Applicants of permanent and temporary visas are required to sign an Australian Values Statement (“the Values Statement”) under changes to the Migration Regulations 1994 (“the Regulations”) that came into effect on the 15th October, 2007.
The Australian Values Statement followed the announcement of the Prime Minister and the Former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs on the 11 December 2006 of plans to introduce the new visa requirement.
The changes have been introduced by the Australian government to encourage new residents to learn about Australia’s heritage, language, customs, values and way of life prior to becoming Australian citizens.
What is the Australian Values Statement?
The Values Statement includes representations that the applicant will respect Australian values and will comply with Australian law for the duration of their stay in Australia.
Visa applicants over the age of eighteen years will be required to sign the Values Statement when applying for selected visas confirming that they will respect Australian values and obey the laws of Australia before being granted a visa.
The Values Statement is included in the application forms for permanent visas and in the general declarations section for affected temporary visas.
What does the Australian Values Statement say?
The values statement included in the application form is as follows:
I confirm that I have read, or had explained to me, information provided by the Australian government on Australian society and values.
I understand:
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Australian society values respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, Parliamentary democracy, equality of men and women and a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and compassion for those in need and pursuit of the public good.
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Australian society values equality of opportunity for individuals, regardless of their race, religion or ethnic background.
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The English language, as the national language, is an important unifying element of Australian society.
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I undertake to respect these values of Australian society during my stay in Australia and to obey the laws of Australia.
I understand that, if I should seek to become an Australian citizen:
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Australian citizenship is a shared identity, a common bond which unites all Australians while respecting their diversity.
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Australian citizenship involves reciprocal rights and responsibilities. The responsibilities of Australian citizenship include obeying Australian laws, including those relating to voting at elections and serving on a jury.
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If I meet the legal qualifications for becoming an Australian citizen and my application is approved I understand that I would have to pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people."
What material is the applicant required to read?
The applicant is required to read, or have explained to them, material made available by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship contained in the “Life in Australia” publication prior to signing the Values Statement on the visa application form.
The “Life in Australia” publication has been made available for download from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website as well as in printed form and audio-visual format. The publication is available in twenty-nine languages.
In addition, applicants who are illiterate are able to have the contents of the publication explained by a friend, relative, sponsor or their migration agent.
Which visa applicants are required to sign the Australian Values Statement?
Different Values Statements have been introduced dependent upon the visa being applied for by the applicant and include the following:
(a) Provisional, permanent and some temporary visa applicants are required to read or have explained to them the “Life in Australia” publication prior to signing the Values Statement.
(b) The majority of temporary visa applications will have the Values Statement included in the general declaration section of the application form.
(c) Applicants outside Australia applying for a Humanitarian visa will be required to sign the Values Statement at their interview after the contents of the publication have been explained to them by their interviewee.
What applicants are exempt from signing the Australian Values Statement?
The following visa applicants are not required to sign the Values Statement:
(a) Applicants applying for a Visitor visa; and
(b) New Zealand citizens entering Australia on a special category visa.