A new report released by the Auditor-General’s office this week has shone a light on the process that wannabe citizens have to go through before they become fully fledged Aussies.
The audit report, which was released by the federal department on Monday, has raised questions about the effectiveness of the current citizenship process after it was reported by News.com.au that more than 1,200 new Australians actually failed the test three times before they went on to secure a pass last year.
According to the news outlet more than 4,800 applicants out of more than 85,000 failed the 20-question test last year.
The report, which is publicly available online, found that the number of citizenship applications has increased by 25 per cent over the past four years, with a total of 239,413 applications lodged in 2017–18.
Despite an increase in lodgements, the audit report also found that the number of backlogged citizenship applications has increased by a whopping 771 per cent over the same time period, demonstrating that processing by the Department of Home Affairs has not kept up with the rate of applications received.
Also, while the number of such applicants has risen since 2015, the number of computer-based citizenship tests administered has decreased.
“Applications for citizenship by conferral have not been processed in a time-efficient manner,” the report reads. “Processing times have increased and long delays are evident between applications being lodged and decisions being taken on whether or not to confer citizenship.”
The audit focused solely on applications for citizenship by conferral, which requires applicants to have spent a certain period of time as an Australian permanent resident, as opposed to becoming a citizen through marriage or a de facto situation. Applications are usually aged between 18 and 59.
Read more: Data reveals rising number of migrants applying for Australian citizenship.
In light of the report, Starts at 60 has pulled together 20 practice questions for the Citizenship Test so that our readers can test their own True Blue Aussie knowledge. The test requires applicants to score at least 15 out of 20 to secure a pass, with the questions selected from 75 possible options.
1. What do we remember on Anzac Day?
2. What are the colours of the Australian Aboriginal Flag?
3. Which official symbol of Australia identifies Commonwealth property?
4. Which of these statements about Australia’s system of government is correct?
5. Which of these is an example of freedom of speech?
6. Which of these statements about government in Australia is correct?
7. Which of these is an example of equality in Australia?
8. Which of these is a responsibility of Australian citizens aged 18 years or over?
9. Which of these is a responsibility of Australian citizens aged 18 years or over?
10. Which of these statements about passports is correct?
11. Which of these statements about voting in Australian elections is correct?
12. What happened in Australia on 1 January 1901?
13. What is the name of the legal document that sets out the rules for the government of Australia?
14. What is a referendum?
15. Which arm of government has the power to interpret and apply laws?
16. Which of these is a role of the Governor-General?
17. Which of these statements about state governments is correct?
18. What is the name given to the party or coalition of parties with the second largest number of members in the House of Representatives?
19. What is the name of a proposal to make a law in parliament?
20. Who maintains peace and order in Australia?
Answers: 1a, 2a, 3c, 4b, 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9c, 10a, 11a, 12b, 13c, 14b, 15c, 16b, 17b, 18b, 19b, 20b