The number of applicants for Australian citizenship has soared. (photo by Australian newspaper)
According to the Australian newspaper, the number of applicants for Australian citizenship surged after the Australian government tried to tighten naturalization requirements, but the number of applicants in batches fell by nearly half.
As of November last year, the backlog of applications stood at 244431, more than doubled from 106950 in July 2017, according to (Department of Home Affairs, the department of internal affairs.
Previous data showed that a total of 239413 applications for naturalization were submitted in the previous fiscal year, an increase of 17.5 percent from the previous year`s 203793 applications for naturalization of (Citizenship by Conferral).
The number of Australian citizens granted citizenship fell from 139278 to 80649 over the same period, according to another data provided by the Home Office in response to a Senate assessment inquiry to the (Question on Notice).
However, the Home Office said the processing time for naturalization applications has improved in recent months. In the second half of 2018, about 73000 naturalization applications completed (Finalised), up 83 percent from the same period in 2017. Between July and October last year, 39000 applications for naturalization were granted (Approved).
A spokesman for Immigration and Citizenship Minister Gao Min (David Coleman) said: "for legal applicants, the government is committed to making the naturalization system as practical as possible. These efforts are producing good results. "
"A task force has been set up within the Ministry of the Interior to focus on complex citizenship cases and is investing A $900 million in recruiting and training additional staff to ensure that naturalization applications are processed as efficiently as possible."
It is reported that with the increase in the number of naturalization applications, there are more and more naturalization cases with criminal records and identity problems, and the Government`s concern for safety has also increased. A spokesman for Gao Min said a stricter set of integrity standards had been put in place since 2015 to review naturalized applicants.
Burke (Tony Burke), a Labour civil affairs spokesman, said yesterday that the government should be thankful that so many wanted to become Australians. "it is welcome that some people want to pledge allegiance to Australia."
"upon completion of the security review, it is in the interest of both themselves and the country to be sworn in as citizens."
Since 2014, the number of denied naturalization applications has not fluctuated much.
In terms of composition, Indians accounted for the highest percentage of naturalization applications filed in the previous fiscal year, accounting for 20 per cent, followed by Britons (10.7 per cent), Filipinos (6.7 per cent) and Chinese (6.1 per cent), followed by the British (10.7 per cent), the Philippines (6.7 per cent) and the Chinese (6.1 per cent).
Meanwhile, as of Nov. 4, 42600 Indian immigrants, or 17.4 percent of the total, had outstanding applications for naturalization. In addition, applications for naturalization of 23608 British immigrants and 20944 Chinese immigrants remain pending.
And before the surge in naturalization applications, the federal government announced in 2017 a new proposal to tighten naturalization requirements, including additional values tests, enhanced language tests, and extended residency hours for naturalized applicants in Australia, and so on. But not enough support in the Senate. At the end of the same year, the government vowed to re-launch the naturalization reform proposal.
More than 16200 people are expected to be sworn in on National Day
Immigration and Citizenship Minister Ko Man in Australia on National Day (Australia)
"We expect more than 16200 people to attend the oath ceremony on Australia`s National Day this year," Day said on the eve of the ceremony. This year`s number will increase by more than 4000 compared to 2018 National Day, reflecting our commitment to ensuring that citizenship ceremonies are at the top of the nation`s celebrations.
"for all Australians born in Australia or applying for naturalization, Australia`s National Day is a great opportunity for us to unite and celebrate the prosperity of our country." "Australian citizenship is a common bond for all Australians to respect the diversity of Australia," Kao said. It is a privilege and should be granted to those who support our democratic values, respect our laws, and are willing to contribute to the building of a better Australia. "
