You must sign this statement if you are aged 18 years or over.
I confirm that I have read, or had explained to me, information provided by the Australian Government on
Australian society and values.
I understand:
Australian society values respect for the freedom • eedom 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.
• Australian society values equality of opportunity for individuals, regardless of their race, religion or
ethnic background.
• The English language, as the national language, is an important unifying element of Australian society.
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:
• Australian citizenship is a shared identity, a common bond which unites all Australians while respecting
their diversity.
• 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.
• 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.

Immigration has always been an important element in Australia’s nation building. Settlers started arriving in Australia from 1788.

An average of about 50 000 migrants arrived in Australia each year during the gold rush era in the mid–19th century. Migration to Australia continued in subsequent years, reflecting the economic and social conditions in Australia and elsewhere.

Most of the early migrants were from Britain and Ireland and their Anglo–Celtic heritage was the basis of the new nation.

At the end of World War II, millions of people in Europe were displaced from their homelands. At the same time, there was an acute shortage of labour in Australia and a growing belief that significant population growth was essential for the country’s future.

These and other factors led to the creation of a federal immigration department in 1945. The department, under various names, has existed continuously since then.
By 1947, an immigration boom was under way with a large and growing number of arrivals, including many who had arrived on government–assisted passages. Most of these migrants were from Europe, due to the ‘White Australia’ policy, which restricted migration from many parts of the world from Federation in 1901 until
the early 1970s.

Many of the 6.5 million people who have come to Australia since 1945 were motivated by a commitment to family, or a desire to escape poverty, war or persecution. They were determined to establish a new life for themselves and their families and were willing to work hard to make the most of their opportunities. For example, more than 100 000 migrants from 30 countries worked on the Snowy Mountains Scheme, a huge hydro–electric power generating project in Australia’s southern alps. The project took 25 years to complete, from 1949 until 1974.

By the mid–1970s, earlier restrictions on the entry of non–Europeans had been progressively removed and since then, Australia’s immigration policy has been non–discriminatory. An individual’s ethnic origin, sex, race or religion plays no part in determining their eligibility for a visa.