About the citizenship test
The citizenship test checks your English and what you know about Australia, Australian citizenship and Australian values. Most people applying for citizenship by conferral who are 18 to 59 years old are invited to sit it. Other applicants may have an interview instead.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 20, chosen at random |
| Question type | Multiple choice, on a computer |
| Time limit | 45 minutes |
| Pass mark | At least 15 of 20 (75%) |
| Values questions | 5 questions on Australian values; you must get all 5 right |
| Language | English only |
| Study book | Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond (testable section) |
The values rule is important. Even if you score 19 out of 20, you do not pass if one of the wrong answers is a values question. Values questions have been part of the test since 15 November 2020.
Bring original photo ID to your appointment, such as a passport, an Australian driver licence or an Australian proof of age card. Certified copies and photos of ID are not accepted.
Part 1: Australia and its people
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were the first people in Australia. Their cultures and traditions are the oldest continuous cultures in the world. Aboriginal people come from mainland Australia and Tasmania. Torres Strait Islander people come from the islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea.
Their deep connection to the land is shown through stories, art and dance. There are more than 100 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. After the 1967 Referendum, when more than 90 per cent of voters said Yes, they were counted in official population figures.
Key dates in history
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1788 | The First Fleet of 11 ships arrived from Great Britain on 26 January. Captain Arthur Phillip became the first Governor of New South Wales, the first British colony. |
| 1851 | The gold rush began in New South Wales and Victoria. Chinese migrants were the first large group from outside Europe. The population more than doubled in 10 years. |
| 1901 | On 1 January the colonies joined to form the Commonwealth of Australia (Federation). |
| 1915 | On 25 April the Anzacs landed at Gallipoli in Türkiye during World War I. |
| After 1945 | Many Europeans who had lost their homelands after World War II made new lives in Australia. Later, people came from all over the world. |
| 1967 | A referendum allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be counted in the Census. |
Britain sent convicts to New South Wales because its jails were too full. Early free settlers came mainly from Great Britain and Ireland, and this shaped Australia's culture and politics. English is the national language.
States, territories and capitals
| State or territory | Capital | Remember |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Sydney | First British colony; largest city |
| Victoria | Melbourne | Smallest mainland state |
| Queensland | Brisbane | Second-largest state; Great Barrier Reef |
| Western Australia | Perth | Largest state |
| South Australia | Adelaide | Wine regions such as the Barossa Valley |
| Tasmania | Hobart | Smallest state; across Bass Strait |
| Australian Capital Territory | Canberra | National capital; Parliament House and the High Court |
| Northern Territory | Darwin | Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon |
Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country
- A Welcome to Country is given by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local area. It often opens an event and can include songs, dances or a smoking ceremony.
- An Acknowledgement of Country can be given by anyone, often the chair or master of ceremonies, to show respect for Traditional Custodians and Elders.
National symbols and days
| Symbol | What to know |
|---|---|
| Australian National Flag | Blue, white and red. Union Jack (British settlement), the seven-pointed Commonwealth Star (six states plus the territories) and the Southern Cross. |
| Australian Aboriginal Flag | Black (Aboriginal peoples), red (the earth) and a yellow circle (the sun). |
| Torres Strait Islander Flag | Green (land), blue (sea), black lines (the people) and a white dancer's headdress (all Torres Strait Islanders) with a white star. |
| Commonwealth Coat of Arms | A shield for the six states and Federation, held up by a kangaroo and an emu, with golden wattle behind it. |
| National flower | Golden wattle |
| National colours | Green and gold |
| National gemstone | Opal |
| National anthem | Advance Australia Fair |
Important days
- Australia Day, 26 January: marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. It is a public holiday everywhere. Many citizenship ceremonies are held, and the Australian of the Year Awards are announced.
- Anzac Day, 25 April: remembers the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landing at Gallipoli in 1915, and honours all Australians who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping.
Part 2: Democratic beliefs and freedoms
Australia is a parliamentary democracy. Power comes from the people, who vote for representatives in parliament. Representatives answer to the people at elections.
- Rule of law: everyone is equal under the law, and no person, group or religious rule is above it. Leaders and police must obey the law too.
- Living peacefully: change comes through discussion, peaceful persuasion and voting, never violence.
- Respect for all: everyone should be treated with dignity whatever their race, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion or wealth.
Freedoms and their limits
| Freedom | What it allows | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Speech and expression | Saying and writing what you think, criticising the government, peaceful protest, art, film and music | You must obey the law and respect others' freedom of speech |
| Association | Joining or leaving lawful groups such as parties, unions and religious or social groups | No one can be forced to join; gatherings must be peaceful and lawful |
| Religion | Following any religion or none; Australia has no official religion | Religious practice must obey Australian law; Australian law prevails |
The government is secular: it is separate from churches and other religious bodies. Australia has a Judaeo-Christian heritage, and Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day are public holidays.
Equality and a fair go
Men and women have equal rights, and discriminating against someone because of their gender is against the law. A fair go means equal opportunity: what you achieve should come from your talent, work and effort, not your wealth or background.
Responsibilities and privileges
| Responsibilities (you must) | Privileges (you can) |
|---|---|
| Obey the laws of Australia | Vote in federal and state or territory elections and referendums |
| Vote in federal and state or territory elections and referendums | Apply for children born overseas to become citizens by descent |
| Defend Australia should the need arise | Apply for jobs in the Australian Public Service or the Australian Defence Force |
| Serve on a jury if called | Seek election to parliament |
| Get an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely | |
| Ask for consular help from an Australian official overseas |
- Voting is compulsory for citizens aged 18 or over in federal and state or territory elections and referendums.
- A referendum is a vote to change the Constitution.
- Joining the Defence Force is voluntary.
- A jury is a group of ordinary citizens who hear the evidence and decide if a person is guilty. Citizens on the electoral roll can be called.
- To stand for parliament you must be a citizen aged 18 or over and not a dual citizen.
- Paying tax is a legal duty. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) collects it, and it pays for services like health care, education, defence, roads and social security.
The pledge
At the citizenship ceremony new citizens make a pledge of commitment. They pledge loyalty to Australia and its people, promise to share their democratic beliefs, respect their rights and liberties, and uphold and obey their laws. Each person can choose whether to include the words under God.
Part 3: The Constitution and system of government
The Australian Constitution is the legal document that sets out the basic rules for government. It started on 1 January 1901. It set up the Commonwealth Parliament and the High Court of Australia, which has the final say on interpreting Australian law.
The Constitution can only be changed by a referendum. A change needs a double majority: a majority of voters across the nation, and a majority of voters in a majority of states (at least four of the six).
Separation of powers
| Power | Who holds it | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Legislative | Parliament | Makes and changes laws |
| Executive | Prime Minister, ministers, Cabinet, Governor-General | Puts laws into practice and runs departments |
| Judicial | Judges and courts | Interpret and apply the law, independently |
Constitutional monarchy
Australia is a constitutional monarchy. The King of Australia is Head of State but must act according to the Constitution and has no day-to-day role. The Governor-General represents the King in Australia and is appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Governor-General stays neutral, signs Bills into law (Royal Assent), approves the appointment of ministers and judges, starts the process for federal elections and is Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force.
Each state has a Governor who represents the King. In the Northern Territory an Administrator has a similar role.
| Title | Leads or represents |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister | The Australian Government |
| Premier | A state government |
| Chief Minister | A territory government |
| Mayor or Shire President | A local council |
| Governor-General / Governor | The King, in Australia / in a state |
Parliament, elections and levels of government
The two Houses
- House of Representatives (Lower House, the People's House): over 150 members, each representing one electorate. Bigger states have more members.
- Senate (Upper House, House of Review, the States' House): 76 senators: 12 from each of the 6 states and 2 each from the ACT and the Northern Territory.
After a federal election, the party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives forms government, and its leader becomes Prime Minister. The second-largest group forms the Opposition. Senior ministers form the Cabinet, the key decision-making body. Members who do not belong to a party are called independents.
How a law is made
- A proposed law, called a Bill, is introduced in Parliament.
- Both Houses debate it and vote on it.
- If a majority in each House agrees, it goes to the Governor-General.
- The Governor-General signs it into law (Royal Assent).
Elections
Citizens aged 18 or over must enrol and vote. Voting is by secret ballot. If you do not vote and have no good reason, you may be fined. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) runs federal elections and referendums, keeps the electoral roll and is independent of government.
Three levels of government
| Level | Examples of what it looks after |
|---|---|
| Australian Government | Tax, defence, immigration and citizenship, foreign affairs, trade, social security, postal services, airports |
| State and territory governments | Hospitals, schools, roads and railways, police and ambulance, public transport, forestry |
| Local councils | Rubbish collection, local roads and footpaths, parks and pools, libraries, building permits, animal control |
States have rights recognised by the Constitution. Territories do not: the Australian Government can change or cancel self-governing territory laws.
The law, courts and police
- Courts are independent and decide cases only on the evidence. No one can tell a judge or magistrate what to decide, and the government cannot remove them for disagreeing with a decision.
- A person is innocent until found guilty in court and has the right to a lawyer.
- In some trials a jury decides guilt. If the person is found guilty, the judge decides the penalty.
- Police keep the peace and are independent of government. They can arrest people, but the court decides guilt. Offering a bribe to police is a crime.
- Each state and the Northern Territory has its own police. The Australian Federal Police deal with federal crimes such as drug trafficking and also police the ACT.
- Not knowing a law is no excuse for breaking it.
Domestic and family violence is a serious crime. It includes threats and behaviour that control a partner through fear, such as hitting, isolating a family member, or threatening children or pets. If someone is in danger, contact the police.
Road rules are set by states and territories. You need a local driver licence and a registered car. Everyone must wear a seatbelt, and young children need an approved car seat.
Part 4: Australian values
Values questions often describe a situation and ask what is acceptable. The answer always follows the same ideas: freedom, respect, fairness and equality, all within the law.
| Topic | The Australian value or law |
|---|---|
| Speech | You can share your views and protest peacefully. Promoting violence against a person or group, making false allegations and encouraging others to break the law are not acceptable. |
| Religion | Religious laws have no legal status. Polygamy and forced marriage are against the law. |
| Marriage | Two people may marry, including two men or two women. Either spouse may apply for divorce. |
| Equality | Men and women have equal rights. Jobs should go to the person with the best skills and experience. |
| Violence | Physical violence against a spouse or partner is never acceptable and is a crime. Intimidation and verbal abuse are against the law. |
| Consent | The age of sexual consent is 16 or 17, depending on the state or territory. |
| Racism | Racism has no place in Australia, online, in public or at sporting events. |
| Safety | Report suspected plans for serious crime, and child abuse, to the authorities or police. Cyber abuse is not accepted. |
| Loyalty | Dual citizenship is allowed if the other country permits it, but in Australia you must follow all Australian laws. Some laws, such as those protecting children under 16, apply to Australians overseas too. |
- Mateship means helping each other, especially in hard times, for example taking a meal to an elderly neighbour.
- Tolerance means listening to others and respecting their views, even when you disagree.
- English is the national language and an important unifying element. People should make an effort to learn it.
- Support the lawful actions of police and obey lawful police requests.
- Contribute to the community and support yourself and your family when you can.
How to prepare
- Read the testable section of Our Common Bond from start to finish, in your own language first if that helps, then in English.
- Learn the glossary words, such as referendum, secular, fair go, mateship and Royal Assent.
- Take the practice tests here until you score well above 75%.
- Pay special attention to Part 4. All 5 values questions must be correct.
- Try the free sample test on the Home Affairs website.