Australian Visa: Australian Values Statement

For most applicants for immigration to Australia , the government requires a signed values statement. It is a way to encourage the new residents to learn about the country's culture, heritage, language, customs, values and way of life.

Since October 15, 2007, the government has been mandating all Australia visa applicants from 18 years old and above to sign a values statement as part of their application. This statement requires applicants to confirm that they will obey all laws and respect the Australian way of life.

There are two types of values statements. The first type is for those applying for provisional, permanent and a small number of temporary Australia Visa. This is included in the application form. They must have read the Life in Australia from the Australian government before signing the statement. If a person is unable to read the book himself/herself, it may be explained to them instead.

The second type of values statement is for all other temporary Australian visas. It is included in the general declaration section of the application form.

Applicants for a Humanitarian visa are required to sign the values statement at the interview. With the difficult circumstances of applicants for this visa for Australia , it is understandable that they may not be able to read the Life in Australia book prior to application. Its contents will be explained to the applicant during signing.

Only a small group of visas do not required the Australian Values Statement and these are visas for visitors and for New Zealand citizens entering under a special category visa.

The values statement needs to be lodged for each and every visa application that requires it. If you are changing your visa from one type to another, and both require values statements, you need to file a new one even if you've already submitted your values statement from your previous visa application.