By Seattle pi

Australia plans to tighten its citizenship rules to require higher English language skills, longer residency and evidence of integration such as a job, officials said Thursday.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the new citizenship test would reflect Australian values instead of the current multiple-choice format.

"This will be good for the applicants, good for the nation, underlining our Australian values at the very heart of Australian citizenship," Turnbull told reporters.

"This is not about administration. This is about allegiance and commitment to Australian values," he added.