Australian Citizenship interview

[JohnK]

Wife has Australian citizenship interview in ~4 weeks.

What should we expect? Her understanding of English is not very good. She struggles with reading and writing and this is not good either.

I know the test is multiple choice 20 questions and you need 75% to pass including all 5 Australian values questions. There are practice tests we can take but from what I undersrtand the tests are changed often.

What are people's experiences with citizenship interview? I've been trying find information of real experiences but not much information on the internet.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Wife has Australian citizenship interview in ~4 weeks.

What should we expect? Her understanding of English is not very good. She struggles with reading and writing and this is not good either.

I know the test is multiple choice 20 questions and you need 75% to pass including all 5 Australian values questions. There are practice tests we can take but from what I undersrtand the tests are changed often.

What are people's experiences with citizenship interview? I've been trying find information of real experiences but not much information on the internet.

The interview IIRC is a formality at the test centre to confirm your identity.
It’s some years since I did mine.

If your wife has limited English she can apply in certain circumstances for longer time to sit the test.

 

[Bushman123]

She will be asked to confirm her ID and address details. Yes the phrasing of the questions do change but subject matters remain the same (Australian values, law and order, Australia and its people and rights, beliefs and liberties). Let her familiarise herself on these topics and she will be fine.

 

[pagingjoan]

Practice test and other relevant information here.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/test-and-interview/prepare-for-test/practice-test-new

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/test-and-interview/our-common-bond

 

[Julesmac]

I was born here and intrigued to read some of the questions when young English cousins became citizens 9 years ago - like we have 3 official flags not one -of course familiar with the Aboriginal flag but I honestly did not know the Torres Strait Island flag was official.

 

[pagingjoan]

I was born here and intrigued to read some of the questions when young English cousins became citizens 9 years ago - like we have 3 official flags not one -of course familiar with the Aboriginal flag but I honestly did not know the Torres Strait Island flag was official.

Yes, the TSI flag reference is interesting.

Technically, though, we have one official flag of the nation.
Then ... "Others that are offcially recognised and may be flown in the community include the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag."
The State flags fit into that second category also.

 

[JohnK]

I just did the practice test in the above link. I got 90% confusing Legislative/Judicial and function of governor-general.

Most questions require you to be able to read and understand what you are reading. I think wife is going to struggle.

 

[pagingjoan]

I just did the practice test in the above link. I got 90% confusing Legislative/Judicial and function of governor-general.

Most questions require you to be able to read and understand what you are reading. I think wife is going to struggle.

Testable section in Thai.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship-subsite/files/our-common-bond-testable-thai.pdf

 

[Big John]

I just did the practice test in the above link. I got 90% confusing Legislative/Judicial and function of governor-general.

I got 100%, although I will admit to having to think about the legislative / judicial question for a little while.

It's interesting that the question on the capital of Australia doesn't give "Sydney" as an option.

I guess the quiz isn't purposely set up to fail you !

 

[Lynda2475]

I got 100%. Note the legislative/judicial question is straight off the 5th Grade government curriculum; and would be learned again if you take Commerce in high school (grade 8).

Yes it requires a decent command of English, but that isn't unusual, pretty much all governments require prospective citizens to take their test in the nations official language.

The Our Common Bond booklet is available in Thai which can help with the study, but would be worthwhile you taking her through the practice test and helping her to recognize the key words in questions/answers to look for. Most of sample questions the incorrect options were very obviously incorrect and you can point out why

 

[zig]

I got 100%, although I will admit to having to think about the legislative / judicial question for a little while.

It's interesting that the question on the capital of Australia doesn't give "Sydney" as an option.

I guess the quiz isn't purposely set up to fail you !

I also got 100% and completed it in a fairly quick time. I agree that they aren't setting anyone up to fail. I expect that for those with English as a second language a lot would depend upon how long they are allowed to complete the test. That is, if given enough time to focus on reading each question and the multiples choice answers fully.
All I can say is that I;m glad I don't need to complete it in a second language.
I wish your wife all the best for the test @JohnK and I hope she does well, particularly as she hasn't been well lately.

 

[JohnK]

So first citizenship interview today. Wife did test 3 times and got 55%, 50%, 50% and a lovely letter reminding her she failed.

Wife has been practising test for quite some time. She's been acing the practice test. She said that only 2 questions of the ones she's been studying were in actual test today yet the silly failure letter directs you to go and practice the questions that are not in the test. LOL.

They'll send us next appointment which I think could be in one weeks time. Then a third if needed. I can't see how wife is going to pass. Wife cannot read English and certainly cannot read the difficult words they use in test. Why oh why do they not use simple English?

And also wife said something to me about a question regarding lower house or something like that. I vaguely recall seeing some question about house of representatives. Why are they including upper house/ lower house on the test? A lot of questions are regarding politics of which many have no interest and will never develop any interest. I've been here 52 years and I cannot remember the last time I took any interest in politics or political parties.

Looks like we'll be needing resident return visa until wife is 60 years old and then we'll need another citizenship application, more fees and no test if you're above 60 years old.

 

[Pushka]

So first citizenship interview today. Wife did test 3 times and got 55%, 50%, 50% and a lovely letter reminding her she failed.

Wife has been practising test for quite some time. She's been acing the practice test. She said that only 2 questions of the ones she's been studying were in actual test today yet the silly failure letter directs you to go and practice the questions that are not in the test. LOL.

They'll send us next appointment which I think could be in one weeks time. Then a third if needed. I can't see how wife is going to pass. Wife cannot read English and certainly cannot read the difficult words they use in test. Why oh why do they not use simple English?

And also wife said something to me about a question regarding lower house or something like that. I vaguely recall seeing some question about house of representatives. Why are they including upper house/ lower house on the test? A lot of questions are regarding politics of which many have no interest and will never develop any interest. I've been here 52 years and I cannot remember the last time I took any interest in politics or political parties.

Looks like we'll be needing resident return visa until wife is 60 years old and then we'll need another citizenship application, more fees and no test if you're above 60 years old.

Australian citizens are expected to vote for Government so having questions about Parliament makes sense. Not the same as politics.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So first citizenship interview today. Wife did test 3 times and got 55%, 50%, 50% and a lovely letter reminding her she failed.

Wife has been practising test for quite some time. She's been acing the practice test. She said that only 2 questions of the ones she's been studying were in actual test today yet the silly failure letter directs you to go and practice the questions that are not in the test. LOL.

They'll send us next appointment which I think could be in one weeks time. Then a third if needed. I can't see how wife is going to pass. Wife cannot read English and certainly cannot read the difficult words they use in test. Why oh why do they not use simple English?

And also wife said something to me about a question regarding lower house or something like that. I vaguely recall seeing some question about house of representatives. Why are they including upper house/ lower house on the test? A lot of questions are regarding politics of which many have no interest and will never develop any interest. I've been here 52 years and I cannot remember the last time I took any interest in politics or political parties.

Looks like we'll be needing resident return visa until wife is 60 years old and then we'll need another citizenship application, more fees and no test if you're above 60 years old.

It’s not about politics per se, it’s about our democracy, tolerance and respect for each other.

The questions are quite nuanced in that respect. IIRC one of the questions is something about the freedom to protest, and freedom of speech. That’s an important reminder for some cultures where women and minorities might not enjoy the same rights they do in Australia. Basically you can’t go and buff someone because you don’t agree with them! And for women and minorities, it saying you don’t have to accept bad treatment.

Edited to add: and what Pushka said! Voting is an integral part of the democracy, the freedoms of people, and the rights people have. It’s to differentiate us from totalitarian regimes where the government and bureaucracy may be corrupt and not held accountable.

 

[lakeman]

I think 50% is great for someone with limited English.
It tells me she is no dummy and I am sure she will improve.
Have you had to do anything in Thai ?

 

[Happy Dude]

Bradman's average was 99.94. Phar Lap. Onions go below the sausage (or "snag"). Beetroot is an essential burger ingredient. Anyone that is not you or your immediate family is a "bogan". A bogan with a better car than you is a "cashed-up bogan". Jan 26 is Australia Day, and always should be.

I think that's about it. Might pay to swot up on Malcolm Fraser's trousers though, just in case.

 

[puchu]

On the language thing - one thing the citizenship guide book says is that it is important for immigrants to learn English to better integrate in to the community.

On practicing - I used an app I found from searching “Australian citizenship” on the App Store. The logo looks like someone just discovered the gradient tool in PowerPoint. It has 380 questions in the bank of questions which meant I was fully prepared for the actual test questions. But there is no better way to improve on the test performance than to improve overall reading speed and comprehension.

 

[JohnK]

Australian citizens are expected to vote for Government so having questions about Parliament makes sense. Not the same as politics.

Expected and reality are 2 separate things. As mentioned I have zero interest in politics or how we go about forming governments. I vote based on name and looks. Or informal if I do not care enough.

Nothing wrong with understanding about culture or how to behave but expecting someone to understand upper house/lower house etc is way over the top. It's like expecting someone to know how our judicial system works or better still how it does not work.

She has learned quite a lot over the last few weeks but those questions were not in the test. We'll keep practising but at 50 years old her English is not going to improve.

I think 50% is great for someone with limited English.
It tells me she is no dummy and I am sure she will improve.
Have you had to do anything in Thai ?

Not yet.

I want a driver's licence over there but I am going to cheat and pay someone ~2,000 baht to get one for me.

And next year is our 10th wedding anniversary and I am going to try and get a Thai Spouse Visa which allows me to stay in Thailand up to 12 months without exiting country and is renewable each year.

 

[Pushka]

Expected and reality are 2 separate things. As mentioned I have zero interest in politics or how we go about forming governments. I vote based on name and looks. Or informal if I do not care enough.

Nothing wrong with understanding about culture or how to behave but expecting someone to understand upper house/lower house etc is way over the top. It's like expecting someone to know how our judicial system works or better still how it does not work.

She has learned quite a lot over the last few weeks but those questions were not in the test. We'll keep practising but at 50 years old her English is not going to improve.


Not yet.

I want a driver's licence over there but I am going to cheat and pay someone ~2,000 baht to get one for me.

And next year is our 10th wedding anniversary and I am going to try and get a Thai Spouse Visa which allows me to stay in Thailand up to 12 months without exiting country and is renewable each year.

Unfortunately then what you think and want are at complete odds with what the Government conisiders to be appropriate for what it expects from its citizens, both new and existing. Politics has nothing to do with it. This is reality.

I'd also not state publically you are cheating and bribing someone to get a drivers licence overseas.

 

[JohnK]

Unfortunately then what you think and want are at complete odds with what the Government conisiders to be appropriate for what it expects from its citizens, both new and existing. Politics has nothing to do with it. This is reality.

Up to them. My wife will try to pass the test. That is all. We have no time for anything else.

P.S. I am allowed to think the current regulations are dumb and I'm reading they're wanting to have stricter English tests where you'd have needed to finish high school to pass. Silly idea.