Transcript

DIAC Officer: Good morning. Department of Immigration and Citizenship. How may I help
you?

Mr. Antonio Orlandi: Hello there. I have some questions about how to become an Australian
citizen. I was wondering whether you could help me or transfer my call to someone who could
answer a few questions.

DIAC Officer: I can surely help, Sir. Perhaps you can start by telling me a bit about yourself?

Mr. Antonio Orlandi: OK. My name is Mr. Antonio Orlandi. I’m Italian. December last year I
got married to an Australian citizen. He’s a councillor of the City of Brisbane. We’ve been
discussing whether I should apply for Australian citizenship. He said, even as his husband, I
can’t automatically get granted citizenship, is that true?

DIAC Officer: Yes, you’re right. Partners of Australian citizens do not have an automatic right
to Australian citizenship. They need to apply for citizenship and satisfy the eligibility criteria in
the same way as other adult applicants.

Mr. Antonio Orlandi: Yes. I also understand that, to become an Australian citizen, I’ll have
to give up my Italian citizenship. I’m really conflicted about this. After all Italy is the place I
was born and raised. So I think I’ll have to weigh things up carefully before I make a decision.

DIAC Officer: Well, I’ll do my best to answer any questions you might have.

Mr. Antonio Orlandi:  Well, if I do become a citizen, what obligations do I have to Australia?

DIAC Officer: Well, as a citizen of Australia there are a number of obligations you have. Firstly,
you must obey all of Australia’s laws. Secondly, you have to defend Australia should the need
arise. Thirdly, you are required to serve on a jury if called to do so. Oh, and one more thing that’s
very important – you have to vote in all elections held.

Mr. Antonio Orlandi:  I see. My understanding is that I must have been living in Australia
on a valid Australian visa for four years before applying for citizenship, is that right?

DIAC Officer: Yes, that’s right.

Mr. Antonio Orlandi:  Well that should be no problem. I came to Australia over five years
ago. At that time I was a ballet teacher, and I’ve been living here legally ever since.

DIAC Officer: And have you been absent from Australia during that period?

Mr. Antonio Orlandi:  Every year I fly home to see my family during Spring Festival. Last
year I performed in Romeo and Juliet on a worldwide concert tour. The whole thing lasted
three months. We went to cities like Vancouver, Seattle, Mexico City, and so on. Do those times
count?

DIAC Officer: Yes, that does count, as it is a requirement of the application process that you
must also have not have been absent from Australia for more than one year in total during that
four year period.

Mr. Antonio Orlandi: That should be fine as I never go back for longer than a month or so. I
also heard that you have to pass a test to become a citizen of Australia. What’s the pass rate
like?
DIAC Officer: The pass rate? Wow. That… I’m not too sure about. However you should know
that all applicants must pass the citizenship test before they can submit their actual application.

Mr. Antonio Orlandi:  So what’s the format of the test? Exams are such painful things. Could
you give me some examples of the kind of questions that appear on the test?

DIAC Officer: Well, there’s a whole range of different types of questions. Some are relatively
simple and just require common sense to answer. For example, it may ask you where Australia’s
Federal Parliament is located…that’s in Canberra, of course.
(…)
Others – like Australia’s first PM – well, may be trickier. The answer to that one, by the way, is
Sir Edmund Barton. Another difficult one is, “What is Australia’s national flower?” The answer to
that is the golden wattle. Don’t worry – many Australians don’t know that either.

Mr. Antonio Orlandi:  So are there any reference materials available for the test?

DIAC Officer: All the material used in the exam is drawn from the official guide called
“Becoming an Australian Citizen”. You can download it from the department’s website.

Mr. Antonio Orlandi:  That should be no problem. I will try and learn everything by heart.
What mark do I need to get to pass it?

DIAC Officer: A mark of 75% – that’s 15 out of 20 questions correct – is required.

Mr. Antonio Orlandi:  Thanks for your help. One more thing I’d like to ask – is the test
available in Italian?

DIAC Officer: No, I’m afraid the test is only available in English.

I guess we’ll leave it there then.
I wish you all the best with your application.

Mr. Antonio Orlandi: Thank you officer, you have been extremely helpful. Goodbye!