Australia’s Value Statement made mandatory for visa applicants

Australia has updated its Values Statement with the focus on values like freedom, equality, respect, and the rule of law reinforced. Also, it’s now made mandatory for applicants for new Australian visas to sign or accept the updated Values Statement.

The declaration that is signed by Australian citizenship applicants during the application process has also been subjected to revision. The revised version reflects the wordings of the new Australian Values Statement.

With this change, there will now be one Value Statement for both permanent and temporary visa applicants. It confirms that the applicants understand the Australian values, its people, and their way of life. The aim is to enable immigrants to be able to fully take part in the community they become part of in Australia.

The Australian Citizenship Test incorporating a stronger focus on Australian values will come into effect on November 15, 2020.

Who must sign the Australian Values Statement?

Most visa applicants: all provisional, some temporary visa applicants, and permanent must sign the Values Statement. The applicants must be aged 18 years or above. By signing or accepting the values Statement, the applicant:

• Acknowledges Australian values
• Undertakes to adhere to these values and conduct themselves in accordance with them

However, few types of visa applicants are exempted from accepting or signing the Values Statement or accepting it. Theyinclude applicants for an Australian visitor visa among certain other types of temporary visas. New Zealand nationals entering the country on a special category visa are also exempted.

The values in the Values Statement

• Respect for an individual’s freedom and dignity
• Freedom of association, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion (including the freedom to follow no particular religion)
• Commitment to the rule of law
• Parliamentary democracy which means thelaws, paramount and overriding any religious or secular laws, are determined by parliaments elected by the people
• Equality of opportunity for all people no matter what their gender, age, sexual orientation, race, disability, or national or ethnic origin
• Emphasis on all that embrace tolerance, mutual respect, compassion for those in need,and equality of opportunity for all
• Treat the English language as the national language, and as a major unifying element of Australian society

Those who are currently offshore and making a visa application for a Humanitarian visa must sign the Statement during an interview. Applicants submitting a paper application must sign the value Statement. Those who apply for a visa online must agree to the undertaking of the Value Statement.

If dependants are involved in the purview of application, the main applicant will have to agree that those dependents have been advised of and that they also agree to adhere to the Australian Values Statement.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Australia, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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