Output 2.3 Australian citizenship

This output has two components:

2.3.1 Decisions on citizenship status

2.3.2 Promotion of the value of Australian citizenship

Highlights

In November 2006, the Australian Government tabled amendments to the Australian Citizenship Bill 2006 and the Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2006.

The amendments included changes to the residence requirements for applicants for Australian citizenship by conferral from two years’ permanent residence to four years’ lawful residence, including 12 months as a permanent resident in Australia prior to application. Absences from Australia cannot exceed 12 months, including no more than three months in the 12 months before applying.

As recommended by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee’s report into the Bills, transitional arrangements were put in place to provide that only people who became permanent residents on or after the commencement of the legislation would be subject to the new residence requirements. People, who became permanent residents before 1 July 2007 and apply before 30 June 2010, must have been present in Australia as a permanent resident for two years in the five years prior to application, including 12 months in the two years prior to application.

On 28 February 2007 the Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2006 was passed by the Australian Parliament. The Australian Citizenship Bill 2006 was passed on 1 March 2007. Both of the Bills received Royal Assent on 15 March 2007.

On 7 June 2007 a commencement date of 1 July 2007 was proclaimed for the new Australian Citizenship Act 2007.

Citizenship testing

On 30 May 2007, the minister introduced the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Testing) Bill 2007 into the parliament.

The Bill amends the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 to require most permanent residents seeking to become Australian citizens to successfully complete a citizenship test before applying.

The citizenship test will better ensure migrants have the capacity to fully participate in the Australian community as citizens. It will promote social cohesion and successful integration into the community.

The Bill also requires that most permanent residents seeking Australian citizenship must have an adequate knowledge of Australia. This new requirement is in addition to the current requirement that applicants must:

• understand the nature of their application for citizenship
• possess a basic knowledge of the English language
• have an adequate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges
  of Australian citizenship.

Most applicants for citizenship will also be required to sign a statement of commitment as part of their application. The statement of commitment requires that they will respect Australian values and accept that Australian citizenship involves reciprocal rights and responsibilities.

The introduction of the Bill followed an extensive public consultation process. The Australian Government released a discussion paper on 17 September 2006 seeking community views on the merits of introducing a formal citizenship test.
More than 1640 responses were received with 60 percent of respondents supporting the introduction of a citizenship test. Following the consultation process, the government announced on 11 December 2006 its intention to introduce a test.

The Bill was referred on 13 June 2007 to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee for examination. The committee will report back on 31 July 2007.

Citizenship promotion

On Australian Citizenship Day, 17 September 2006, a new creative was launched as part of the ongoing Australian citizenship promotion campaign. The new theme, appearing on television, in print and on the internet, stated that: Becoming an Australian citizen is much more than a ceremony. It’s an opportunity to fully embrace the Australian way of life and enjoy everything this country has to offer.

Citizenship applications/grants

A record number of 169 123 people became Australian citizens by grant, descent and resumption in 2006-07. Of this number, 154 063 became citizens by grant, which is a 42 per cent increase compared to 2005-06. Electronic lodgement of applications through the citizenship website continued to increase with 47 427 people applying on-line, an increase of 39.7 per cent compared to the previous year. This represented 29.8 per cent of all applications.

On Australia Day 2007, 12 500 people from 111 countries became Australian citizens at 280 ceremonies around the country.

Special citizenship ceremonies were also held during the year to celebrate Australian Citizenship Day and Refugee Week.