Skip to content
Australian Citizenship Test

The whole bank, free

Australian Citizenship Test questions and answers

Every question in the bank, with the answer and an explanation. Written from Our Common Bond. Browsing is free and needs no account. But you will learn far more by taking a timed test than by reading answers.

  1. 1.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)

  2. 2.What does the Australian Electoral Commission maintain?

    • AThe Commonwealth electoral roll
    • BThe list of Australian citizens
    • CThe register of political parties only
    • DThe record of jury service

    The Australian Electoral Commission maintains the Commonwealth electoral roll. (Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission)

  3. 3.How independent is the Australian Electoral Commission?

    • AIt is controlled by the party in government
    • BIt is independent, and government cannot influence its decisions
    • CIt reports to the Prime Minister
    • DIt is a division of the Home Affairs department

    Political parties or people in government cannot influence the decisions of the Australian Electoral Commission. (Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission)

  4. 4.How is voting conducted in Australian elections?

    • ABy declaration to an electoral officer
    • BBy a public show of hands
    • CBy secret ballot
    • DBy signed and published ballot

    Voting in an Australian election is by secret ballot. (Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission)

  5. 5.Who is allowed to know whom you voted for?

    • AThe police, on request
    • BThe Australian Electoral Commission
    • CYour local member of parliament
    • DNo one, unless you choose to tell them

    No one is allowed to know whom you have voted for unless you choose to tell them. (Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission)

  6. 6.What may happen if you do not vote and have no good reason?

    • AYou lose your citizenship
    • BYou may have to pay a fine
    • CYou are removed from the electoral roll
    • DYou may be imprisoned

    If you do not vote and do not have a good reason you may have to pay a fine. (Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission)

  7. 7.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

    The Australian Electoral Commission maintains the Commonwealth electoral roll. (Voting and the Australian Electoral Commission)

  8. 8.What can Australian citizens do if they are concerned about government policy?

    • ARefuse to pay tax until it changes
    • BApply to the Governor-General
    • CContact their elected representative to raise it
    • DPetition the High Court directly

    Australian citizens can contact their elected representative to raise concerns about government policy. (Raising matters with your representatives)

  9. 9.What should an elected representative do when a citizen suggests a law be changed?

    • AConsider what has been suggested
    • BPass it to the Australian Electoral Commission
    • CPut the suggestion to a referendum
    • DRefer the citizen to the courts

    If a citizen tells their elected representative a law needs to be changed, the representative should consider what has been suggested. (Raising matters with your representatives)

  10. 10.How many separate British colonies existed in Australia before 1901?

    • AEight
    • BFour
    • CTwo
    • DSix

    Before 1901 Australia was made up of six separate, self-governing British colonies. (Federation)

  11. 11.On what date did the colonies unite into the Commonwealth of Australia?

    • A25 April 1915
    • B1 January 1900
    • C26 January 1788
    • D1 January 1901

    On 1 January 1901 the colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia. (Federation)

  12. 12.Which of these was a difficulty caused by having separate colonies?

    • AThey had no common language between them
    • BThey used different currencies but nothing else differed
    • CTrade and transport between them was expensive and slow
    • DThey had no elected parliaments of their own

    Trade and transport between the colonies was expensive and slow, and enforcing the law across borders was difficult. (Federation)

  13. 13.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)

  14. 14.What is the Australian Constitution?

    • AThe legal document setting out the basic rules for the government of Australia
    • BA collection of the trade laws of the separate states
    • CA treaty agreed between Australia and the United Kingdom
    • DA declaration of independence from the British Empire

    The Australian Constitution sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia. (The Australian Constitution)

  15. 15.When did the Australian Constitution come into effect?

    • A26 January 1788
    • B1 January 1901
    • C1 January 1900
    • D27 May 1967

    The Australian Constitution came into effect on 1 January 1901. (The Australian Constitution)

  16. 16.Which two Houses did the Constitution establish?

    • AA National Assembly and a Council of States
    • BA House of Commons and a House of Lords
    • CA Lower House and a House of Review only
    • DA House of Representatives and a Senate

    The Australian Constitution established the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate. (The Australian Constitution)

  17. 17.Which court did the Australian Constitution establish?

    • AThe High Court of Australia
    • BThe Supreme Court of New South Wales
    • CThe Australian Court of Appeal
    • DThe Federal Circuit Court

    The Australian Constitution established the High Court of Australia. (The Australian Constitution)

  18. 18.Which court has the ultimate power to apply and interpret Australia’s laws?

    • AThe High Court of Australia
    • BEach state Supreme Court
    • CThe Federal Court of Australia
    • DThe Governor-General’s court

    The Australian Constitution established the High Court of Australia. (The Australian Constitution)

  19. 19.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)

  20. 20.What is required for a referendum to change the Constitution?

    • AA simple national majority
    • BUnanimous agreement of the states
    • CA double majority
    • DA two-thirds majority in parliament

    A double majority means a majority of voters in a majority of states and a majority of voters across the nation. (The Australian Constitution)

  21. 21.What does a ‘double majority’ mean?

    • AA majority of members in both Houses of Parliament
    • BA majority of voters in a majority of states, and a majority across the nation
    • CA majority won in two consecutive referendums
    • DA majority of voters in every state of the federation

    A double majority means a majority of voters in a majority of states and a majority of voters across the nation. (The Australian Constitution)

  22. 22.What did more than 90 per cent of Australians vote ‘Yes’ to in 1967?

    • AAdopting a new national anthem
    • BEnding the transportation of convicts
    • CMaking voting compulsory
    • DAllowing Aboriginal peoples to be counted in the Census

    In the 1967 Referendum more than 90 per cent of Australians voted 'Yes' to allow Aboriginal peoples to be counted in the Census. (The Australian Constitution)

  23. 23.Into which three powers does the Constitution divide the power of government?

    • ALegislative, executive and judicial
    • BCommons, Senate and Cabinet
    • CFederal, state and local
    • DParliament, monarch and people

    The Australian Constitution divides the power of government between legislative, executive and judicial powers. (How the power of government is controlled)

  24. 24.Why is the power of government divided?

    • ATo give the states more power than the Commonwealth
    • BTo stop one person, or one group, from holding all the power
    • CTo reduce the cost of government
    • DTo allow the Governor-General to rule alone

    The division of power stops one person, or one group, from holding all the power. (How the power of government is controlled)

  25. 25.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)

  26. 26.What is executive power?

    • AThe power to make laws
    • BThe power to change the Constitution
    • CThe power to put the laws into practice
    • DThe power to interpret and apply the law

    Executive power is the power to put the laws into practice. (How the power of government is controlled)

  27. 27.Who holds judicial power in Australia?

    • AThe Prime Minister and Cabinet
    • BJudges
    • CThe Parliament
    • DThe Governor-General

    Judges have the power to interpret and apply the law. (How the power of government is controlled)

  28. 28.How independent are Australia’s courts and judges?

    • AThey are appointed by the Senate
    • BThey are independent of parliament and government
    • CThey are directed by the Prime Minister
    • DThey report to the Attorney-General

    Courts and judges are independent of parliament and government. (How the power of government is controlled)

  29. 29.Who is Australia’s Head of State?

    • AThe Governor-General
    • BThe Prime Minister
    • CThe Chief Justice of the High Court
    • DThe King of Australia

    Australia's Head of State is the King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III. (The Head of State and constitutional monarchy)

  30. 30.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)

  31. 31.How does the Governor-General act in relation to political parties?

    • AOn instructions from the Senate
    • BAs leader of the governing party
    • CIndependently of all political parties
    • DAs a member of Cabinet

    The Governor-General acts independently of all political parties. (The Head of State and constitutional monarchy)

  32. 32.What does it mean that Australia is a constitutional monarchy?

    • AParliament is appointed by the King rather than elected
    • BThe Constitution may be altered by the King at will
    • CThe King is Head of State but must act in accordance with the Constitution
    • DThe King rules Australia directly from the United Kingdom

    Australia is a constitutional monarchy, which means the King is Head of State but has to act in accordance with the Constitution. (The Head of State and constitutional monarchy)

  33. 33.Why are the King’s powers delegated to the Governor-General?

    • ABecause the Constitution forbids the King from acting
    • BBecause the King does not live in Australia
    • CBecause parliament voted to remove his powers
    • DBecause the High Court ruled it necessary

    Because the King does not live in Australia, his powers are delegated to the Governor-General. (The Head of State and constitutional monarchy)

  34. 34.Who represents the King in each Australian state?

    • AA Chief Minister
    • BA Premier
    • CAn Administrator
    • DA governor

    In each of the states there is a governor who represents the King. (The Head of State and constitutional monarchy)

  35. 35.Who is the leader of the Australian Government?

    • AThe King of Australia
    • BThe Prime Minister
    • CThe Leader of the Opposition
    • DThe Governor-General

    The leader of the Australian Government is the Prime Minister. (The Head of State and constitutional monarchy)

  36. 36.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)

  37. 37.Which of these is a role of the Governor-General?

    • AActing as Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force
    • BInterpreting the Australian Constitution
    • CLeading the governing party in parliament
    • DSetting income tax rates

    The Governor-General acts as Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force. (The role of the Governor-General)

  38. 38.What must the Governor-General remain?

    • AAnswerable to the Senate
    • BThe leader of the Opposition
    • CA member of the governing party
    • DNeutral

    The Governor-General is not part of the government and must remain neutral. (The role of the Governor-General)

  39. 39.Who starts the process for a federal election?

    • AThe Governor-General
    • BThe High Court
    • CThe Australian Electoral Commission
    • DThe Prime Minister

    The Governor-General is not part of the government and must remain neutral. (The role of the Governor-General)

  40. 40.What are the Governor-General’s ‘reserve powers’?

    • APowers to appoint the Prime Minister at will
    • BPowers to make laws without parliament
    • CSpecial powers that can only be used in specific circumstances
    • DPowers to change the Constitution

    The Governor-General has special powers known as 'reserve powers' that can only be used in specific circumstances. (The role of the Governor-General)

  41. 41.Whose appointments does the Governor-General approve?

    • AOnly the Prime Minister
    • BOnly state governors
    • CMembers of the Australian Electoral Commission
    • DThe government, its ministers, federal judges and other officials

    The Governor-General approves the appointment of the Australian Government and its ministers, federal judges and other officials. (The role of the Governor-General)

  42. 42.Who leads a state government in Australia?

    • AThe Premier
    • BThe Governor
    • CThe Chief Minister
    • DThe Mayor

    The Prime Minister is the leader of the Australian Government. (Australia’s leaders)

  43. 43.Who leads a territory government in Australia?

    • AThe Chief Minister
    • BThe Governor
    • CThe Premier
    • DThe Administrator

    The Prime Minister is the leader of the Australian Government. (Australia’s leaders)

  44. 44.Who leads a local government in Australia?

    • AA Councillor elected to serve on the local council
    • BThe Mayor or Shire President
    • CThe Premier, who leads the government of a state
    • DThe Chief Minister, who leads a territory government

    A Mayor or Shire President is the leader of a local government. (Australia’s leaders)

  45. 45.What is a Senator?

    • AAn adviser appointed to assist the Governor-General
    • BAn elected member of a local council, shire or municipality
    • CA judge appointed to sit on the High Court of Australia
    • DAn elected representative of a state or territory in the Australian Parliament

    A Senator is an elected representative of a state or territory in the Australian Parliament. (Australia’s leaders)

  46. 46.What is an elected member of a local council called?

    • AA Councillor
    • BA Minister
    • CA Shire President
    • DA Senator

    A Councillor is an elected member of a local council. (Australia’s leaders)

  47. 47.What is a government minister?

    • AAn elected member of a local council or shire
    • BA Member of Parliament responsible for an area of government
    • CA public servant appointed to head a department
    • DAn adviser appointed by the King of Australia

    A government minister is a Member of Parliament chosen by a government leader to be responsible for an area of government. (Australia’s leaders)

  48. 48.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)

  49. 49.How many members are elected to the House of Representatives?

    • AOver 300
    • BExactly 76
    • COver 150
    • DExactly 12

    There are over 150 members elected to the House of Representatives. (The House of Representatives)

  50. 50.What determines the number of MPs for each state and territory?

    • AThe number of people in that state or territory
    • BAn equal number for every state
    • CThe number of local councils
    • DThe land area of the state or territory

    The number of MPs for each state and territory is based on the number of people in that state or territory. (The House of Representatives)

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.

Australian Citizenship Test Questions and Answers 2026. All 289 Free · Practice Citizenship