Key questions for assessing professionalism in immigration service roles

¶ … professionalism of the job for use by the selection committee, with explanations/Answers. The job is working in an immigration service.

What do you think of the naturalization process? Do you think the process is fair through which an individual becomes a citizen? If you could change anything about the steps individuals must go through before becoming a citizen, what would you change?

The candidate should understand the different steps of the naturalization process, and also be willing to constructively critique or praise various aspects of the process. He or she should also have a clear understanding about arguments to liberalize or tighten various aspects of becoming a citizen.

An Australian national has recently married a foreign-born individual. What should he or she do, and what questions should you ask him or her if the couple comes to you for advice regarding the foreign spouse's immigrant status?

The issue of spousal citizenship may be confusing and it is important that someone employed in an immigration department can answer questions on the subject. The answer is that there is no automatic right to permanent residence or Australian citizenship. "Spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens who become permanent residents before 1 July 2007, should have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for a total of at least two years in the last five years including a total of at least 12 months in the last two years," while after that date the yearly residential requirement increased to four ("Spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens," Australian Government, 2009).

If someone renounced his or her Australian citizenship, can he or she get it back?

In some instances yes: if the individual renounced his or her "Australian citizenship to retain or acquire another citizenship or to avoid significant hardship" ("Resuming Australian citizenship," Australian Government, 2009). However, the definition of significant hardship may be subjective and dependant upon further review. Additionally, if the individual had children under the age of 16 during the time of the renunciation, they too may need to reapply for citizenship.

Recently, the Australian government has taken some measures to curb immigration, such as lengthening the residency requirements for spouses of citizens. Do you think this is a good thing? How can the government balance the needs of current residents with the need to have a society that is open to an influx of new peoples and new ideas?

Candidates should understand both sides of the immigration debate. Candidates should understand the positives and the negatives of immigration from the point-of-view of society, particularly in the context of the current economic environment. Tolerance of new peoples and pragmatism to the needs of Australians is warranted.