Free, with answers
50 Australian Citizenship Test practice questions
Fifty questions spread across every chapter of Our Common Bond, each with the correct answer and an explanation. The real test is 20 questions and you need 15 correct to pass. It also includes 5 Australian values questions, and you must get every one of them right whatever your overall score.
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50 questions with answers
Every question here was checked by hand against Our Common Bond. How we check
1.Who are Australia’s first inhabitants?
- AThe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- BTraders from Papua New Guinea
- CThe first free settlers from Ireland
- DThe convicts of the First Fleet
Australia's first inhabitants are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
2.How is the deep connection to land of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples expressed?
- AThrough formal land registers
- BThrough parliamentary petitions
- CTheir stories, art and dance
- DThrough written treaties
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a deep connection with the land, expressed in their stories, art and dance. (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
3.To which new colony were the first convicts transported?
- ASouth Australia
- BQueensland
- CNew South Wales
- DVictoria
The British Government decided to transport convicts to the new colony of New South Wales. (Early days of European settlement)
4.What happened to Australia’s population in the 10 years after the gold rush began?
- AIt more than doubled
- BIt fell by a third
- CIt grew by about one per cent
- DIt stayed almost the same
In 10 years the gold rush more than doubled Australia's population. (The gold rush)
5.When did a wave of non-British migration come to Australia?
- ABefore the arrival of the First Fleet
- BDuring the gold rush of 1851
- CAfter World War II
- DImmediately after federation in 1901
A wave of non-British migration came after World War II, when millions of people in Europe had to leave their homelands. (The nation of Australia)
6.What is Australia’s capital city?
- ACanberra
- BSydney
- CMelbourne
- DBrisbane
Canberra is Australia's capital city. (States, territories and capital cities)
7.What is the capital city of Tasmania?
- ALaunceston
- BDevonport
- CHobart
- DCanberra
Hobart is the capital city of Tasmania. (States, territories and capital cities)
8.Which is the smallest of the mainland states?
- AVictoria
- BNew South Wales
- CTasmania
- DSouth Australia
Victoria is the smallest of the mainland states. (The states)
9.Cradle Mountain and Port Arthur are icons of which state?
- AVictoria
- BNew South Wales
- CTasmania
- DQueensland
Tasmanian icons include Cradle Mountain, Port Arthur and the Bay of Fires. (The states)
10.When does a Welcome to Country usually take place?
- AOnly at Australian citizenship ceremonies
- BOnly during Australia Day celebrations on 26 January
- CAt the close of proceedings, once an event has ended
- DAs the first item of proceedings to open an event
A Welcome to Country is usually the first item of proceedings to open an event. (Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country)
11.Which awards does the Prime Minister announce during Australia Day celebrations?
- AThe Anzac Day commemorative medals
- BThe Order of Australia honours
- CThe Australian Sports Awards
- DThe Australian of the Year Awards
During Australia Day celebrations the Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra. (Australia Day)
12.What does Anzac Day remember?
- AThe arrival of the First Fleet from Great Britain in 1788
- BThe uniting of the separate colonies into a federation
- CThe end of the transportation of convicts to the colonies
- DThe sacrifice of all Australians who served and died in wars and conflicts
Anzac Day is a solemn day when Australians remember the sacrifice of all Australians who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. (Anzac Day)
13.What is the Southern Cross?
- AThe name of the Union Jack in Australia
- BA group of stars that can be seen in the southern sky
- CA constellation of seven points
- DA group of islands in the Torres Strait
The Southern Cross on the Australian National Flag is a group of stars that can be seen in the southern sky. (The Australian National Flag)
14.What are the colours of the Torres Strait Islander Flag?
- AGreen, gold and white
- BBlack, red and yellow
- CBlue, white and red
- DGreen, blue, black and white
The Torres Strait Islander Flag is green, blue, black and white. (The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag)
15.What do the points of the white star on the Torres Strait Islander Flag represent?
- AThe six states and the territories
- BThe island groups in the Torres Strait
- CThe clans of the Torres Strait
- DThe five oceans
The points of the white star on the Torres Strait Islander Flag represent the island groups in the Torres Strait, and white symbolises peace. (The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag)
16.What are Australia’s national colours?
- ABlue, white and red
- BGreen and gold
- CBlack, red and yellow
- DGreen and blue
Australia's national colours are green and gold, the colours of the golden wattle. (Australia’s symbols)
17.Where does the power of the Australian government come from?
- AThe Governor-General
- BThe Australian people
- CThe King of Australia
- DThe High Court
The power of the government comes from the Australian people because Australian citizens vote for people to represent them in parliament. (Parliamentary democracy)
18.What do Australians reject as a way to change a person’s mind or the law?
- APeaceful protest
- BViolence
- CPublic debate
- DVoting
Australians reject violence as a way to change a person's mind or the law. (Living peacefully and respect for all)
19.What must protest gatherings in Australia be?
- ALimited to Australian citizens over the age of 18
- BApproved in advance by the police in that state
- CHeld only on public holidays and at weekends
- DPeaceful, and must not injure any person or damage property
Gatherings to protest must be peaceful and must not injure any person or damage property. (Freedom of speech and freedom of expression)
20.What happens where an Australian law and a religious practice conflict?
- AAustralian law prevails
- BThe courts must find a compromise
- CThe practice is exempt from the law
- DThe religious practice prevails
Where there is a conflict between an Australian law and a religious practice, Australian law prevails. (Freedom of association and freedom of religion)
21.Which of these is a responsibility of Australian citizenship?
- AServe in the Australian Defence Force
- BFly the national flag on Australia Day
- CJoin a political party
- DServe on a jury if called to do so
As an Australian citizen you must serve on a jury if called to do so. (Responsibilities of Australian citizenship)
22.What does a jury do?
- AAdvises the Governor-General on granting Royal Assent
- BListens to the evidence and decides if a person is guilty or not guilty
- CInterprets the Australian Constitution for the courts
- DDecides what penalty a guilty person should receive
A jury is a group of ordinary Australian men and women who listen to the evidence in a court case and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty. (Responsibilities of Australian citizenship)
23.What are your legal obligations while you are travelling overseas?
- AOnly the laws of your birth country apply
- BOnly Australian laws apply to you
- COnly international treaties apply
- DYou must obey the laws of the country you are in
When in another country you must obey the laws of that country. (Privileges of Australian citizenship)
24.Which body conducts federal elections and referendums in Australia?
- AThe Australian Taxation Office
- BThe Australian Electoral Commission
- CThe High Court of Australia
- DThe Department of Home Affairs
The Australian Electoral Commission is a Commonwealth agency responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums. (Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission)
25.What must you do before you are able to vote?
- AObtain a voting permit
- BPass a further citizenship test
- CJoin a political party
- DBe correctly enrolled on the electoral roll
If you are not correctly enrolled you are not able to vote in an election. (Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission)
26.What was true of the separate colonies’ defence systems?
- AThey were jointly commanded
- BThey were the strongest in the region
- CThey were funded by Britain alone
- DThey were weak
The separate colonies had weak systems of defence. (Federation)
27.How can the Australian people change the Constitution?
- ABy voting in a referendum
- BBy a majority vote in the Senate
- CBy petitioning the Governor-General
- DBy a decision of the High Court
The Australian people can change the Australian Constitution by voting in a referendum. (The Australian Constitution)
28.What is legislative power?
- AThe power to put laws into practice
- BThe power to dissolve parliament
- CThe power to interpret laws
- DThe power to make laws
Legislative power is the power to make laws and belongs to Parliament. (How the power of government is controlled)
29.Who appoints the Governor-General?
- AThe King of Australia, on the advice of the Prime Minister
- BThe Australian Parliament, by a vote of both Houses
- CThe High Court of Australia, on the Chief Justice’s advice
- DThe governors of the six states, acting jointly
The King of Australia appoints the Governor-General as his representative in Australia, on advice from the Australian Prime Minister. (The Head of State and constitutional monarchy)
30.What is it called when the Governor-General signs a Bill into law?
- AA double dissolution
- BRoyal Prerogative
- CA reserve power
- DRoyal Assent
The Governor-General signs all Bills passed by the Australian Parliament into law, which is called Royal Assent. (The role of the Governor-General)
31.Who leads a state government in Australia?
- AThe Premier
- BThe Governor
- CThe Chief Minister
- DThe Mayor
A Premier is the leader of a state government. (Australia’s leaders)
32.What are the other names for the House of Representatives?
- AThe Upper House or the States’ House
- BThe House of Review or the Senate
- CThe Lower House or the People’s House
- DThe Cabinet or the Executive
The House of Representatives is also called the Lower House or the People's House. (The House of Representatives)
33.What are the other names for the Senate?
- AThe Lower House, or the People’s House
- BThe Cabinet, or the Executive of the government
- CThe House of Commons, or the House of Lords
- DThe Upper House, the House of Review or the States’ House
The Senate is sometimes called the Upper House, the House of Review or the States' House. (The Senate)
34.Who is appointed by the Governor-General in the Northern Territory?
- AAn Administrator
- BA Chief Justice
- CA Governor
- DA Premier
In the Northern Territory an Administrator is appointed by the Governor-General. (State, territory and local government)
35.Which level of government is responsible for defence?
- ALocal governments
- BThe Governor-General
- CThe Australian Government
- DState and territory governments
The Australian Government is responsible for defence and foreign affairs. (What the three levels of government do)
36.Which level of government is responsible for social security payments?
- AEach individual employer
- BLocal governments
- CState and territory governments
- DThe Australian Government
The Australian Government is responsible for social security, including pensions and family support. (What the three levels of government do)
37.Who generally forms government after a federal election?
- AThe party holding a majority of seats in the Senate
- BThe party chosen for the task by the Governor-General
- CThe party with the largest number of registered members
- DThe party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives
The leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives becomes the Prime Minister. (Political parties and forming government)
38.What is a proposal for a new law called?
- AA referendum
- BAn Act
- CA Bill
- DA portfolio
A proposal to introduce a new law or change an existing one is called a Bill. (How laws are made)
39.Who is the highest authority in an Australian court?
- AThe senior police officer
- BThe foreman of the jury
- CThe Attorney-General
- DThe judge or magistrate
The judge or magistrate is the highest authority in a court. (The courts, judges and juries)
40.What right does every person have in an Australian court?
- AThe right to be represented by a lawyer
- BThe right to a retrial on request
- CThe right to choose the judge
- DThe right to refuse to attend
Every person has the right to be represented by a lawyer in court. (The courts, judges and juries)
41.Which territory does the Australian Federal Police do general police work in?
- ANorfolk Island
- BChristmas Island
- CThe Australian Capital Territory
- DThe Northern Territory
The Australian Federal Police is responsible for general police work in the Australian Capital Territory. (The police)
42.Who must wear a seatbelt in a car in Australia?
- AOnly the driver
- BOnly children under 12
- COnly front-seat passengers
- DEverybody travelling in the car
Everybody travelling in a car must wear a seatbelt. (Criminal and traffic offences)
43.What does the Rule of Law mean for Australians?
- AReligious rules take priority
- BAll Australians are equal in relation to the law
- CThe government is above the law
- DOnly citizens are equal before the law
Under the Rule of Law all Australians are equal in relation to the law and no person or group is above the law. (Australian values and the Rule of Law)
44.Why is tolerance of peaceful public protest important in Australia?
- AIt reduces the work of the police
- BIt is required by the Constitution
- CIt is an essential part of democracy
- DIt replaces the need to vote
Tolerance of peaceful public protest is an essential part of democracy. (Freedom of speech and freedom of association as values)
45.What is polygamy?
- ARefusing to marry at all
- BBeing married to more than one person at the same time
- CMarrying without a ceremony
- DMarrying someone from another religion
Polygamy, being married to more than one person at the same time, is against the law in Australia. (Freedom of religion as a value)
46.Who may marry under Australian law?
- ATwo people, including two men or two women
- BOnly Australian citizens
- COnly a man and a woman
- DOnly people of the same religion
Under Australian law two people can marry each other, including marriage between two men or two women. (Equality of all people under the law)
47.What should a person get a job on the basis of in Australia?
- ATheir length of residence
- BTheir gender
- CTheir skills and experience
- DTheir wealth and family connections
A person should get a job based on their skills and experience, not because of their gender, wealth or ethnicity. (Equality of opportunity and a fair go as a value)
48.What should you do when the police make a lawful request?
- AAsk a court to review it first
- BObey it
- CIgnore it unless it is in writing
- DRefer it to a lawyer first
The lawful actions of the police should be supported, and you should obey a lawful request from the police. (Mutual respect and tolerance for others)
49.Which of these is an example of mateship in Australia?
- AReporting a neighbour to the council
- BCharging a friend for a lift
- CTaking a meal to an elderly neighbour
- DRefusing to help until asked
Australians expect everyone living in Australia to participate in society and make a contribution to the community. (Compassion, mateship and making a contribution)
50.What should a person do if they know a child is being abused?
- AReport it to the local council
- BSpeak to the child’s family only
- CReport it to the police to investigate
- DDo nothing unless they witnessed it
A person who sees or has knowledge of a child being abused should report this to the police. (Helping to keep our society safe and loyalty to Australia)
Based on Our Common Bond, © Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Home Affairs), licensed under CC BY 4.0.