too many dates though! Yes - I think it's just that fear of failure! At least we speak English and have a reasonable understanding of how the country operates. I'm perfectly happy with the government and constitutions stuff - it's the completely unknown sports personalities the rest of the world has never heard of I am worried about. And what happened to Eddie Charlton? I was banking on him being one I had heard of! S |
Re: Citizenship Test
I thought I would just report back on my Citizenship Test. I took my test yesterday, and passed with full marks, which was nice.
I would say that the actual test is much easier than the sample ones you can do on the net. I suspect that they are deliberately hard to panic you into buying their revision pack and more sample tests. Some of my question highlights were: What is the Capital of Australia? What year was the first federal government formed? What sport would you associate The Ashes with? What is the national anthem called? Where were the 1956 olympics held? what significant event in indigenous politics occurred in 1967? What did the Mabo decision mean for indigenous populations? Does a baby born overseas and registered as an Australian citizen have full citizen rights? How are elections ballots conducted? I can't remember any more right now. If I do, I will add them on to this list. I would suggest that anybody taking the test follows Alex's advice above - download the cramming sheet and read through it a couple of times. Many of the questions are just common sense. There are three answers to choose from, and one is usually completely outrageous, and the other could be about right. Watch for some of the questions though, as a couple had some interesting double negatives in which could trip you up. Read the questions carefully and you should be fine! Good luck! S |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by Grayling
(Post 7159037)
I won't have to do it:thumbup:
G |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by Swerv-o
(Post 7174776)
I thought I would just report back on my Citizenship Test. I took my test yesterday, and passed with full marks, which was nice.
I would say that the actual test is much easier than the sample ones you can do on the net. I suspect that they are deliberately hard to panic you into buying their revision pack and more sample tests. Some of my question highlights were: What is the Capital of Australia? What year was the first federal government formed? What sport would you associate The Ashes with? What is the national anthem called? Where were the 1956 olympics held? what significant event in indigenous politics occurred in 1967? What did the Mabo decision mean for indigenous populations? Does a baby born overseas and registered as an Australian citizen have full citizen rights? How are elections ballots conducted? I can't remember any more right now. If I do, I will add them on to this list. I would suggest that anybody taking the test follows Alex's advice above - download the cramming sheet and read through it a couple of times. Many of the questions are just common sense. There are three answers to choose from, and one is usually completely outrageous, and the other could be about right. Watch for some of the questions though, as a couple had some interesting double negatives in which could trip you up. Read the questions carefully and you should be fine! Good luck! S Thanks for that info, much appreciated. I'm doing my test in March, I'm worried about all the dates , were there many questions on dates? Yes, I've noted that the test questions on-line are quite difficult. Thanks again!!! Cheers Shelley |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by Swerv-o
(Post 7174776)
Does a baby born overseas and registered as an Australian citizen have full citizen rights?
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Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by JAJ
(Post 7175050)
I hope the "right" answer is no, because there is one difference ... an Australian citizen by descent must spent 2 years in Australia in order to be able to pass on Australian citizenship to the next generation born overseas.
Reading the question carefully: "Does a baby born overseas and registered as an Australian citizen have full citizen rights?" I think the answer will be yes, on the basis that the baby has already been registered as an Australian citizen. If the question was: "Does a baby born overseas to Australian parents have full citizen rights?", then your answer would come into play. I think ;) |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by comet555
(Post 7159419)
Thanks for that Alex. I just called yesterday and booked ours for the first week of March. So the Brisbane test centre is booking about 2 months ahead. Only a couple of weeks for the Gold Coast though.
Anyone who has their local centre with a long waiting list, if you find somewhere else that's got a shorter list, you can go there, it's only the ceremony you need to do in your council area. |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by DunRoaminTheUK
(Post 7174783)
Are you already an Australian citizen?
G |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by Grayling
(Post 7175519)
No but I will be over 60 when I apply........so don't have to take the test.
G |
Re: Citizenship Test
G,day guys.
We need to know ( that is my wife and i ) after getting permanent residencey how long is it do you have to wait to apply to become an Aussie citizen ?, al replies will be helpfull. Thanks |
Re: Citizenship Test
Ps. We got our permanent residencey in November 2008 but came over to Australia in June 2007 .
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Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by RickyRamone
(Post 7180093)
G,day guys.
We need to know ( that is my wife and i ) after getting permanent residencey how long is it do you have to wait to apply to become an Aussie citizen ?, al replies will be helpfull. Thanks |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by RickyRamone
(Post 7180142)
Ps. We got our permanent residencey in November 2008 but came over to Australia in June 2007 .
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Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by comet555
(Post 7181778)
How is that possible, that's not even 2 years?
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Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by JAJ
(Post 7182128)
It is possible for a temporary resident to progress to permanent residence within 2 years.
I see now that it was just arrived and then got PR (not citizenship). |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by Grayling
(Post 7175519)
No but I will be over 60 when I apply........so don't have to take the test.
G Incidentally, for so long I began to think you actually looked like Papa Lazaru and now it's happening all over again with Ben Kingsley!!.... :D |
Re: Citizenship Test
Thanks Alex very helpful post, I only called yesterday to see when we are eligible & I got booked in for 2 weeks time to do the test, I only found out through Wendy that there is book to study.:eek:
How long after you have passed the test do you get the thumbs up basically that you are a citizen would any of you guys know.;) |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by chris and farideh
(Post 7276683)
Thanks Alex very helpful post, I only called yesterday to see when we are eligible & I got booked in for 2 weeks time to do the test, I only found out through Wendy that there is book to study.:eek:
How long after you have passed the test do you get the thumbs up basically that you are a citizen would any of you guys know.;) Our application took about 1 month to be approved (approved in mid August 2008) BUT we didn't formally become citizens until we attended the ceremony on January 26th 2009 (Australia day) as we were not invited to any ceremonies before then. |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by DunRoaminTheUK
(Post 7276703)
You have to apply for citizenship after having passed the test. The test is merely a pre-requisite.
Our application took about 1 month to be approved (approved in mid August 2008) BUT we didn't formally become citizens until we attended the ceremony on January 26th 2009 (Australia day) as we were not invited to any ceremonies before then. |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by chris and farideh
(Post 7276715)
Thank you for that so I guess it would be around March & the ceremany would take in our local council I would imagine, is that right?
The bottom line is that it can vary by a matter of months when comparing against the progress of other individuals? |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by DunRoaminTheUK
(Post 7276703)
You have to apply for citizenship after having passed the test. The test is merely a pre-requisite.
Our application took about 1 month to be approved (approved in mid August 2008) BUT we didn't formally become citizens until we attended the ceremony on January 26th 2009 (Australia day) as we were not invited to any ceremonies before then. |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by DunRoaminTheUK
(Post 7276730)
I'd like to be able to say "yes" but ultimately it's up to the discretion of whoever is dealing with your application at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and then the discretion and responsibility is passed onto your local council for arranging the ceremony (which can depend on people already waiting in your council area).
The bottom line is that it can vary by a matter of months when comparing against the progress of other individuals? DIAC used to offer a non council based ceremony that they performed - It was always much quicker to opt for that one, but it had none of the pomp and circumstance of the council one, as it was just held in some DIAC offices. Does anybody know if that option is still available? Owing to a cock up with my stupid UK police check, I don't really want to have to wait for the council to get it's act together... S |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by Swerv-o
(Post 7276805)
DIAC used to offer a non council based ceremony that they performed - It was always much quicker to opt for that one, but it had none of the pomp and circumstance of the council one, as it was just held in some DIAC offices.
Does anybody know if that option is still available? Owing to a cock up with my stupid UK police check, I don't really want to have to wait for the council to get it's act together... S |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by DunRoaminTheUK
(Post 7276730)
I'd like to be able to say "yes" but ultimately it's up to the discretion of whoever is dealing with your application at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and then the discretion and responsibility is passed onto your local council for arranging the ceremony (which can depend on people already waiting in your council area).
The bottom line is that it can vary by a matter of months when comparing against the progress of other individuals? |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by moneypen20
(Post 7276845)
Don't know about Sydney but I know they weren't prepared to do such a thing for me. I was told ceremony or nowt (well that's not exactly what they said but you get my drift :D)
I only know because that's what Geordie George and her husband did... S |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by Swerv-o
(Post 7276930)
I only know because that's what Geordie George and her husband did...
S |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by moneypen20
(Post 7276845)
Don't know about Sydney but I know they weren't prepared to do such a thing for me. I was told ceremony or nowt (well that's not exactly what they said but you get my drift :D)
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Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by moneypen20
(Post 7276845)
Don't know about Sydney but I know they weren't prepared to do such a thing for me. I was told ceremony or nowt (well that's not exactly what they said but you get my drift :D)
http://www.citizenship.gov.au/law-and-policy/policy.htm (chapter 6) Frequency of ceremonies It is desirable that citizenship ceremonies be held so that prospective citizens need wait no longer than 12 weeks after being notified that their application has been approved. The cooperation of local government authorities should be sought in order to avoid undue delays in conferees making a pledge ... Routine department ceremonies Routine department ceremonies are generally held for people who are not required to make the pledge in English, or would find it difficult to participate in a local government ceremony. For example, because they are aged or unable to travel. Routine department ceremonies are also held when councils are unable or unwilling to schedule sufficient ceremonies to accommodate the number of approved citizenship applicants in their area. If you have a right under policy to a Department ceremony (eg if your council is not doing its job to have enough ceremonies) and the "helpline says no" you should escalate it by making a formal complaint and insist that they follow their own policies. The Minister for Citizenship may well be interested to find out if individual DIAC offices aren't doing their job in this respect. |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by JAJ
(Post 7283532)
There are policy guidelines:
http://www.citizenship.gov.au/law-and-policy/policy.htm (chapter 6) [i]Frequency of ceremonies It is desirable that citizenship ceremonies be held so that prospective citizens need wait no longer than 12 weeks after being notified that their application has been approved. Interesting that. We were approved on 9 Oct and had our ceremony on 4 Feb so around 16 weeks. I hadn't realised we could try and do it earlier but then it's academic now. |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by Swerv-o
(Post 7159631)
Yes - I think it's just that fear of failure! At least we speak English and have a reasonable understanding of how the country operates.
S the one about who can stand for parliament - I missed the bit about renouncing dual citizenship ,but because the test allows 45 mins and I finished my first go in less than 5 I was given a cram sheet and allowed an immediate resit which I passed with full marks. Also don't have to get UK police clearance because I entered Aus within 3 months of the original migration one being completed. The citizenship peeps seem to have a lot of leeway when it comes to applying the rules. |
Re: Citizenship Test
Hi is there any special allowance for people with dyslexia in the citizenship test. Thanks :thumbup:
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Re: Citizenship Test
G'day all you helpful and knowledgeable peeps... :thumbup:
Do any of you know how long before eligibility you are allowed to take the test? i.e. is a passed test only valid for a year? For info: we will have been here for 4 years on 15 Feb 2010 (we will also have held PR for over a year by then) so if the tests are good for 12 months we thought we may as well get them done now so we're one more step closer. Cheers y'all. Catchya, RT :) |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by Rogue Trader
(Post 7321590)
G'day all you helpful and knowledgeable peeps... :thumbup:
Do any of you know how long before eligibility you are allowed to take the test? i.e. is a passed test only valid for a year? |
Re: Citizenship Test
Originally Posted by JAJ
(Post 7323394)
No time limit (as long as the rules don't change).
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