Migrants living in remote and regional communities across Australia will now be able to take their citizenship test in their local area, rather than travelling to the city.
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The Department of Human Services and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) have worked together to help migrants living in the New England Electorate who can now take an Australian Citizenship test at the Tamworth Regional Council Chambers.
Around 141,000 citizenship tests are taken across Australia each year. Last year more than 12,000 – around 230 per week – were conducted in 33 different regional communities across Australia.
The staff at the service centres can guide prospective citizens through the citizenship test process, including verifying documents, administering and setting up the test.
Previously, migrants in these remote and regional areas had to travel to major cities or wait for DIBP to visit their communities.
Minister for Human Services Alan Tudge said Australian Citizenship is an important step in a person’s migration story.
“This service will make it much more convenient for people in regional communities to take their citizenship test locally, rather than travelling into the city,” Mr Tudge said.
“This is a great partnership between the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and the Department of Human Services to make it easier for people in rural and regional areas.”
New England MP Barnaby Joyce said for people living in the electorate sitting the citizenship test in the past often meant a long trip to Sydney or Brisbane.
“Now, prospective citizens can sit the test at their local service centre in Tamworth, making it a far more convenient option,” Mr Joyce said.
To find out more about becoming an Australian citizen visit citizenship.gov.au.
