Citizenship – Residence and English Language requirement explained further
These changes come in for all citizenship applications lodged on 20th April 2017 or afterwards.
GENERAL RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT
Applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum of four years in Australia as a permanent resident immediately prior to applying for citizenship, with a maximum of 12 months outside of Australia in this time period.
This represents a change from the current requirement which allows time spent in Australia as a temporary resident towards a four year qualifying period and only requires a minimum of 12 months spent as a permanent resident immediately prior to applying.
Increasing the minimum period of permanent residence required to qualify for citizenship will enable greater examination of an aspiring citizens’ integration with Australia.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING
English language is essential for economic participation and social cohesion, and there are certain standards that must be met, especially for those who are seeking to become a permanent resident or Australian citizen.
There is strong public support to ensure aspiring citizens are fully able to participate in Australian life, by speaking English, our national language. Aspiring citizens are currently required to possess a level of ‘basic’ English to meet the requirements for citizenship. This is tested when an applicant sits the Australian citizenship test.
Aspiring citizens will be required to undertake separate upfront English language testing with an accredited provider and achieve a minimum level of ‘competent’.
(you must do one of these tests – passport is not good enough)Competent English Proof
People currently exempt from sitting the Australian citizenship test, for example applicants over 60 years of age, or under 16 years of age at the time they applied for citizenship or those with an enduring or permanent mental or physical incapacity, will be exempt from English language testing.
Further details are here about other requirements
Additional requirements of commitment etc