Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this
mk-logo
News
Australia to tighten citizenship rules for new migrants

Australia will make it harder for people to gain citizenship, with applicants needing to demonstrate advanced English language skills and to pass other tests in a major overhaul of the visa and migration process, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced today. 

A citizenship test must reflect "Australian values," Turnbull said as he unveiled the tougher requirements for new applicants, adding that it will "strengthen citizenship, to make for a stronger Australia.

"Aspiring citizens will need to have competent English," Turnbull said.  

New applicants will be required to pass a stringent stand-alone language test, involving reading, writing, listening and speaking.​

Applicants will also be quizzed on issues like domestic violence and whether they think it is okay for somebody to beat their wife. The test will also touch on topics such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.

Turnbull said those questions were "important to reinforce our values."

"Under the new rules, applicants must have lived in the country for four years as a permanent resident - three years longer than at present.

Turnbull said the changes would ensure that migrants were "integrated into and engaged with our Australian community, so that they're part of the community."

"There is no more important title in our democracy than Australian citizen and... that institution must reflect Australian values," he told reporters in the capital Canberra.

On Tuesday, Turnbull announced stricter visa requirements for skilled workers from overseas.

- dpa

ADS