Does the new citizenship test ask for university-level standard of English?
As part of the proposed overhaul of Australia’s citizenship test, the Federal Government wants to introduce a tougher new English language competency test.
The changes outline state “aspiring citizens” will be required to "undertake separate upfront English language testing with an accredited provider and achieve a minimum level of ‘competent’."
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said in a press release that applicants will need to reach a threshold for elements of reading, writing, listening and speaking, that is the equivalent of level 6 of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Tony Burke, the Opposition spokesman for citizenship and multicultural Australia, claims the new language test would demand the same level of English proficiency that is required for university admission, a standard he said was too stringent.
"The Howard government introduced a test, which we supported when they introduced it. It's a test that is in English. You basically need to have conversational-level English to be able to pass it and that is reasonable. What the Government is now demanding is university-level English. Now, that's ridiculous,” he said on the ABC's Insiders program on June 25.
Mr Dutton dismissed the claims, so who is correct? Does the proposed English language test demand a university-level standard of English?
The RMIT ABC Fact Check investigated the claims, finding that Mr Burke’s claims are correct.
Language testing experts have confirmed that the applicants sitting the new test would need to meet a standard equivalent to university entrants.
The IELTS measures the language proficiency of people who want to study or work in English-speaking countries, running from a band score one (non-English speakers) to band score nine (expert).
According to the IELTS official site, there are two types of IELTS tests: Academic and General Training.
The General Training type focuses on broader social and workplace contexts, generally considered easier than the Academic type, which is for people apply for higher education or professional registration.
Take a look at the scale here:
Currently, international students in Australia who want to study full-time in a recognised education institution, need an overall IELTS score of 5.5 for Academic type. Most universities, however, set their requirement to an overall score of 6.5.
International linguistics expert Professor Tim McNamara, at the University of Melbourne, who was involved in the creation of IELTS, told Fact Check: "The level that is required in the reforms is the same level that many university courses in Australia require for entry."
He added, "The tasks (in the academic and general streams) are different but the standard required is the same.
"It doesn't matter if you take one or the other — people sometimes take the academic one for immigration purposes. But the level to pass is identical."