The Australian Department of Home Affairs has clarified the categories of foreign nationals who may qualify for an assisted citizenship test instead of the standard examination.
Who Qualifies for Assisted Citizenship Tests?
- Applicants who request assistance during their citizenship application process.
- Individuals with low literacy skills who have completed at least 400 hours of English tuition under the Adult Migrant English Programme (AMEP).
- Persons with permanent or temporary physical or cognitive impairments that prevent them from taking the standard test, even with facilitator support.
The Department independently verifies the AMEP participation hours submitted by applicants, so there is no need for applicants to contact their AMEP providers directly.
Understanding the 400-Hour AMEP Requirement
The AMEP is a federally funded program offering English language tuition to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants in Australia. Depending on the study schedule, completing 400 hours can take:
- Approximately six to nine months for full-time learners attending 15 to 20 hours weekly.
- Over a year for part-time learners attending up to 15 hours per week.
Additional Citizenship Fee Concessions
Separately, the Department has also identified three groups eligible for a full waiver of the citizenship application fee, provided applications are submitted on paper rather than online. Holders of Australian Government-issued Pensioner Concession Cards may also qualify for discounted fees under specific concession schemes.
