At AustralianTest.com we are happy to announce the re-launch of our Training packages with new features and a more accessible price and format for our customers.

We are moving to a three packages option to address your needs. It is known to us that many of our customers purchase our package to round up the study process and just a few days. This is why we developed a limited timeframe package to address this need.

Now you will be able to choose between a Light, a Basic and a Complete training package to help you prepare for the Australian Citizenship Test. Each package contains different features to assist you in your study.

The Light Package is a fast and fun kit that will give you access to the study guide, a PDF containing questions, tests by chapter and also allow you to run 5 real test simulations. This package holds the most relevant 200 questions for the citizenship test. The Light Package can be used for three days after the first log in, designed for our customers that like to keep things simple.

Our Basic Package is what we call intensive citizenship training. Made from 300 questions that will most likely appear on your test, it gives you the chance to cover the whole material in just a few steps. The Basic Kit includes 10 real test simulations, by chapter and custom tests and our brand new feature “History Test”.

History Test is the result of our customer feedback suggestions and a deep analysis of the citizenship examination. This is the best way to walk you through the important dates and years in the study guide and help you memorize them successfully.

The Basic Package also provides the customer with a complete result analysis and a completion certificate. It is also designed for our new generation customers allowing them to study on their Mobile Device! The Basic Kit is valid for 7 days after the registration is completed.

Finally we offer the Complete Package for our most demanding customers. The complete Kit is the best choice if you want to study from scratch and manage your own time. With unlimited usage time and real test simulations, a deep result analysis and a 400 question database the Complete Kit represents the best training option. You will have access to all of our features including History Test, mobile Training, iPod Version, Gap Detector and an audio Version.

The Complete Kit also includes Daily Test feature. We will send you a 20 questions test every day to your email address so you don’t forget to practice and train for the citizenship test. We also offer Local Support Groups where you can communicate with people from your same residence area that are preparing for the test just like you.

Find the best training choice for your needs and let us be part of your journey towards Australian citizenship.

All active cabbies will have to reapply for their licence in order to drive a taxi in the Australian soil. The measure is intended to address the problematic many citizens are raising for the past 10 years. It is ever day story that a taxi driver does not understand simple English and cannot follow basic directions. Sometimes practiced as an advantage to over charge a drive or avoid a ticket.

The test was originally intended for foreign Taxi drivers in Australia, however the Queensland Transportation office made it official for all drivers. The result was a 21% failing rate over a 864 tests. The figures talk by themselves. It is just a matter of time for Australia to include such test in other scenarios.

Don’t be surprised when a language test is included in the naturalization application or even for settlement purposes. Remember that the UK has a test applicable for every immigrant with intentions of settlement; this many times include residence and work permits and visas. How many times have we seen Australia copying regulations from mother England?

What is next? A Life in Australia Test for all settlers and a possible Online English for Speakers of Other Language course… 21% failing rate is a large number.

Clifford Tucker, 47 has been deported from Australian soil after been rejected citizenship on character grounds. His parents moved from the UK 40 years ago with the 6 years old Clifford. Father of three Mr Tucker was convicted to a 12 year sentence in the Australian Penitentiary system back in 1983. In 2009 he committed an assault to a police officer and sentenced ones again.

Mr Tucker stated that he never thought of citizenship since he felt Australian after 40 years of living in the country. He also stated that is not fair separating him from his family after that long and this feels like a double punishment for his crime.

“The Federal Government is saying because I committed a crime in 1999 and then committed another crime in 2008… I haven’t changed… and that’s completely wrong,” Mr Tucker said in an interview.

Australian Government responsibility is to ensure safety to the community. In this case Mr Tucker failed one of the basic requirements for Visa and citizenship thus needed to be deported to his home nation, the UK.

“I’ve done so much to try and improve myself – going to drug and alcohol [rehabilitation], receiving medical assistance when I needed it, off my own bat, not drinking, doing voluntary work, trying to help people. And yet they’re trying to make me out to be some sort of career criminal that’s a danger to society.” Mr Tucker said.

Three police officers and a citizenship and immigration officer escorted Mr Tucker o the UK with 2.400 Australian Dollars and a 6 week lease in a pension. Mr Tucker has no way to sustain himself after 12 years of conviction and a bad character history. His only resource would be the ex prisoners associations in the UK. The contact with his family has been severed and limited to a phone call or mail. Tucker family is worried he might commit suicide in the next few weeks. Alone in a country strange to him…

Is this justice? Mrs Tucker has no Australian citizenship, just a permanent residency status. Will he be able to apply for a Visa in a few years? For a citizen the story would have been different. Australia is responsible for the good of bad character of its citizens regardless of their crimes. One of Australian citizenship many values.

This regulation started a sort of a fight with Immigration and citizenship ministry and the religious community. Australia is proud to announce its freedom of speech and religion for all Australians, then why was such a regulation even created? What holds a church of going to a citizenship ceremony and give holy bibles away as gifts to the new citizens?

The citizenship ceremony is the final step in the naturalization process. It is a moment of joy and commitment where the new citizens embrace the Australian way and responsibilities. It is only normal that a citizen will find himself inclined to remember their faith. There is no better way to do so than by taking or getting a holy book with you, not only the Bible but the Tora, Koran or the Tibetan book of Dead if wanted.

This same predicament was exposed to the DIAC when the rule was enforced back in 2008. Last monday immigration and citizenship minister Chris Bowen announced moved to clear up the confusion regarding the rule from the citizenship ceremony code. Australian government remains not approving the distribution of holy books as official gift by the organizers of the ceremony, however the attendant and other institutions are free to join the ceremony share books with the attendants. By no means the holy books are banned from the ceremony, the new citizens have the possibility to have the pledge sciptured on them are more than welcome.

Words in the wind….

This is the most important question the country wants to answer. Word came from New Delhi in the hands of the minister of state for external affaires S M Krishna “Among the causes there is the constant attack to the Indian population in Australian Grounds”.

Australia is one of the countries that regards themselves as multicultural and tolerant of others ideologies and races, then why is it that the 30% of the Indian population is choosing other countries over Australia? Why is it that the UK and Canada is getting the remaining traffic?

The Skilled and student VISA has been a very important source of income for Australia. A foreign student applying for one of these visas will have a scholarship with an university generating income for the whole sector. With this we are not saying that the Australian population is not collaborating, what we are stating is the obvious, a student that comes to the country to study will activate a number of resources the country needs. He will need to pay a rent, buy food, take the bus and study. He might even have a temporary job. At this point this is crucial since the global financial crisis has resulted in the ongoing closure of Universities creating uncertainty in the stability of the Australian Education system and the rising of the Australian dollar. Both realities are mining the Indian Students faith in Australia and their future in our country.

But what about the fact that the Indian Population is being attacked? Australian citizenship values does not support such action. The indian people is not aggressive at any level, if something they are always respectful and helping. They make awesome workers and easy going job partners. They are dedicated and respect other people believes. Not all of them are religious and even if they are Australia is proud to state that is a free country where all religions can be practiced.

What is our government doing about this then? The minister of external affairs assured the Indian government that measures will be taken proactively by Australia to ensure the Indian population safety. More police will be destined to public transportation and the punishment for violations to the Indian community will be more severe.

Is this really a solution for the problem? Putting more force in the public transportation and threatening offenders with severe punishment? Is that the best we can do as a conscious society? This is unacceptable for our very own children, what will come next? The army on the streets to protect us from ourselves? This problem needs to be addressed in the proper manner: INTEGRATION. Make people aware that Australia is an open country for many cultures and that our future relays in how well we adapt to the global changes the world is suffering these days. Discrimination and violence was never a solution to the worlds evolution, and never will be.

Their neighbors and friends talked about the Gonzalez family as a great example of Australian integration. Gonzalez family came from Nicaragua looking for a better life and a just system that could give them comfort and a future. They entered the country as part of a skilled worker program in 2003. Two years later the family, Mr Gonzalez, Yanina and their daughter Luz, where granted permanent residency in the state of Victoria. Around 9 months the family decided Australia was their new identity and attempted Australian Citizenship.

Mr Gonzalez told us the citizenship test was a real challenge for them since they both work all day and have little time to spend in between their daughter Luz, school and the house. However they successfully passed the citizenship test and where ready to be called for the Oath ceremony. Mr Gonzalez, devastated as he was had completely forgotten about his possible citizenship when He received a call of both the police officer in charged of the investigation and a DIAC officer.

Australia was granting not only him and his daughter but also his wife with Australian citizenship as a sign f respect and appreciation for an example family. “The DIAC officer was very touching on the phone and advised that we where expected at a special ceremony with the judge and senator con commemorate our family citizenship” said Mr Gonzalez. He was truly honored to have his wife granted citizenship even in death, her last wish was fulfilled in honor, belonging was something she cherished in her heart after departing from Nicaragua.

The murder of Yanina Gonzalez might never be resolved but she won’t pass unknown trough our minds as a Nicaraguan murdered in Perth but a true Aussie victim of a tragedy that involves all of us. On my personal opinion I have rarely seen such gesture from the Australian Government. It makes me happy to know we have such great principles, that we value life over crisis or immigration policies. It is a real relief.

For newcomers to Australia, this population diversity is bound to contribute to a sense of an open and welcoming community, though it can be especially important for promoting and supporting the modern multi-national family within Australia. There are many types of multi-national families that may be created in the country, from new citizens hailing from foreign lands who meet their partners in Australia and form new unions, to families that have and raise children in Australia, resulting in offspring who may be curious about their family’s ethnic origins but who self-identify as Aussies. The possibilities for diversity within families are nearly endless, and Australians are known for their openness to this diversity ña quality that newcomers are sure to find comforting as they adjust to their new lives and think about their complex identity.

An especially important consideration for multi-nationals within Australia is the preservation, if desired, of former languages, traditions, contacts, and other elements from their previous homes, especially when children are involved. Though it can be exciting as well as practical to jump head-first into the spirit and culture of Australia, it is also sometimes important to retain certain aspects of one’s former citizenship, and each new citizen must go through the process of preserving as needed. Parents who want their children to feel at home both in Australia and in their former country can help create a sense of dual-patriotism, one that is likely to be supported by others within the community.

Moving to a new country and becoming a citizen can be a daunting process, especially for families of any size that may feel singled out because of their multi-national status. After experiencing the diversity of Australia, however, citizens who take the Australian citizenship test and complete the other steps necessary for official status can find a warm reception and genuine curiosity about the experience and challenges of being multi-national. Just as many of the first modern Australians were faced with such multi-nationality, modern migrants can find that the country is an accommodating place to express and encourage diversity in the family.

Among many other organizations in Australia we got the chance to talk with Katy, one of the members of Settlement Program at Whittlesea Community Connections. This program is dedicated to teack english and citizenship courses for free to refugees. Katy is one of the weekend teachers that work at the center adonorem to help these people get a better life. “With citizenship comes job, education for their children, integration, community activities and the knowledge that they won’t be deported at the first angry face they get.” Said Katy.

The Settlement Program shows that more than the half of refugees that took the citizenship test failed in the first intent. “Is difficult to find a proficient english speaker for starts, many of them can’t read it and haven’t had much education in their country” Katy explained. From the 2010 results the Program shows a 49% passing rate among refugees. Other problem is that when they fail the get so scared to be deported that they never show up to retakes.

Australia is evaluating the possibility of changing the citizenship test for a course this sector of society could take. English classes, speaking, writing and reading with civic content to prepare refugees to face a smaller test or a series of small tests by chapters to get them through the citizenship testing stage. In many ways this will encourage them to blend in to the Australian society and become Citizens.

These people is desperate to become citizens and are failing because an infrastructure is not supporting them or giving them courage to face the citizenship test. They are also scared to be deported and feel discriminated. When the truth is that we took them from their homes, where danger was, to Australia. We waned to help them. So lets help them all the way through. If a refugee is not getting support to past the test and become an Australian Citizen, means that we are doing something wrong.

One of the principal uses for a family album is to stay in touch with old faces and memories, and an Australian immigrant family’s album is sure to be filled with thoughts and feelings about old friends, extended family members, favorite entertainment venues or dishes, holiday celebrations, and other outstanding elements of life in a previous country. In many respects, this warm reminder of previous life experiences can help ease some of the homesickness that can affect immigrants, and can enable children to maintain a greater sense of their national identity and personal background. Though the process of creating a family album may be emotionally difficult, it is often able to help soothe psychological stress and provide considerable comfort in times of need.

When immigrant families decide to become truly Australian by applying for citizenship, they are able to add a new and exciting chapter to their family album ñone that helps solidify their status and can make the merging of distinct cultures and practices more fluid. Families may wish to make a special event out of the granting of citizenship itself, creating a memorable entry in their family album that goes beyond the basics of citizenship paperwork to lend a personal touch to the accomplishment. No matter how the fact of new citizenship is represented in a family album, its inclusion can go a long way towards telling the story of a family’s journey ñboth to the family itself through the generations and to other Australians who may be curious about different lands and experiences distinct from their own. Whether physical or kept safely in the imagination, a family album can be a great way to integrate new Australian citizenship into the memories and special moments of a family that has invested itself in the Australian nation and its people.

Most migrants who journey to Australia are interested in working within the country, either in a new field or as part of an on-going profession. Australia’s wide range of jobs in every sector means there’s often a variety of work opportunities available, and finding the right fit, though possibly requiring a bit of patience at first, is likely to be a successful endeavor. In service-oriented fields, new Australians can quickly learn a lot about the local people and their way of life by interacting with customers and collaborating on problem-solving tasks. Even in less public positions, however, workers are bound to discover much about Australia’s way of life as they get to know their coworkers and observe them on the job.

Interactions aren’t limited to the workplace, of course, and new citizens will find potential friendships at every turn as they meet with new people and share the experience of being Australian. Through seeking out groups oriented towards immigrants and new citizens in particular or by simply joining clubs and societies that cover personal interests such as literature, arts, sports, or other subjects, new citizens can find other Australians with whom to enjoy the country and its surroundings.

Australia is largely composed of the spirit and personality of its people, but the land itself is also an important component of the country. Exploring some of the national landmarks can help new citizens feel more connected to their new home, and visitors to the interior, the coast, or any area in Australia will be treated to stunning visual beauty. Visiting new landmarks and natural features is also likely to produce a greater knowledge of Australia’s history, contributing to a greater sense of understanding and belonging.

Those anticipating the Australian citizenship test and the process of becoming an Australian may envision life in the country in a certain way, or may not know how to characterize daily life at all. Once the test has been passed and citizenship is official, however, new citizens can learn first-hand what it means to live in the nation as an Aussie and how the experience of being an Aussie can influence and improve their lives.