Mateship it's Official and in the Australian Citizenship Test

The requirements from the later part of 2007 are that all those naturalizing will pass a test. The test will require a knowledge of the country's history, her institutions and values, part of which is calledl 'mateship'. It is the equivalent of the US Citizensip Test, and British immigration test which is called the Britishness test.

There is much to value in cultural diversity and by all accounts the Australian government appreciates this, however, they do also want to see migrants integrating well into the community. To be a good citizen a person needs to appreciate nationhood and to value what Australians hold dear. From the start of the use of this test the newcomers will have to show that they have an understanding of the English language.

All aspiring citizens will be given a pamphlet which contains information to help them pass the test, including information about the country's history and political institutions, as well as its economic, cultural and indigenous background. Australian citizenship requires commitment to the nation. This is a nation at ease with itself and the world, the pamphlet says.

What is mateship? The hand-out says it is voluntary help giving and in return receiving it from others, especially when times are difficult.

Mates can be found anywhere and can be from any form of relationship. Indeed, mates may even be strangers. Entrants will answer 20 questions taken from a stock of 200.

The minimum requirement is that the applicant must respond to at least 12 correctly.

10 essentially national values have been identified which are all in the study material given. These values obviously include mateship, and another is something called giving people a 'fair go'. Be tolerant, hold compassion, respect gender equality and support freedom of speech and you will be complying with other core Australian values.

It has to be said that when the new citizens do enter the ranks of Australian nationals many of their fellows will be ignorant of their knowledge. Especially as few will know the exact dates of many of the events in the quiz.

At 40 pages in length the booklet the Australian government gives to applicants is a very valuable publication. The government has said that the aim of the citizen testing requirement was to achieve a balance between ethnic diversity and social cohesion, from the current very wide diversity of migrant origins. New citizens are wanted by Australia but they need to have an overriding commitment to Australia, to our laws, to our values and to the community.

The penalty is high if the applicant does not have much English language, and this has been criticized by some.

As throughout, the requirements are seen by the Government as being of very positive to the newcomers. To encourage English language skills is in the interest of the new citizens, as it will allow them to achieve their aims.

One in four or thereabouts of Australia's current population were born overseas. This illustrates the fact that getting the right migration is very important for Australia. The test must surely be a positive benefit for all. Better understanding of Australia before naturalization should result in a better balance between diversity and cohesion for the nation, plus a faster acclimatization for the immigrant.

You will find is much more information about the Citizenship Tests across all testing nations at http://www.citizen-test.wppts.com.