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Australian Citizenship Test

Chapter 1

Australia and its people

Australia's first peoples, European settlement and federation, the states and territories and their capitals, the national days, flags and symbols.

Test yourself on this chapter

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Australia's first inhabitants are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world. Aboriginal people are historically from mainland Australia and Tasmania, and the archaeological record indicates they arrived between 65,000 and 40,000 years ago. Torres Strait Islander people are from the islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea. Their deep connection with the land is expressed in stories, art and dance.

Testable facts

  • Australia's first inhabitants are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world
  • The archaeological record indicates Aboriginal peoples arrived in Australia between 65,000 and 40,000 years ago
  • Aboriginal people are historically from mainland Australia and Tasmania
  • Torres Strait Islander people are from islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea
  • 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 make up approximately three per cent of the Australian population

Early days of European settlement

European settlement began when the first 11 convict ships, known as the ‘First Fleet’, arrived from Great Britain on 26 January 1788. British jails could not hold everyone imprisoned for their crimes, so the British Government decided to transport convicts to the new colony of New South Wales. Captain Arthur Phillip was the first Governor of the colony. Early free settlers came from Great Britain and Ireland, and that British and Irish heritage has strongly influenced Australia's history, culture and politics.

Testable facts

  • European settlement started when the first 11 convict ships, known as the First Fleet, arrived from Great Britain on 26 January 1788
  • The First Fleet was made up of 11 convict ships
  • The British Government decided to transport convicts to the new colony of New South Wales
  • The first Governor of the colony of New South Wales was Captain Arthur Phillip
  • Early free settlers came from Great Britain and Ireland
  • British and Irish heritage has had a major influence on Australia's recent history, culture and politics

The gold rush

In 1851 a ‘gold rush’ began when gold was discovered in the colonies of New South Wales and Victoria. People came from all around the world to try to make their fortunes. Chinese people arriving at this time were the first large group of migrants not from Europe. Within 10 years Australia's population had more than doubled.

Testable facts

  • In 1851 a gold rush began when gold was discovered in the colonies of New South Wales and Victoria
  • Chinese people arriving during the gold rush were the first large group of migrants not from Europe
  • In 10 years the gold rush more than doubled Australia's population

The nation of Australia

In 1901 the separate colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia's national democratic institutions — the national parliament, the government and the High Court — were established at that time under the new Australian Constitution. Australia's population was then about four million, a figure that did not include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; they were not included in official estimates until after a Referendum in 1967. A wave of non-British migration followed the Second World War.

Testable facts

  • In 1901 the separate colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia
  • The national parliament, government and High Court were established in 1901 under the new Australian Constitution
  • In 1901 Australia's population was about four million
  • The 1901 population figure did not include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • It was not until after a Referendum in 1967 that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were included in official estimates of the population
  • A wave of non-British migration came after World War II, when millions of people in Europe had to leave their homelands

Language and diversity

Australia's national language is English, and it is part of the national identity. In keeping with Australian values, migrants should learn and use English to help them participate in Australian society. Communicating in English matters for making the most of living and working in Australia. Other languages are also valued, including more than 100 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

Testable facts

  • Australia's national language is English
  • Migrants should learn and use English to help them participate in Australian society
  • Australia values other languages, including more than 100 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages

States, territories and capital cities

The Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of states and territories: six states and two mainland territories. Canberra is Australia's capital city, and each state and mainland territory has its own capital. New South Wales has Sydney, Victoria has Melbourne, Queensland has Brisbane, Western Australia has Perth, South Australia has Adelaide, Tasmania has Hobart, the Australian Capital Territory has Canberra and the Northern Territory has Darwin.

Testable facts

  • Australia is a federation of six states and two mainland territories
  • Canberra is Australia's capital city
  • Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales
  • Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria
  • Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland
  • Perth is the capital city of Western Australia
  • Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia
  • Hobart is the capital city of Tasmania
  • Canberra is the capital of the Australian Capital Territory
  • Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory

The states

New South Wales was the first colony established by the British, and Sydney is the nation's largest city; the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House are national icons. Victoria is the smallest of the mainland states, and many of its fine buildings were built from gold-rush wealth. Queensland is the second largest state, with the Great Barrier Reef along its eastern coast and the Torres Strait Islands to its north. Western Australia is the largest state, mostly desert in the east and rich agricultural and wine country in the south-west. South Australia has a rugged coastline and famous wine regions. Tasmania is the smallest state, separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait.

Testable facts

  • New South Wales was the first colony established by the British
  • Sydney is the nation's largest city
  • The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House are national icons
  • Victoria is the smallest of the mainland states
  • Victoria's icons include the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 12 Apostles and the Royal Exhibition Building
  • Queensland is the second largest state
  • The world-famous Great Barrier Reef runs along Queensland's eastern coast
  • The Torres Strait Islands lie to the north of Queensland
  • Western Australia is the largest state
  • Western Australia's icons include the Ningaloo Coast, Margaret River and the Kimberley region
  • South Australia's icons include the Barossa Valley and the Flinders Ranges
  • Tasmania is the smallest state, separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait
  • Tasmanian icons include Cradle Mountain, Port Arthur and the Bay of Fires

The territories

The Australian Capital Territory lies between Sydney and Melbourne and is home to the nation's capital, Canberra, where several national institutions including Parliament House and the High Court of Australia are located. The Northern Territory has a tropical environment in the north and dry red desert in the south, with Darwin as its capital. Northern Territory icons include Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon.

Testable facts

  • The Australian Capital Territory is located between Sydney and Melbourne
  • Parliament House and the High Court of Australia are located in Canberra
  • The Northern Territory has a tropical environment in the north and dry red desert in the south
  • Northern Territory icons include Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon

Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country

A Welcome to Country is a cultural practice performed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local region, welcoming visitors to their traditional land. It was traditionally performed to ensure visitors had a safe and protected journey, and it can take many forms including songs, dances, smoking ceremonies or speeches. It is usually the first item of proceedings to open an event. An Acknowledgement of Country recognises that the gathering is on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land and pays respect to Traditional Custodians; anyone can deliver one, generally the Chair or Master of Ceremonies.

Testable facts

  • A Welcome to Country is performed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local region
  • A Welcome to Country welcomes visitors to their traditional land
  • A Welcome to Country can take the form of songs, dances, smoking ceremonies or speeches
  • A Welcome to Country is usually the first item of proceedings to open an event
  • An Acknowledgement of Country recognises that the gathering is on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land
  • Anyone can deliver an Acknowledgement of Country, generally the Chair or Master of Ceremonies
  • These practices are performed to show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Australia Day

Australia Day is celebrated on 26 January each year and is a public holiday in every state and territory. It marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet from Great Britain in 1788 and is the biggest annual public holiday in Australia. Communities reflect on the nation's history and on everyone who has contributed to it, from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have been here for approximately 65,000 years, to the most recent arrivals. Special citizenship ceremonies are held, and the Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra.

Testable facts

  • Australia Day is celebrated on 26 January each year
  • Australia Day is a public holiday in every state and territory in Australia
  • Australia Day is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet from Great Britain in 1788
  • Australia Day is the biggest annual public holiday in Australia
  • Australia Day is marked by events including special citizenship ceremonies
  • During Australia Day celebrations the Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra

Anzac Day

Anzac Day is commemorated on 25 April each year. It is named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which landed at Gallipoli in Türkiye during World War I on 25 April 1915. It is a solemn day on which Australians remember the sacrifice of all those who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, and honour the courage and commitment of all servicemen and women.

Testable facts

  • Anzac Day is commemorated on 25 April each year
  • Anzac Day is named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps
  • The Anzacs landed at Gallipoli in Türkiye during World War I on 25 April 1915
  • 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 honours the courage and commitment of all servicemen and women

The Australian National Flag

The Australian National Flag is blue, white and red. The Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom, sits in the top left corner and represents Australia's history of British settlement and the laws and institutions inherited as a result. The Commonwealth Star sits under the Union Jack; it has seven points, one for each of the six states and one for the territories. The Southern Cross, on the right, is a group of stars that can be seen in the southern sky.

Testable facts

  • The Australian National Flag is blue, white and red
  • The Union Jack in the top left corner of the Australian National Flag represents Australia's history of British settlement
  • The Commonwealth Star sits under the Union Jack on the Australian National Flag
  • The Commonwealth Star has seven points, one for each of the six states and one for the territories
  • The Southern Cross on the Australian National Flag is a group of stars that can be seen in the southern sky
  • The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag are also officially recognised
  • Each state and territory also has its own flag

The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag

The Australian Aboriginal Flag is black, red and yellow. Its top half is black and represents the Aboriginal peoples of Australia, the bottom half is red and represents the earth, which has ceremonial significance, and the yellow circle represents the sun. The Torres Strait Islander Flag is green, blue, black and white. The green stripes represent the land, the blue panel in the centre represents the sea, the black lines represent the Torres Strait Islander people, the white dancer's headdress in the centre is a symbol for all Torres Strait Islanders, and the points of the white star represent the island groups in the Torres Strait, with white symbolising peace.

Testable facts

  • The Australian Aboriginal Flag is black, red and yellow
  • The top half of the Australian Aboriginal Flag is black and represents the Aboriginal peoples of Australia
  • The bottom half of the Australian Aboriginal Flag is red and represents the earth, which has ceremonial significance
  • The yellow circle on the Australian Aboriginal Flag represents the sun
  • The Torres Strait Islander Flag is green, blue, black and white
  • The green stripes on the Torres Strait Islander Flag represent the land
  • The blue panel in the centre of the Torres Strait Islander Flag represents the sea
  • The black lines on the Torres Strait Islander Flag represent the Torres Strait Islander people
  • The white dancer's headdress on the Torres Strait Islander Flag is a symbol for all Torres Strait Islanders
  • The points of the white star on the Torres Strait Islander Flag represent the island groups in the Torres Strait, and white symbolises peace

Australia’s symbols

The Commonwealth Coat of Arms is the official symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia and represents national unity; it identifies the authority and property of the Commonwealth. The shield in the centre represents the six states and federation, a kangaroo and an emu support the shield on either side, a gold Commonwealth Star sits above it, and the background is golden wattle. Australia's national flower is the golden wattle, a small tree that grows mainly in south-eastern Australia. The national colours are green and gold, the colours of the golden wattle, and the national gemstone is the opal.

Testable facts

  • The Commonwealth Coat of Arms is the official symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia
  • The Commonwealth Coat of Arms represents national unity and identifies the authority and property of the Commonwealth of Australia
  • The shield in the centre of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms represents the six states and federation
  • A kangaroo and an emu support the shield of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms on each side
  • A gold Commonwealth Star sits above the shield of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms
  • The background of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms is the golden wattle, Australia's national flower
  • Australia's national flower is the golden wattle
  • The golden wattle grows mainly in south-eastern Australia and has bright green leaves and golden yellow flowers in spring
  • Australia's national colours are green and gold, the colours of the golden wattle
  • The uniforms of Australia's national sports teams are usually green and gold
  • The opal is Australia's national gemstone
  • Each state and territory has its own floral emblem

Australia’s national anthem

‘Advance Australia Fair’ is Australia's national anthem. It is sung on occasions of national importance, including at Australian citizenship ceremonies and major sporting events.

Testable facts

  • Australia's national anthem is 'Advance Australia Fair'
  • The national anthem is sung on occasions of national importance, including at Australian citizenship ceremonies and major sporting events

This is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorised by the government of Australia. Practice questions are written from the official study guide and are not the real exam questions. No government publishes those.