Can you listen to the questions in the Australian citizenship test?

Can you listen to the questions in the Australian citizenship test?

Yes. The test computers and tablets come with headsets, and a person who cannot read English well may pick the option to hear each question.

The test is still in English. You hear the questions in English instead of reading them.

What does the listening option do?

It helps if reading is the hard part for you. You put on the headset and listen to a question, then choose your answer on the screen. Home Affairs does not give more detail on how the audio works, so we cannot tell you whether it also reads out the answer choices. Practise as if you will need to understand both the question and the choices by ear.

It does not give you more time, and the pages we read do not say it translates anything, so expect English. Everyone has 45 minutes unless they are offered the Assisted Test.

Who can sit the Assisted Test?

The Assisted Test has 90 minutes instead of 45. It is not for everyone. Home Affairs may offer it if you asked for help with the test in your application and:

• you completed at least 400 hours of English tuition under the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), or
• on the day of the test you have an impairment that leaves you needing extra time, even after staff help.

The word "may" matters. The offer is up to Home Affairs. If one of these fits you, say so when you apply, so it is on your application before the appointment.

How do you ask for help?

There are two moments.

Before the day, tell Home Affairs what you need. The pages say to let them know if you need help to read the computer screen or to use the equipment, including the tablet. Do this early, not at the door.

On the day, nobody may come in to help you with the test. If you need help during the test, raise your hand.

Interviews work differently. For some people who go to an interview instead of the test, a family member or support person can come along, and Home Affairs can arrange an interpreter. Our guide to the citizenship interview explains this.

How do you prepare if you will listen?

Listening is a different skill from reading. Practise it before the day.

• Listen to the Our Common Bond podcast from Home Affairs. It covers the same ideas as the booklet.
• Read the booklet while you listen, so the English words and sounds match.
• Learn the sound of words like "Parliament", "Governor-General" and "referendum".
• Practise careful listening for small words such as "not" and "except". They change an answer. See trap words.

For a first practice, use our free practice test with a text-to-speech tool on your own device if you have one. It helps you hear question wording before the day. It is practice only, and it does not copy the real test setup.

Next step

Decide now whether you want to listen on the day. If yes, check that your application asks for help, then listen to the podcast for a week before your appointment.