I've done exactly the same. Applied on the 22nd August and paid. I'm sure that the rules which apply to you will be the ones in place at the time that they take your fee.

An admin delay caused by a backlog (e.g. Perth offices are not making any more appointments at the minute) should not cause you to have to pay more at a later date or be subject to an additional 'test' - assuming that you were of course eligible at the time you made the application (which in the case of online applications you have to be because they don't accept it unless you are)

i take it though you are eligible to apply now?

we arrived 13th oct 05 so i assume we cant even apply until 14th oct this year?

Are you talking to me?

If so, yes I am eligible - as I say the online application accesses your records - i.e. how long you have been out of the country within the 2 year qualifying period. So if you try to apply too early (as I did at one stage - tried to sneak an application through) they just rejected it and said that I had not completed the qualifying period.

When I had completed the qualifying period I tried again and it was accepted.

bugger

How much is the extra fee?

This is the thing that would bug me - I'm not bothered about the test in itself - I think I'd quite enjoy doing a bit of reading - but I resent paying more money.

that was totally my thing to, its not like its just an extra few dollars its double the price!!!!!!!!! phoned for my interview and was told to call back in 2 or 3 weeks as they have no appointments, was informed that if my application is logged i should not have to take the test!!! pheeeeewwww!!!

It is double so instead of it being $240 for the two of us now it is nearly $500.... as if we havent paid enough in taxes and stamp duty in the last two years, not to mention 2 x TRA fees and visa application...

The test does bother me as with my baby brain at the moment I can barely remember anything let alone stuff about the aussie flag and whatnot...!

Ah well, not much we can do about it other than hope it gets delayed coming in...

I wonder whether the whole thing will change again anyhow. The Australian govt has long been campaigning to get people to become citizens and then it jacks up the price! I think many people will think again - and perhaps just keep their PR.

I know it does seem rather contradictory doesnt it.....

This is also ironic - the test is supposedly to make people be aware of the Australian way of life and yet I would hazard a guess that many, many (most?) Australians wouldn't pass the test without study.

So, we have a situation when immigrants will be more Australian than the Australians they are supposed to be living with.

A true test of a test which is trying to ensure assimilation would be that most Australians would achieve the pass mark without study. If not then surely the test is acting as a barrier to entry and not as an assurance of awareness.

totally agree with you, had a conversation at work the other day and there were even a few aussies who didnt know the date of australia day. So like you say, if they dont know the answers to some of the questions then why should we be constantly proving ourselves worthy.
Surely by actually getting our visas, holding down our jobs, building new lives, is proof that we are merging into aussie life.
It just feels like one more hurdle to jump through to be accepted by the govt, even though locals etc all accept us with open arms.

Yep, I agree too

In fact I was talking to an Aussie friend about this some weeks ago and they said that they'd never pass it and they've lived here since they were 3 years old....

I'm amazed there are true blue aussies who don't know when Australia Day is. They get a day off for heavens sake. That must click something inside the head

Hey Bridie,

I was getting my hopes up there too, looks like we're in the same boat, fingers crossed for a delay eh.......for the sake of a few weeks we get to pay double, nice.

You were given wrong advice.

You can apply before interview as long as you are residentially and otherwise qualified.