Are You Ready for Your Australian Citizenship Test?

If you have been a permanent resident in Australia for the required length of time, you will have the opportunity to become an Australian Citizen. In order to do so, you must undertake a Citizenship Test to prove your understanding of the country, it's government, culture and laws. For most people who make the commitment to become a citizen, taking the test can be a nervous time, but there are a number of ways to ensure you're ready.

Advantages of Citizenship

Becoming an Australian citizen has a number of benefits. You will be granted the privilege of obtaining an Australian passport, voting in elections, equal access to employment, support from the Australian consulate abroad and the chance to register any child born overseas as a citizen of Australia also. The task of becoming a citizen should be a happy and exciting time and the only way to ensure this is the case is to feel completely confident in your knowledge of the test questions. There are a number of ways to prepare for this.

Preparing for the Australian Citizenship Test

The Australian Department of Immigration will be able to send you out a copy of their resource book Becoming an Australian Citizen to help you study for the test. You can also view the entire book online at their website as a PDF file. The book contains all the information you are required to know before going to the test. It is mandatory that you study this information as the 20 multiple choice questions you receive will be from this. It also contains some sample questions so you can get a feel for how the test questions are arranged.

Online Resources for the Australian Citizenship Test

Although the official book is the best source of information for the citizenship test, there are many online resources that can help your studying be more effective. Many websites, such as those below, offer sample tests, information and mock exams to help aid your studying.

• www.aussietest.com
• www.australiantest.com

Although you may need to pay for some of these sample tests, it is definitely worth while. They condense large sections of information into smaller, easier to remember questions and this will help you progress through the study easier.

Applying and Sitting the Test

When you feel confident enough to sit the citizenship test, you should call your local test centre to obtain an appointment. There can often be delays, especially in larger cities, so plan in advance if you want to sit your test at a certain time. When your appointment is booked in, you will be emailed or mailed information telling you what items to bring with you. Generally you will need:

• UK passport that you used to enter Australia
• Evidence of your residency status – visa or other form used to enter Australia
• Documentation that shows your signature, photograph and address – driving licence is the best
• Original birth certificate

If you need to bring any other information with you, you'll be told in advance. You then show up at the test office in plenty of time and await your turn. You will speak to an employee of the test office who will photocopy your documents and take a passport sized photo of you there are then if you didn't bring one with you. You'll then be given a number and will head into the test room to sit the test.

Using the Computer for Your Citizenship Test

The Australian citizenship test is conducting on a computer terminal. You will put in your unique user number and can start the test when you're ready. You're generally given 45 minutes to complete the 20 questions, however most people do not need this long. You use the mouse to click on the correct answers on screen and after your 20 questions are completed, you submit them for your results. At this stage you will be told whether you've passed or failed and you'll then be given a detailed print out that will explain which questions you got right and wrong. After this, you're given a form to apply for citizenship or told that you can do so online.

What Happens After the Test?

If you have failed the citizenship test, you'll be told when you're able to re-sit. If you have passed, you can apply for citizenship and will need to await an available ceremony in your area. You will be informed of this once your paperwork has been processed. In many cases it is a few months until the next available ceremony, so don't be surprised if you need to wait. You will need to send in documentation that proves your identity if you apply online and these will need to be certified passport photos by someone that has known you for some time and who is in a particular occupation such as a doctor, lawyer, police officer etc.

Attending a Citizenship Ceremony

When you're asked to attend your citizenship ceremony, you will be expected to know the Australian national anthem and will need to pledge your allegiance to the country. You'll also be presented with your certificate to prove you're a citizen of Australia. All the online tests, booklet studying and worrying will seem worth it once you realise you are now a true blue Aussie.