Australians, reckon you’ve got what it takes to pass our nation’s citizenship test? The odds are in your favour! Fresh research has revealed the world's easiest (and hardest) citizenship tests for natives to pass, and Australia graduated top of the class with an impressive 96 per cent pass rate.
Becoming a permanent citizen of Australia comes with many perks – from holding one of the world’s most powerful passports and having the right to vote in elections to applying for federal jobs and living without the fear of deportation. Native Australians don’t have to think twice about these benefits. But if a test was the gateway to these privileges, do you think you’d pass?
The researchers at digital financial institution, Remitly, looked into the countries where it's the easiest (and hardest) for natives to pass their own country's citizenship test. They recruited 2,100 participants in the world’s most popular relocation destinations, giving 300 citizens from each country a simplified version of their nation’s citizenship test. To pass, participants had to score more than 11 out of 15 on the practice test. In reality, prospective Aussie citizens face 20 multiple choice questions, drawn from a pool of 200, and must correctly answer at least 15 questions (including all five about Australian values).
Aussie citizens topped the charts, ranking our island home as the easiest country for residents to pass their citizenship test. Out of the 300 Aussie participants assessed, an impressive 96 per cent passed with flying colours. Germany was hot on our heels, with 95 per cent of citizens passing the practice test, while the US came in third place with a 93 per cent pass rate. On the flip side, Canada had the highest failure rate, with only seven per cent of participants meeting the 75 per cent correct answer threshold.
Want to see how well you know Australia? Test your knowledge with these ten practice questions from the Australian citizenship test:
- What do we commemorate on Anzac Day?
A. The landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I
B. The arrival of the first free settlers from Great Britain
C. The landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove - What are the colours of the Australian Aboriginal flag?
A. Black, red and yellow
B. Green, white and black
C. Blue, white and green - What is the Commonwealth Coat of Arms?
A. The national anthem
B. Australia’s national flower
C. The official symbol of Australia, which identifies Commonwealth property - What happened in Australia on January 1, 1901?
A. The Australian Constitution was changed by a referendum
B. The separate colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia
C. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps was formed - Which of these statements about the government in Australia is correct?
A. The government does not allow some religions
B. The government in Australia is secular
C. Religious laws are passed by parliament - Which of these statements about passports is correct?
A. Australian citizens can apply for an Australian passport
B. Permanent residents can hold an Australian passport
C. Australian citizens need a passport and visa to return to Australia - What is the name of the legal document that sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia?
A. The Australian Federation
B. The Australian Commonwealth
C. The Australian Constitution - What is a referendum?
A. A vote to change the government
B. A vote to change the Australian Constitution
C. A vote to change the prime minister - Which arm of government has the power to interpret and apply laws?
A. Legislative
B. Executive
C. Judicial - Which of these is a role of the governor-general?
A. The appointment of state premiers
B. Signing all bills passed by the Australian parliament into law
C. The appointment of the head of state
Answers: A, A, C, B, B, A, C, B, C, B
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