From
15 October 2007, all applicants aged 18 years and over are required
to sign a values statement when applying for selected visas. The
statement requires applicants to confirm that they will respect the
Australian way of life and obey the laws of Australia before being
granted a visa. All provisional, permanent and a small number of
temporary visa applicants are required to have read, or had explained
to them, information provided by the Australian government before
signing the values statement. This information is contained in the
Life in
Australia
book. For temporary visa applicants the Australian Values Statement
is included in the general declaration section on their application
form.
People
currently outside Australia who are applying for a Humanitarian visa
are required to sign the values statement at interview. These
applicants will not be expected to have read the Life
in Australia
book, as the contents of the book will be explained to them at
interview. This different process recognises the difficult
circumstances often faced by Humanitarian visa applicants outside
Australia.
There
is a small group of visas that do not require the Australian Values
Statement. This group includes and is not limited to:
Visitor visas
New Zealand citizens entering Australian on a
special category visa
To
find out more about the Australian Values Statement requirement for a
particular visa:
See:
Values
Statement Visa Selector
What are the Australian values?
Australian values include:
respect for the freedom and dignity of the
individual
equality of men and women
freedom of religion
commitment to the rule of law
support
for Parliamentary democracy
a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces mutual
respect, tolerance, fair play, compassion for those in need and
pursuit of the public good
equal opportunity for individuals, regardless
of their race, religion or ethnic background
Although these values may be expressed
differently by different people, their meaning stays the same. The
values may not be unique to Australia, but they have broad community
agreement and underpin Australian society and culture.
The
Life in Australia
book contains information about Australian history, culture and
social structures, designed to help you understand Australian values
before you sign the values statement on your visa application.
See:
Life
in Australia
book
Australian Values Statement - Provisional and
Permanent
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 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.
Signature of Applicant
Australian Values Statement – Temporary
I will respect Australian values as listed on this form, during my
stay in Australia and will obey the laws of Australia
This
values statement is included in the general declaration section of
the visa application, so signing the application form means that the
values statement has also been signed. These applicants will not be
required to have read the Life
in Australia book
