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Apr 20, 2017
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CANBERRA – Australia plans to tighten its citizenship rules to require higher English language skills, longer residency and evidence of integration such as a job, officials said Thursday.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the new citizenship test would reflect Australian values instead of the current multiple-choice format.

“This will be good for the applicants, good for the nation, underlining our Australian values at the very heart of Australian citizenship,” Turnbull told reporters.

“This is not about administration. This is about allegiance and commitment to Australian values,” he added.

Budding Australian citizens would have to be competent English language speakers and have been permanent residents for at least four years. Currently a permanent resident can become a citizen after one year.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said there would be greater police checks on citizenship applicants and perpetrators of domestic violence should be disqualified.

Applicants would have to show the steps they had taken to integrate into and contribute to the Australian community. Examples would include evidence of employment, membership of community organizations and school enrollment for all eligible children, a government statement said.