A draft of Becoming an Australian Citizen, the resource book for the Australian Citizenship Test has been released by Kevin Andrews, the Immigration Minister.  Questions for the test will be drawn from the resource book.

The book is approximately 40 pages in length and covers a number of topics about Australia and Australian life, including history, society, culture and Australian values.

Test applicants will face 20 questions drawn from the book.  These questions will come from a database of some 200 questions.  Applicants will need to answer a minimum of 12 questions correctly (60%) in order to pass.  The correctly answered questions must include three specific questions on the responsibilities and privileges of being an Australian citizen.

Tests will be conducted in every office of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and also in other locations in regional centres.

Assistance will be available for those applicants with special needs, such as a disability or a low level of literacy.

The book has been released to give people an indication of what the test will cover.  It is also open for consultation and can be commented on at the Immigration Minister’s website.

A copy of the draft resource book can be viewed at the website:

http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/resource-book/index.htm

Mr Andrews confirmed that the test is scheduled for implementation later in 2007 but did not give a specific date.  Legislation that will bring the test into law is currently before the Australian Parliament.  The test cannot be implemented until the legislation is passed.