The focus of the test will be on Australia’s values, history, traditional and national symbols. Information people will need to know to answer the test questions will be included in a resource book which is being developed to help people prepare for citizenship.

The test will:

* be computer based
* consist of around 20 multiple choice questions drawn randomly from a large pool of confidential questions
* include three mandatory questions on the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship
* be in English.

The pass mark will be 60 per cent including answering the three mandatory questions correctly. People will need to sit and pass the test before lodging their citizenship application.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship will oversee the development of the test questions. He is looking to use experts to develop questions designed to demonstrate knowledge of the information contained in the citizenship resource book.