Australian Migration

Citizenship test arrangements currently in place would be reviewed as part of the usual process an incoming government undertakes upon taking office, Senator Chris Evans, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, said today.

The minister’s comments follow the release of statistics which show 10 725 citizenship tests have been completed from October 1 (when the new procedure was introduced) to December 31.

‘That figure represents the number of tests – and not the number of applicants sitting the tests,’ Senator Evans said. ‘In fact 8402 people have sat the test, some more than once if their first attempt was not successful. Of that total, about 90 per cent passed on their first or subsequent attempt.

‘The important message for me from these figures is that people are continuing to apply to take out Australian citizenship, a substantial proportion of them are passing, and that if there is room for improvement, it may well be around the support resources and materials we provide to applicants.

Citizenship testing is undertaken at departmental offices, as well as at selected Centrelink and Medicare Australia sites throughout regional Australia.

English training for Gold Coast migrants and refugees

The Queensland Government is providing language training to 60 Gold Coast migrants and refugees.The Gold Coast Institute of TAFE has provided $51,750 to support this project which is also supported by a $33,270 grant from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

The training will be delivered at the Multicultural Families Organisation, the Gold Coast Mosque and the Southport campus of Gold Coast TAFE.The training will take into account cultural sensitivities - for example, classes for Islamic women are being offered at the Gold Coast Mosque and will be delivered by female teachers and tutors.