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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. 201.Which level of government is responsible for rubbish collection?

   • AState and territory governments
   • BThe Australian Government
   • CThe Department of Home Affairs
   • DLocal governments

   Local governments are responsible for rubbish collection. (What the three levels of government do)

2. 202.Which level of government is responsible for libraries, halls and community centres?

   • ALocal governments
   • BThe Australian Electoral Commission
   • CThe Australian Government
   • DState and territory governments

   Local governments are responsible for rubbish collection. (What the three levels of government do)

3. 203.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 taxation and national economic management. (What the three levels of government do)

4. 204.Which level of government is responsible for building permits?

   • ALocal governments
   • BThe Australian Taxation Office
   • CThe Australian Government
   • DState and territory governments

   Local governments are responsible for rubbish collection. (What the three levels of government do)

5. 205.Which level of government is responsible for foreign affairs?

   • AThe Governor-General
   • BState and territory governments
   • CThe Australian Government
   • DLocal governments

   The Australian Government is responsible for taxation and national economic management. (What the three levels of government do)

6. 206.What is a political party?

   • AAn association representing Australia’s local councils
   • BA committee formed by the Australian Parliament
   • CA group of people appointed by the Governor-General
   • DA group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed

   A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed. (Political parties and forming government)

7. 207.Which of these is a main political party in Australia?

   • AThe Australian Labor Party
   • BThe Australian Democratic Union
   • CThe Commonwealth Party
   • DThe National Federation Party

   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)

8. 208.What is a parliamentarian who belongs to no political party called?

   • AA crossbencher minister
   • BAn independent
   • CA senator-at-large
   • DA backbench delegate

   An area of government a minister is responsible for is called a portfolio. (Political parties and forming government)

9. 209.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)

10. 210.What is the party or coalition with the second largest number of members called?

    • AThe crossbench
    • BThe Senate bloc
    • CThe Opposition
    • DThe Cabinet

    The party or coalition with the second largest number of members in the House of Representatives forms the Opposition. (Political parties and forming government)

11. 211.Who recommends who should become ministers?

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

    The leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives becomes the Prime Minister. (Political parties and forming government)

12. 212.What is an area of government a minister is responsible for called?

    • AA department roll
    • BA commission
    • CAn electorate
    • DA portfolio

    An area of government a minister is responsible for is called a portfolio. (Political parties and forming government)

13. 213.What is the key decision-making body of the Australian Government?

    • AThe Australian Electoral Commission
    • BThe Senate
    • CThe High Court
    • DThe Cabinet

    Ministers with the most important portfolios make up the Cabinet, which is the key decision making body of government. (Political parties and forming government)

14. 214.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)

15. 215.What must happen before a Bill goes to the Governor-General?

    • AThe Cabinet must vote on it unanimously
    • BThe High Court must approve it
    • CA referendum must be held
    • DA majority in each House of Parliament must agree to it

    If the majority of members in each House of Parliament agree to the Bill, it goes to the Governor-General. (How laws are made)

16. 216.Who signs a Bill so that it becomes law?

    • AThe Governor-General
    • BThe Prime Minister
    • CThe Chief Justice
    • DThe Speaker of the House

    If the majority of members in each House of Parliament agree to the Bill, it goes to the Governor-General. (How laws are made)

17. 217.How do state and territory parliaments make their own laws?

    • ABy approval of the Australian Parliament
    • BBy referendum in that state or territory
    • CBy decision of the state governor alone
    • DIn a similar way to the Australian Parliament

    If the majority of members in each House of Parliament agree to the Bill, it goes to the Governor-General. (How laws are made)

18. 218.What is the role of the courts in Australia?

    • ATo decide if a person has broken the law and decide the penalty
    • BTo appoint the Governor-General and the state governors
    • CTo collect the taxes owed to the Commonwealth
    • DTo write the new laws that Parliament then approves

    A court will decide if a person has or has not broken the law and decide the penalty. (The courts, judges and juries)

19. 219.On what may a court base its decision?

    • AOnly the evidence before it
    • BThe recommendation of the police
    • CThe opinion of the government
    • DPublic opinion polls

    Courts can only base their decision on the evidence before them. (The courts, judges and juries)

20. 220.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)

21. 221.What can the government NOT do to a judge who rules against it?

    • ARequire them to give reasons to the Senate
    • BMove them to a different court against their wishes
    • COverturn their decision by an act of Cabinet
    • DTake their job away because it disagrees with their decision

    Judges and magistrates are appointed by the government, but the government cannot take their jobs away if it disagrees with their decisions. (The courts, judges and juries)

22. 222.How are people regarded in Australia’s court system before a verdict?

    • AGuilty if the police have charged them
    • BNeither innocent nor guilty until sentencing
    • CInnocent until they are found guilty in a court
    • DGuilty until they prove otherwise

    In Australia people are considered innocent until they are found guilty in a court. (The courts, judges and juries)

23. 223.How is a jury chosen?

    • ABy the judge from a shortlist
    • BRandomly from the general population
    • CBy the political parties
    • DBy the police from the electoral roll

    A jury is a group of ordinary Australian citizens randomly chosen from the general population. (The courts, judges and juries)

24. 224.Who explains the law to a jury?

    • AThe judge
    • BThe Attorney-General
    • CThe lawyer for the defence
    • DThe police

    The judge or magistrate is the highest authority in a court. (The courts, judges and juries)

25. 225.In a criminal trial, who decides the penalty if the jury finds a person guilty?

    • AThe jury
    • BThe judge
    • CThe police
    • DThe Attorney-General

    The judge or magistrate is the highest authority in a court. (The courts, judges and juries)

26. 226.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)

27. 227.What is the job of the police in Australia?

    • ATo make the laws that they are responsible for enforcing
    • BTo set the penalties that apply to particular crimes
    • CTo decide whether a person charged is guilty or not
    • DTo maintain peace and order and protect life and property

    The police maintain peace and order in the community and protect life and property. (The police)

28. 228.Which of these is true of Australia’s police forces?

    • AThey are directed by each state Premier
    • BThey are independent of the government
    • CThey report to the Prime Minister
    • DThey are controlled by the courts

    The police are independent of the government. (The police)

29. 229.Who decides whether a person is guilty after the police give evidence?

    • AThe police
    • BThe Governor-General
    • CThe court
    • DThe Attorney-General

    The police may give evidence in court, but the court decides if a person is guilty or not. (The police)

30. 230.What is Australia’s national police force called?

    • AThe National Police Service
    • BThe Australian Federal Police
    • CThe Commonwealth Constabulary
    • DThe Australian Security Police

    Australia has a national police force called the Australian Federal Police. (The police)

31. 231.Which crimes does the Australian Federal Police investigate?

    • ACrimes against federal laws, for example drug trafficking
    • BEvery crime committed in each of the six states
    • COnly crimes committed by Australians while overseas
    • DOnly traffic offences on roads between the states

    The Australian Federal Police investigates crimes against federal laws such as drug trafficking, crimes against national security and crimes against the environment. (The police)

32. 232.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)

33. 233.What happens if you try to bribe a police officer in Australia?

    • AIt is allowed in some states
    • BIt is a serious crime
    • CIt carries only a small fine
    • DIt is a minor infringement

    In Australia it is a serious crime to bribe the police. (The police)

34. 234.What happens if you break an Australian law you did not know about?

    • AYou could be charged, because not knowing the law is no excuse
    • BYou are excused on a first offence but not a second
    • CYou are excused if you arrived in Australia recently
    • DYou are excused if the law was passed only recently

    If you break an Australian law that you did not know about you could still be charged, as not knowing the law is no excuse. (Criminal and traffic offences)

35. 235.Which level of government controls road and traffic rules?

    • AThe Australian Federal Police
    • BState and territory governments
    • CLocal governments
    • DThe Australian Government

    Road and traffic rules are controlled by state and territory governments. (Criminal and traffic offences)

36. 236.What do you need in order to drive a car in Australia?

    • AA local driver’s licence, and the car must be registered
    • BA driving licence issued by your country of origin
    • CWritten permission from your local council
    • DAn international driving permit and nothing more

    To drive a car in Australia you must have a local driver's licence and the car must be registered. (Criminal and traffic offences)

37. 237.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

    To drive a car in Australia you must have a local driver's licence and the car must be registered. (Criminal and traffic offences)

38. 238.What must babies and young children travel in?

    • AThe front passenger seat
    • BA parent’s arms
    • CAn approved car seat
    • DA standard adult seatbelt

    Babies and young children must be in an approved car seat. (Criminal and traffic offences)

39. 239.Which of these is illegal while driving in Australia?

    • AListening to the radio
    • BUsing a hand-held mobile device
    • CCarrying more than three passengers
    • DDriving after dark

    It is against the law to use a hand-held mobile device while driving. (Criminal and traffic offences)

40. 240.What does Australian law say about domestic and family violence?

    • AIt is against the law and is not accepted
    • BIt applies only to married couples
    • CIt is a private family matter
    • DIt is only a crime if a weapon is used

    If you break an Australian law that you did not know about you could still be charged, as not knowing the law is no excuse. (Criminal and traffic offences)

41. 241.What are Australian values based on?

    • ALoyalty, obedience and service to the state
    • BFreedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity
    • CReligion, established custom and family heritage
    • DWealth, inherited tradition and social rank

    Australian values are based on freedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity. (Australian values and the Rule of Law)

42. 242.To whom do Australian laws apply?

    • AOnly people born in Australia
    • BAll people in Australia
    • COnly adults over 18
    • DOnly Australian citizens

    Australian laws apply to all people in Australia, regardless of background or culture. (Australian values and the Rule of Law)

43. 243.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. 244.When should you follow the law in Australia?

    • AOnly in public places
    • BOnly when it suits your circumstances
    • CAt all times, even if no one is watching
    • DOnly when police are present

    You should follow the law even if no one is watching. (Australian values and the Rule of Law)

45. 245.Who determines Australia’s laws?

    • AThe High Court of Australia, sitting in Canberra
    • BThe Cabinet alone, without reference to Parliament
    • CThe King of Australia, advised by the Governor-General
    • DParliaments elected by the people

    Australia's laws are determined by parliaments elected by the people. (Parliamentary democracy as a value)

46. 246.What does compulsory voting show about Australian values?

    • AThe importance of participating in elections
    • BThat elections are rarely held
    • CThat only citizens may hold opinions
    • DThat citizens distrust politicians

    Voting is compulsory in Australia, which shows the importance of participating in elections. (Parliamentary democracy as a value)

47. 247.How are Australian citizens involved in how the country is governed?

    • AThey vote for people to represent them in parliament
    • BThey are consulted by the Governor-General
    • CThey vote directly on every law
    • DThey elect judges to the High Court

    Voting is compulsory in Australia, which shows the importance of participating in elections. (Parliamentary democracy as a value)

48. 248.What is a limit on freedom of speech in Australia?

    • APeaceful protest requires a permit from the police
    • BCriticising the government is not permitted at all
    • CIt is never acceptable to promote violence against another person or group
    • DNewspapers may not comment on elections or parties

    It is never acceptable to promote violence against another person or group of people. (Freedom of speech and freedom of association as values)

49. 249.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)

50. 250.Which of these is illegal in Australia?

    • APublishing an editorial in a newspaper
    • BJoining a trade union or a political party
    • CMaking false allegations or encouraging others to break the law
    • DCriticising a decision made by the government

    It is illegal to make false allegations or encourage others to break the law. (Freedom of speech and freedom of association as values)