Every term, defined

Australian Citizenship Test glossary

113 terms from Our Common Bond, each linked back to the chapter it comes from.

'

'fair go': A 'fair go' means what someone achieves in life should be the result of their talents, work and effort rather than their wealth or background; Equality of opportunity and a fair go

A

Aboriginal people: Aboriginal people are historically from mainland Australia and Tasmania; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Adelaide: Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia; States, territories and capital cities
All Australians: All Australians are equal under the law; The Rule of Law
All states: All states are equally represented in the Senate regardless of their size or population; The Senate
Anzac Day: Anzac Day is commemorated on 25 April each year; Anzac Day
Area of government a minister: An area of government a minister is responsible for is called a portfolio; Political parties and forming government
Australia: Australia is a federation of six states and two mainland territories; States, territories and capital cities
Australia Day: Australia Day is celebrated on 26 January each year; Australia Day
Australia's first inhabitants: Australia's first inhabitants are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Australia's Head of State: Australia's Head of State is the King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III; The Head of State and constitutional monarchy
Australia's laws: Australia's laws are determined by parliaments elected by the people; Parliamentary democracy as a value
Australia's national anthem: Australia's national anthem is 'Advance Australia Fair'; Australia’s national anthem
Australia's national colours: Australia's national colours are green and gold, the colours of the golden wattle; Australia’s symbols
Australia's national flower: Australia's national flower is the golden wattle; Australia’s symbols
Australia's national language: Australia's national language is English; Language and diversity
Australia's system of government: Australia's system of government is a parliamentary democracy; Parliamentary democracy
Australian Aboriginal Flag: The Australian Aboriginal Flag is black, red and yellow; The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag
Australian Capital Territory: The Australian Capital Territory is located between Sydney and Melbourne; The territories
Australian citizens: Australian citizens are involved in how the country is governed; Parliamentary democracy as a value
Australian citizenship: Australian citizenship is about living out Australian values in your everyday life and in your local community; Australian values and the Rule of Law
Australian Constitution: The Australian Constitution is the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900; The Australian Constitution
Australian Electoral Commission: The Australian Electoral Commission is a Commonwealth agency responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums; Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission
Australian Federal Police: The Australian Federal Police is responsible for general police work in the Australian Capital Territory; The police
Australian Government: The Australian Government is responsible for taxation and national economic management; What the three levels of government do
Australian laws ensure a person: Australian laws ensure a person is not treated differently because of their gender, race, disability or age; Equality of opportunity and a fair go
Australian National Flag: The Australian National Flag is blue, white and red; The Australian National Flag
Australian society: Australian society is based on shared obligations not to undermine Australia's interests and security; Helping to keep our society safe and loyalty to Australia
Australian values: Australian values are based on freedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity; Australian values and the Rule of Law
Australians: Australians are allowed to peacefully protest against the actions of the government; Freedom of speech and freedom of association as values

B

Before 1901 Australia: Before 1901 Australia was made up of six separate, self-governing British colonies; Federation
Brisbane: Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland; States, territories and capital cities

C

Canberra: Canberra is Australia's capital city; States, territories and capital cities
Chief Minister: A Chief Minister is the leader of a territory government; Australia’s leaders
Commonwealth Coat of Arms: The Commonwealth Coat of Arms is the official symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia; Australia’s symbols
Compulsory voting: Compulsory voting is a way to make sure that the people have a say in who will govern them; Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission
Councillor: A Councillor is an elected member of a local council; Australia’s leaders
Councils: Councils are responsible for planning and delivering services to their local community; State, territory and local government
Courts and judges: Courts and judges are independent of parliament and government; How the power of government is controlled
Courts in Australia: The courts in Australia are independent; The courts, judges and juries

D

Darwin: Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory; States, territories and capital cities
Divorce: Divorce is acceptable in Australia; Equality of all people under the law
Double majority: A double majority means a majority of voters in a majority of states and a majority of voters across the nation; The Australian Constitution

E

English: English is an important unifying element of Australian society; English as the national language
Executive power: Executive power is the power to put the laws into practice; How the power of government is controlled

F

First Fleet: The First Fleet was made up of 11 convict ships; Early days of European settlement
Forced marriage: Forced marriage is against the law in Australia and can result in severe legal penalties, including imprisonment; Freedom of religion as a value
Freedom of association: Freedom of association is the right to form and join associations to pursue common goals; Freedom of association and freedom of religion
Freedom of expression: Freedom of expression means people can express their views through art, film, music and literature; Freedom of speech and freedom of expression
Freedom of speech: Freedom of speech is a core Australian value and underpins Australia's democratic system; Freedom of speech and freedom of expression

G

Government in Australia: The government in Australia is secular, which means it operates separately from churches or other religious entities; Freedom of association and freedom of religion
Government minister: A government minister is a Member of Parliament chosen by a government leader to be responsible for an area of government; Australia’s leaders
Governor: A Governor is the representative of the Head of State in each Australian state; Australia’s leaders
Governor-General: The Governor-General is not part of the government and must remain neutral; The role of the Governor-General

H

Hobart: Hobart is the capital city of Tasmania; States, territories and capital cities
House of Representatives: The House of Representatives is also called the Lower House or the People's House; The House of Representatives

I

If you: If you are not correctly enrolled you are not able to vote in an election; Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission
In 1901 Australia's population: In 1901 Australia's population was about four million; The nation of Australia
In 1901 the separate colonies: In 1901 the separate colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia; The nation of Australia
In Australia people: In Australia people are considered innocent until they are found guilty in a court; The courts, judges and juries

J

Judge or magistrate: The judge or magistrate is the highest authority in a court; The courts, judges and juries
Judges and magistrates: Judges and magistrates are independent and no one can tell them what to decide; The courts, judges and juries
Jury: 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
Jury service: Jury service is a responsibility for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over; Responsibilities of Australian citizenship

L

Law: The law is applied in Australia so that people from different backgrounds are not given preferential treatment, nor discriminated against; Equality of all people under the law
Leader of the Australian Government: The leader of the Australian Government is the Prime Minister; The Head of State and constitutional monarchy
Leader of the Opposition: The leader of the Opposition is called the Leader of the Opposition; Political parties and forming government
Legislative power: Legislative power is the power to make laws and belongs to Parliament; How the power of government is controlled
Local governments: Local governments are responsible for rubbish collection; What the three levels of government do

M

Main political parties in Australia: The main political parties in Australia are the Liberal Party of Australia, the Australian Labor Party, the Nationals and the Australian Greens; Political parties and forming government
Many forms of cyber abuse: Many forms of cyber abuse are illegal in Australia; Helping to keep our society safe and loyalty to Australia
Mayor or Shire President: A Mayor or Shire President is the leader of a local government; Australia’s leaders
Melbourne: Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria; States, territories and capital cities
Member of Parliament: A Member of Parliament is an elected representative of the people in the Australian Parliament or a state parliament; Australia’s leaders
Ministers: Ministers are responsible for government departments; How the power of government is controlled
Mutual respect and tolerance: Mutual respect and tolerance means listening to others and respecting their views and opinions even when they are different from your own; Mutual respect and tolerance for others

N

National anthem: The national anthem is sung on occasions of national importance, including at Australian citizenship ceremonies and major sporting events; Australia’s national anthem
New South Wales: New South Wales was the first colony established by the British; The states
No one: No one is allowed to know whom you have voted for unless you choose to tell them; Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission

O

Opal: The opal is Australia's national gemstone; Australia’s symbols

P

Parliament: Parliament is made up of representatives who are elected by the people of Australia; How the power of government is controlled
Paying tax: Paying tax is an important way to contribute to the Australian community and is required by law; Participating in Australian society and paying tax
People: People are free to meet in public or private places for social or political discussion; Freedom of speech and freedom of expression
People in Australia: People in Australia are free to join any legal organisation, such as a political party, trade union, religious, cultural or social group; Freedom of association and freedom of religion
Perth: Perth is the capital city of Western Australia; States, territories and capital cities
Police: The police are independent of the government; The police
Political party: A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed; Political parties and forming government
Premier: A Premier is the leader of a state government; Australia’s leaders
Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the leader of the Australian Government; Australia’s leaders

Q

Queensland: Queensland is the second largest state; The states

R

Referendum: A referendum is a vote to change the Australian Constitution; Responsibilities of Australian citizenship
Religious intolerance: Religious intolerance is not acceptable in Australian society; Freedom of religion as a value
Road and traffic rules: Road and traffic rules are controlled by state and territory governments; Criminal and traffic offences
Role of a jury: The role of a jury is to decide in court if a person is innocent or guilty; The courts, judges and juries
Rule of Law: The Rule of Law means that no person, group or religious rule is above the law; The Rule of Law

S

Senate: The Senate is sometimes called the Upper House, the House of Review or the States' House; The Senate
Senator: A Senator is an elected representative of a state or territory in the Australian Parliament; Australia’s leaders
State and territory governments: State and territory governments are based in their capital cities; State, territory and local government
Sydney: Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales; States, territories and capital cities

T

Tasmania: Tasmania is the smallest state, separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait; The states
Tax: Tax is paid out of the money you earn from a job, a business or investments; Participating in Australian society and paying tax
Taxes: Taxes are spent on services including government-funded healthcare and education, defence, roads and railways, and social security; Participating in Australian society and paying tax
These practices: These practices are performed to show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country
Tolerance of peaceful public protest: Tolerance of peaceful public protest is an essential part of democracy; Freedom of speech and freedom of association as values
Torres Strait Islander Flag: The Torres Strait Islander Flag is green, blue, black and white; The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag
Torres Strait Islander people: Torres Strait Islander people are from islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

V

Victoria: Victoria is the smallest of the mainland states; The states
Violence towards another person: Violence towards another person is illegal in Australia and is a very serious crime; Criminal and traffic offences
Volunteering: Volunteering is an opportunity to share knowledge, learn new skills and increase your sense of belonging to the Australian community; Compassion, mateship and making a contribution
Voting: Voting is a responsibility for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over; Responsibilities of Australian citizenship
Voting in an Australian election: Voting in an Australian election is by secret ballot; Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission

W

Welcome to Country: A Welcome to Country is performed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local region; Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country
Western Australia: Western Australia is the largest state; The states

Definitions are drawn from the official guide. Read the chapters for the full context.