Ad space available
reach us at [email protected].
Major update has been completed. Please help to report any abnormality that you are facing (in case there is any) to [email protected] . Thank you for your continued support guys!

Australian Citizenship Law Changes (effective April 20 2017)

appledeuceappledeuce SydneyPosts: 412Member
Major changes:

1. Need to be a Permanent Resident for at least 4 years before applying (originally 1 year)
2. Harder English test component (reading writing speaking)

Nakakalungkot. I'm affected. Eligible na dapat ako next year, but given the changes, I will have to wait for 2.5 more years.

http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Citi/am-i-eligible

The Australian Government is strengthening the requirements to become an Australian citizen. This includes:

Increasing the general residence requirement, which means an applicant for Australian citizenship will need to demonstrate a minimum of four years permanent residence immediately prior to their application for citizenship
Introducing an English language test, which means applicants will need to demonstrate competent English language listening, speaking, reading and writing skills before being able to sit the citizenship test
Strengthening the Australian Values Statement to include reference to allegiance to Australia and require applicants to make an undertaking to integrate into and contribute to the Australian community
Strengthening the test for Australian citizenship through the addition of new test questions about Australian values, and the privileges and responsibilities of Australian citizenship
Introducing a requirement for applicants to demonstrate their integration into the Australian community
Strengthening the Pledge of commitment as a citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia in the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 to refer to allegiance to Australia; and extending the requirement for individuals aged 16 years and over to make the Pledge to all streams of citizenship by application, including citizenship by descent, adoption and resumption.

Student Visa 573 (SVP) Timeline:
28 Nov 2013 - submitted int'l student application to Victoria Uni
20-21 Dec 2013 - sat IELTS Academic module exam
03 Jan 2014 - received IELTS scores (L:8.5 R:8.0 W:8.0 S:8.0 OBS:8.0)
07 Jan 2014 - undertook medical exam at NHSI Makati
16 Jan 2014 - received unconditional offer from VU
13 Feb 2014 - paid 1st sem tuition fees; received e-COE from VU
13 Feb 2014 - lodged visa application at PIASI
17 Feb 2014 - received visa grant via email (thank you, Lord!)
21 Feb 2014 - first day in OZ
24 Feb 2014 - first day of classes
19 June 2015 - last of day classes!
06 Aug 2015 - received Letter of Completion from uni
14 Oct 2015 - Graduation :D

Journey to PR:
07 Aug 2015 - submitted skills assessment to ACS (261311 - Analyst Programmer)
12 Aug 2015 - received positive skills assessment result from ACS
12 Aug 2015 - submitted EOI for 189 (60 points), 190 (NSW-65 points), 489 (state and relative sponsored - 70 points)
29 Oct 2015 - received ITA for NSW State Nomination
03 Nov 2015 - submitted application for NSW State Nomination
19 Nov 2015 - received NSW SN approval and ITA for 190 visa
01 Dec 2015 - lodged 190 application
14 Dec 2015 - health exam at BUPA Melbourne
15 Dec 2015 - Initial (and hopefully final) CO contact, asking for PCC
22 Dec 2015 - submitted Australian PCC and NBI Clearance
16 Feb 2016 - received 190 PR visa grant

Citizenship:
Date applied: 27 March 2018
Date received the acknowledgement email: 27 March 2018
Received test invite: 11 Feb 2019 for 25 March 2019 (rescheduled to 25 Feb)
Citizenship Approval: 11 March 209
Received Ceremony Invitation: 24 May 2019
Date of Ceremony: 25 June 2019

Comments

  • snookysnooky Sydney
    Posts: 44Member
    Joined: May 25, 2014
    As far as I know, and I'm right because when I arrive in oz in 2011 as PR , the immigration policy is already 4 years before you can apply for citizenship. Why and where did you get this 1 year changes just lately.
  • CasseyCassey Melbourne, Australia
    Posts: 2,812Member, Moderator
    Joined: Sep 07, 2015
    edited May 2017
    @snooky The recent proposal (Apr 20, 2017) for citizenship eligibility is that the applicant needs to hold a PR VISA FOR 4YRS before one can apply while the old requirement for citizenship application is to hold a minimum of 1 YR PR VISA plus 3yrs on other visas.

    June 16, 2013 Arrival in Melbourne (AGED CARE)
    Nov 12, 2014 Changed Visa Subclass (572->573) and Course
    Nov 13, 2014 573 Visa Approved
    Mar 2015 Nursing Conversion Course (Deakin Uni) started
    April 13, 2016 Lodged EOI thru Skill Select
    April 27, 2016 Received invitation to apply for Visa 189 (Nurse)
    May 2, 2016 Lodged application for 189 Visa (Onshore)
    May 11, 2016 CO contacted for Form 80/Medicals of daughter
    June 17, 2016 189 VISA GRANTED Thank you my amazing God :)

    Dec14, 2017 Citizenship application
    March 21, 2019 Citizenship Ceremony :)

    "Happy is the person who learns to wait as he prays and never loses his patience, for God's time is the best time."

  • snookysnooky Sydney
    Posts: 44Member
    Joined: May 25, 2014
    @Cassey I understand what you mean now that the changes affects those who came to the country not on a PR visa. I can see also that having PR on the first place is now an advantage against other visa with respect to citizenship timeline. To be fair as Australia way of saying it , it is harder to get a PR visa than a working visa so its only fare that the game has changed.I apologise Kung may tinamaan ako but I didn't change the rules it's just because life here in oz is getting harder and I guess it's the government way of controlling the no. of applicants who wish to become citizen.Again I sympathise those who are affected but in the end you will realise it's for the benefit of every Australian citizen.
  • MissOZdreamerMissOZdreamer Manila
    Posts: 552Member
    Joined: Apr 04, 2017
    @snooky hello. Bakit mo po nasabi na life there in OZ now is getting harder? Ano po mga factors ang naging mahirap now? Thanks po
  • snookysnooky Sydney
    Posts: 44Member
    Joined: May 25, 2014
    @MissOZdreamer, Factors are different on everyone of us but is related to your stability of employment, age and health, cost of living and cost of your house mortgage, how many are working in the family, ano paba, cost of education, transportation cost pa cguro at isama mona insurance kasi almost all needs to be insured kung gusto mo peace of mind. After all the cost and you are able to save at least 20 percent of your pay salary, medyo life is easy but if less than that then life is getting harder. Again overall, look at the news and it will also give you an idea what is happening around you, i mean locally not around the world.
  • bagong_saltabagong_salta Melbourne
    Posts: 7Member
    Joined: Jun 20, 2017
    @MissOZdreamer

    tumataas yung cost of living at yung sahod di naman masyado nagbabago. yung real estate pa masyadong nagtataas na. kaya madaming nahihirapan din. di porket asa abroad maginhawa na buhay.

    http://www.auscitizenshiptest.com - mock exams
  • MissOZdreamerMissOZdreamer Manila
    Posts: 552Member
    Joined: Apr 04, 2017
    @snooky @bagong_salta thanks sa info. Very helpful po ito esp sa min na nangangarap makapunta sa aus. God bless :)
  • appledeuceappledeuce Sydney
    Posts: 412Member
    Joined: Nov 25, 2013
    snooky said:

    @Cassey I understand what you mean now that the changes affects those who came to the country not on a PR visa. I can see also that having PR on the first place is now an advantage against other visa with respect to citizenship timeline. To be fair as Australia way of saying it , it is harder to get a PR visa than a working visa so its only fare that the game has changed.I apologise Kung may tinamaan ako but I didn't change the rules it's just because life here in oz is getting harder and I guess it's the government way of controlling the no. of applicants who wish to become citizen.Again I sympathise those who are affected but in the end you will realise it's for the benefit of every Australian citizen.

    No it doesn't only affect those who came to the country not on a PR visa. It affects everyone.

    Student Visa 573 (SVP) Timeline:
    28 Nov 2013 - submitted int'l student application to Victoria Uni
    20-21 Dec 2013 - sat IELTS Academic module exam
    03 Jan 2014 - received IELTS scores (L:8.5 R:8.0 W:8.0 S:8.0 OBS:8.0)
    07 Jan 2014 - undertook medical exam at NHSI Makati
    16 Jan 2014 - received unconditional offer from VU
    13 Feb 2014 - paid 1st sem tuition fees; received e-COE from VU
    13 Feb 2014 - lodged visa application at PIASI
    17 Feb 2014 - received visa grant via email (thank you, Lord!)
    21 Feb 2014 - first day in OZ
    24 Feb 2014 - first day of classes
    19 June 2015 - last of day classes!
    06 Aug 2015 - received Letter of Completion from uni
    14 Oct 2015 - Graduation :D

    Journey to PR:
    07 Aug 2015 - submitted skills assessment to ACS (261311 - Analyst Programmer)
    12 Aug 2015 - received positive skills assessment result from ACS
    12 Aug 2015 - submitted EOI for 189 (60 points), 190 (NSW-65 points), 489 (state and relative sponsored - 70 points)
    29 Oct 2015 - received ITA for NSW State Nomination
    03 Nov 2015 - submitted application for NSW State Nomination
    19 Nov 2015 - received NSW SN approval and ITA for 190 visa
    01 Dec 2015 - lodged 190 application
    14 Dec 2015 - health exam at BUPA Melbourne
    15 Dec 2015 - Initial (and hopefully final) CO contact, asking for PCC
    22 Dec 2015 - submitted Australian PCC and NBI Clearance
    16 Feb 2016 - received 190 PR visa grant

    Citizenship:
    Date applied: 27 March 2018
    Date received the acknowledgement email: 27 March 2018
    Received test invite: 11 Feb 2019 for 25 March 2019 (rescheduled to 25 Feb)
    Citizenship Approval: 11 March 209
    Received Ceremony Invitation: 24 May 2019
    Date of Ceremony: 25 June 2019

  • fgsfgs Cooper Basin
    Posts: 1,161Member
    Joined: Nov 12, 2013
    To those who are also applying for PR visa, be very quick because there is an ongoing consultation paper released by DIBP on visa simplication. One recommendation is no more direct PR visa grant. All will go through temporary/provisional visa for a minimum of 2 years to be eligible to apply a PR visa.
  • appledeuceappledeuce Sydney
    Posts: 412Member
    Joined: Nov 25, 2013
    Fortunately, the legislation won't be in effect until 1 July 2018. Makakahabol pa! Haha. To everyone who's eligible and wants to apply for citizenship, do it before July 1!

    Student Visa 573 (SVP) Timeline:
    28 Nov 2013 - submitted int'l student application to Victoria Uni
    20-21 Dec 2013 - sat IELTS Academic module exam
    03 Jan 2014 - received IELTS scores (L:8.5 R:8.0 W:8.0 S:8.0 OBS:8.0)
    07 Jan 2014 - undertook medical exam at NHSI Makati
    16 Jan 2014 - received unconditional offer from VU
    13 Feb 2014 - paid 1st sem tuition fees; received e-COE from VU
    13 Feb 2014 - lodged visa application at PIASI
    17 Feb 2014 - received visa grant via email (thank you, Lord!)
    21 Feb 2014 - first day in OZ
    24 Feb 2014 - first day of classes
    19 June 2015 - last of day classes!
    06 Aug 2015 - received Letter of Completion from uni
    14 Oct 2015 - Graduation :D

    Journey to PR:
    07 Aug 2015 - submitted skills assessment to ACS (261311 - Analyst Programmer)
    12 Aug 2015 - received positive skills assessment result from ACS
    12 Aug 2015 - submitted EOI for 189 (60 points), 190 (NSW-65 points), 489 (state and relative sponsored - 70 points)
    29 Oct 2015 - received ITA for NSW State Nomination
    03 Nov 2015 - submitted application for NSW State Nomination
    19 Nov 2015 - received NSW SN approval and ITA for 190 visa
    01 Dec 2015 - lodged 190 application
    14 Dec 2015 - health exam at BUPA Melbourne
    15 Dec 2015 - Initial (and hopefully final) CO contact, asking for PCC
    22 Dec 2015 - submitted Australian PCC and NBI Clearance
    16 Feb 2016 - received 190 PR visa grant

    Citizenship:
    Date applied: 27 March 2018
    Date received the acknowledgement email: 27 March 2018
    Received test invite: 11 Feb 2019 for 25 March 2019 (rescheduled to 25 Feb)
    Citizenship Approval: 11 March 209
    Received Ceremony Invitation: 24 May 2019
    Date of Ceremony: 25 June 2019

  • marimarimarimari Australia
    Posts: 107Member
    Joined: Feb 18, 2017
    Hello i thought these changes were blocked already?..
  • CasseyCassey Melbourne, Australia
    Posts: 2,812Member, Moderator
    Joined: Sep 07, 2015
    @fgs Any updates with this non-direct PR grants? Pahirap ng pahirap.

    June 16, 2013 Arrival in Melbourne (AGED CARE)
    Nov 12, 2014 Changed Visa Subclass (572->573) and Course
    Nov 13, 2014 573 Visa Approved
    Mar 2015 Nursing Conversion Course (Deakin Uni) started
    April 13, 2016 Lodged EOI thru Skill Select
    April 27, 2016 Received invitation to apply for Visa 189 (Nurse)
    May 2, 2016 Lodged application for 189 Visa (Onshore)
    May 11, 2016 CO contacted for Form 80/Medicals of daughter
    June 17, 2016 189 VISA GRANTED Thank you my amazing God :)

    Dec14, 2017 Citizenship application
    March 21, 2019 Citizenship Ceremony :)

    "Happy is the person who learns to wait as he prays and never loses his patience, for God's time is the best time."

  • CasseyCassey Melbourne, Australia
    Posts: 2,812Member, Moderator
    Joined: Sep 07, 2015
    @marimari May mga amendments dun sa Bill which will take into place by July of this year pero it’s still subject to the passage of legislation. Most likely, parang last year lang siguro yung mangyayari na frozen lahat ng citizenship applications na pumasok ng April 20.

    June 16, 2013 Arrival in Melbourne (AGED CARE)
    Nov 12, 2014 Changed Visa Subclass (572->573) and Course
    Nov 13, 2014 573 Visa Approved
    Mar 2015 Nursing Conversion Course (Deakin Uni) started
    April 13, 2016 Lodged EOI thru Skill Select
    April 27, 2016 Received invitation to apply for Visa 189 (Nurse)
    May 2, 2016 Lodged application for 189 Visa (Onshore)
    May 11, 2016 CO contacted for Form 80/Medicals of daughter
    June 17, 2016 189 VISA GRANTED Thank you my amazing God :)

    Dec14, 2017 Citizenship application
    March 21, 2019 Citizenship Ceremony :)

    "Happy is the person who learns to wait as he prays and never loses his patience, for God's time is the best time."

  • marimarimarimari Australia
    Posts: 107Member
    Joined: Feb 18, 2017
    Aaaah.. thanks po! Akala ko totally nang blocked.. hehe! Sana di na ituloy yung ammendment. Affected kasi ako sa no. Of years ng permanent resident visa.. i’ve been in au for almost 3 years and hopefully ma-grant ung PR visa namin this year..
  • CasseyCassey Melbourne, Australia
    Posts: 2,812Member, Moderator
    Joined: Sep 07, 2015
    @marimari Unfortunately, hindi pa totally naabolish. Anyway, there’s still something good to look forward to, yung PR Visa niyo. I hope you get it this year. All the best!

    June 16, 2013 Arrival in Melbourne (AGED CARE)
    Nov 12, 2014 Changed Visa Subclass (572->573) and Course
    Nov 13, 2014 573 Visa Approved
    Mar 2015 Nursing Conversion Course (Deakin Uni) started
    April 13, 2016 Lodged EOI thru Skill Select
    April 27, 2016 Received invitation to apply for Visa 189 (Nurse)
    May 2, 2016 Lodged application for 189 Visa (Onshore)
    May 11, 2016 CO contacted for Form 80/Medicals of daughter
    June 17, 2016 189 VISA GRANTED Thank you my amazing God :)

    Dec14, 2017 Citizenship application
    March 21, 2019 Citizenship Ceremony :)

    "Happy is the person who learns to wait as he prays and never loses his patience, for God's time is the best time."

  • mhejmhej Sydney
    Posts: 202Member
    Joined: May 29, 2013
    Hello PinoyAU folks - Eligible na kami ni partner mag apply for AU Citizenship this month. We were looking at the requirements, and sa unang requirement pa lang, medyo alanganin na, UNLESS mali pagkakaintindi ko. Which is why I'm seeking your advise and comments.

    Ito po ang requirement:

    •Three documents that all together show your:
    ◦photograph and signature
    ◦current residential address
    ◦birth name, date of birth and gender.


    My understanding is that this means one of 2 things:

    1. 3 IDs that show ALL the details required per ID.
    2. 3 IDs that show AT LEAST 1 of the details required per ID.


    If #1, anong klaseng ID po kaya yun? My NSW Driver's Licence does not show my gender, so hindi na pwede yun. Also, wala na akong alam na ID na available that shows all of those requirements.

    If #2, other than Driver's Licence and Passport, ano pa pong ID ang acceptable? Pwede po ba yung RSA card or yung NSW photo ID lang?

    Thanks sa mga sasagot po!

    ICT Business Analyst - 261111
    Visa Subclass 189

    24 June 2013 - Skills Assessment submitted to ACS
    15 Aug 2013 - IELTs General Speaking Test
    17 Aug 2013 - IELTs General Test (Listening, Reading, Writing)
    30 Aug 2013 - IELTs Results (L - 9.0, R - 8.0, W - 8.0, S - 8.0, Overall - 8.5)
    24 Sept 2013 - Favorable letter received from ACS (ICT Business Analyst)
    26 Sept 2013 - Submitted EOI (70 points)
    7 Oct 2013 - Received Invitation to Apply (Visa Subclass 189)
    11 Oct 2013 - Submitted Visa Application
    21 Oct 2013 - Medical Exam (I completed mine, partner had to wait for a few days to complete hers)
    - applied for NBI Clearance
    24 Oct 2013 - Primary Applicant (me) Medicals uploaded by NHSI.
    4 Nov 2013 - Partner completed Medical Exam
    5 Nov 2013 - Claim NBI Clearance
    - Secondary Applicant (partner) Medicals uploaded by NHSI.
    6 Nov 2013 - 20 Nov 2013 waiting for CO.
    21 Nov 2013 - CO Allocated
    26 Nov 2013 - Visa Grant (yehey!!)
    21 March 2014 - Flight to Sydney (Qantas 7PM HKT)
    6 May 2014 - Received 12 month contract from company (same company I worked for in Manila)
    12 May 2014 - Started work
    15 Dec 2014 - Hired permanently by current company (IT Service Manager).
    17 Apr 2018 - Applied for Citizenship (online)
    11 Mar 2019 - Citizenship Exam Schedule
    08 Oct 2019 - Australian Citizenship Ceremony

    ==Slowly, but surely..Things will fall into place..==

  • appledeuceappledeuce Sydney
    Posts: 412Member
    Joined: Nov 25, 2013
    mhej said:

    Hello PinoyAU folks - Eligible na kami ni partner mag apply for AU Citizenship this month. We were looking at the requirements, and sa unang requirement pa lang, medyo alanganin na, UNLESS mali pagkakaintindi ko. Which is why I'm seeking your advise and comments.

    Ito po ang requirement:

    •Three documents that all together show your:
    ◦photograph and signature
    ◦current residential address
    ◦birth name, date of birth and gender.


    My understanding is that this means one of 2 things:

    1. 3 IDs that show ALL the details required per ID.
    2. 3 IDs that show AT LEAST 1 of the details required per ID.


    If #1, anong klaseng ID po kaya yun? My NSW Driver's Licence does not show my gender, so hindi na pwede yun. Also, wala na akong alam na ID na available that shows all of those requirements.

    If #2, other than Driver's Licence and Passport, ano pa pong ID ang acceptable? Pwede po ba yung RSA card or yung NSW photo ID lang?

    Thanks sa mga sasagot po!

    My understanding is (2) - three docs that collectively show all 3 details required. Your passport should take care of "photograph and signature". Your NSW driver's lincense should take care of "current residential address" (well, hopefully). Your birth certificate should take care of "birth name, date of birth and gender". Hope this helps. Good luck! :)

    Student Visa 573 (SVP) Timeline:
    28 Nov 2013 - submitted int'l student application to Victoria Uni
    20-21 Dec 2013 - sat IELTS Academic module exam
    03 Jan 2014 - received IELTS scores (L:8.5 R:8.0 W:8.0 S:8.0 OBS:8.0)
    07 Jan 2014 - undertook medical exam at NHSI Makati
    16 Jan 2014 - received unconditional offer from VU
    13 Feb 2014 - paid 1st sem tuition fees; received e-COE from VU
    13 Feb 2014 - lodged visa application at PIASI
    17 Feb 2014 - received visa grant via email (thank you, Lord!)
    21 Feb 2014 - first day in OZ
    24 Feb 2014 - first day of classes
    19 June 2015 - last of day classes!
    06 Aug 2015 - received Letter of Completion from uni
    14 Oct 2015 - Graduation :D

    Journey to PR:
    07 Aug 2015 - submitted skills assessment to ACS (261311 - Analyst Programmer)
    12 Aug 2015 - received positive skills assessment result from ACS
    12 Aug 2015 - submitted EOI for 189 (60 points), 190 (NSW-65 points), 489 (state and relative sponsored - 70 points)
    29 Oct 2015 - received ITA for NSW State Nomination
    03 Nov 2015 - submitted application for NSW State Nomination
    19 Nov 2015 - received NSW SN approval and ITA for 190 visa
    01 Dec 2015 - lodged 190 application
    14 Dec 2015 - health exam at BUPA Melbourne
    15 Dec 2015 - Initial (and hopefully final) CO contact, asking for PCC
    22 Dec 2015 - submitted Australian PCC and NBI Clearance
    16 Feb 2016 - received 190 PR visa grant

    Citizenship:
    Date applied: 27 March 2018
    Date received the acknowledgement email: 27 March 2018
    Received test invite: 11 Feb 2019 for 25 March 2019 (rescheduled to 25 Feb)
    Citizenship Approval: 11 March 209
    Received Ceremony Invitation: 24 May 2019
    Date of Ceremony: 25 June 2019

  • dy3pdy3p Sydney, NSW
    Posts: 552Member
    Joined: Apr 27, 2017
    @mhej kung kulang pa din, I guess pwede po kayong magapply ng proof of age. hehe It's still a valid ID with an option to put your address on it.

    08/11/15 - IELTS
    16/12/15 - AHPRA registration application
    14/01/16 - AHPRA refusal and referral to BP
    09-11/16 - Bridging program completion
    28/11/16 - AHPRA registration re-application
    03/12/16 - AHPRA registered
    04/12/16 - Job offered and accepted (457 Sponsorship)
    01/04/17 - Medicals for both 457 and future PR application
    07/04/17 - ANMAC assessment application
    15/04/17 - Filed for resignation from current employer
    21/04/17 - Nomination submitted by AU employer
    23/05/17 - Nomination granted
    31/05/17 - 457 application lodged
    16/06/17 - 457 Granted
    27/07/17 - EOI Submitted
    06/09/17 - ITA received
    10/09/17 - PR Skilled Independent 189 Application Lodged
    17/10/17 - CO Contact
    25/10/17 - Further Information Provided
    16/02/18 - Visa Grant Received

Sign In or Register to comment.

Welcome to Pinoy AU Community!

The longest running Pinoy-Australian Forum site in the history. We are connecting Pinoys "in" and "to" Australia since 2010! If you want to join in, click one of these buttons!

Categories

Random Members
(53841)

tresha0206YAcostabehind_you_01oilyberosjumpy18aemonsantoretungoldan78chanoschanosanastacia0228Rjeflores28equestriennerguez06BriannaGumpaul31681matildaingalsydneyauCarpidiempatrisyomeveavae
Browse Members

Members Online (4) + Guest (167)

baikenmathilde9jb07_genmuhyang

Top Active Contributors

Top Posters