Potential migrants will be covertly investigated to test how likely they are to integrate into Australian society under a shakeup of immigration laws, it has been revealed.
Analysts will look at how likely a person is to commit to Western beliefs of gender equality, freedom of speech and freedom of religion before they leave their home country, according to Home Affairs Secretary Michael Pezzullo.
They will then be subjected to two further rounds of tests after they arrive in Australia and when they apply for citizenship, Mr Pezzullo added.
Anyone looking to migrate to Australia will be subjected to three layers of checks, including covert analysis to determine how likely they are to integrate (file image)
The measures are aimed at helping to weedle out extremists and make sure people are not lying when they take their citizenship exam.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Pezzullo said: ‘Prior to you even getting citizenship, before you even migrate, the government is looking at how do you make an assessment using intelligence, using all sources of information.
The plans are being proposed by Home Affairs Secretary Michael Pezzullo and are being considered by the government
‘(Citizenship) can’t simply be a test. You also have to link other data sources in to look at lived behaviour and experience.
‘There will be three assessment points; before they get here, while they are here and then when they apply for citizenship.’
Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge later gave the example of failing to stand for a judge as evidence that a person is unlikely to integrate.
He added that the proposed changes will also feature a strengthening of the English language requirement.
The new assessment is not yet law and is still being considered by the government.
As of June 30, 2016, more than a quarter of Australia’s population was born overseas, according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Between 2015 and 2016, net overseas migration meant almost 200,000 more people living in the country.
Of the foreigners living in this country, by far the greatest number had come from the UK, followed by New Zealand, China and then India.