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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. 1.What system of government does Australia have?

   • AA one-party state
   • BA parliamentary democracy
   • CAn absolute monarchy
   • DA presidential republic

   Australia's system of government is a parliamentary democracy. (Parliamentary democracy)

2. 2.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)

3. 3.How must representatives in parliament answer to the people?

   • AThrough elections
   • BThrough the Governor-General
   • CThrough public petitions
   • DThrough the courts

   Representatives in parliament must answer to the people, through elections, for the decisions they make. (Parliamentary democracy)

4. 4.What does the Rule of Law mean in Australia?

   • ANo person, group or religious rule is above the law
   • BReligious law applies to believers
   • CMinisters are immune from prosecution
   • DParliament may set aside the courts

   The Rule of Law means that no person, group or religious rule is above the law. (The Rule of Law)

5. 5.Who must obey Australia’s laws?

   • AOnly Australian citizens
   • BEveryone, including people who hold positions of power
   • CEveryone except elected representatives
   • DEveryone except the police

   Everyone, including people who hold positions of power, must obey Australia's laws. (The Rule of Law)

6. 6.Which of these groups is bound by the Rule of Law?

   • AGovernment, community and religious leaders
   • BOnly public servants
   • COnly people born in Australia
   • DOnly the courts

   The Rule of Law applies to government, community and religious leaders, business people and the police. (The Rule of Law)

7. 7.How do Australians believe change should happen?

   • AThrough decisions handed down by religious leaders
   • BThrough discussion, peaceful persuasion and the democratic process
   • CThrough protest that damages property to force action
   • DThrough the courts alone, rather than through parliament

   Australians believe that change should occur through discussion, peaceful persuasion and the democratic process. (Living peacefully and respect for all)

8. 8.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)

9. 9.On what principle does Australia’s democratic system rest?

   • AOnly Australian citizens hold rights under the law
   • BRights depend on how long a person has lived here
   • CEvery individual has rights and equality under Australian law
   • DRights are granted to people by religious leaders

   Every individual, regardless of their background, has rights and equality under Australian law. (Living peacefully and respect for all)

10. 10.How are all Australians expected to treat each other?

    • AAccording to their wealth
    • BAccording to their country of origin
    • CWith dignity and respect
    • DAccording to their religion

    All Australians are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, heritage, culture, politics, wealth or religion. (Living peacefully and respect for all)

11. 11.What does freedom of speech mean in Australia?

    • APeople may say anything without any legal limit
    • BPeople can say and write what they think and discuss their ideas
    • COnly elected representatives may criticise the government
    • DPeople may speak freely only in private

    Freedom of speech means people can say and write what they think and discuss their ideas with others. (Freedom of speech and freedom of expression)

12. 12.Which of these is permitted under freedom of speech in Australia?

    • ACriticising the government and campaigning to change laws
    • BMaking false allegations against others
    • CInjuring a person during a protest
    • DDamaging property during a protest

    People can criticise the government, protest peacefully against government decisions and campaign to change laws. (Freedom of speech and freedom of expression)

13. 13.What does freedom of expression allow people to do?

    • ABreak the law where necessary to make a political point
    • BMeet for discussion in private places but not public ones
    • CRefuse to obey an order made against them by a court
    • DExpress their views through art, film, music and literature

    Freedom of expression means people can express their views through art, film, music and literature. (Freedom of speech and freedom of expression)

14. 14.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)

15. 15.What is freedom of association?

    • AThe right to a fair trial before a judge and jury
    • BThe right to refuse to obey a law you disagree with
    • CThe right to form and join associations to pursue common goals
    • DThe right to hold public office in an Australian parliament

    Freedom of association is the right to form and join associations to pursue common goals. (Freedom of association and freedom of religion)

16. 16.Can a person in Australia be forced to join an organisation?

    • ANo, people can decide not to join and cannot be forced
    • BYes, if it is a registered trade union
    • CYes, if their employer requires it
    • DYes, if it is a political party

    People can decide not to join an organisation and cannot be forced into doing so. (Freedom of association and freedom of religion)

17. 17.Does Australia have an official national religion?

    • ANo, Australia has no official national religion
    • BYes, the government appoints religious leaders
    • CYes, Christianity is the official religion
    • DYes, but only for citizenship ceremonies

    Australia has no official national religion. (Freedom of association and freedom of religion)

18. 18.What does it mean that the government in Australia is secular?

    • AIt bans religious practice in all public places
    • BIt appoints the heads of churches and other faiths
    • CIt requires Australian citizens to be non-religious
    • DIt operates separately from churches or other religious entities

    The government in Australia is secular, which means it operates separately from churches or other religious entities. (Freedom of association and freedom of religion)

19. 19.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)

20. 20.Which public holidays does Australia have on Christian days?

    • AGood Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day
    • BNew Year’s Day and Labour Day
    • CAnzac Day and Australia Day
    • DThe King’s Birthday and Boxing Day

    Australia has public holidays on Christian days such as Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. (Freedom of association and freedom of religion)

21. 21.What is often called a ‘fair go’ in Australia?

    • AEqual opportunity in society
    • BFreedom of association
    • CCompulsory voting
    • DThe right to a jury trial

    Australians value equal opportunity in society, which is often called a 'fair go'. (Equality of opportunity and a fair go)

22. 22.Under a ‘fair go’, what should determine what someone achieves in life?

    • ATheir length of residence
    • BTheir talents, work and effort
    • CTheir wealth and background
    • DTheir religion

    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)

23. 23.What do Australian anti-discrimination laws cover?

    • AGender, race, disability and age
    • BOnly employment disputes
    • COnly gender
    • DOnly race and religion

    Australian laws ensure a person is not treated differently because of their gender, race, disability or age. (Equality of opportunity and a fair go)

24. 24.What does Australian society aim to have no formal version of?

    • ATrade unions
    • BPolitical parties
    • CClass distinctions
    • DReligious groups

    Australian society has no formal class distinctions. (Equality of opportunity and a fair go)

25. 25.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)

26. 26.From what age is voting a responsibility for Australian citizens?

    • A25 years or over
    • B16 years or over
    • C21 years or over
    • D18 years or over

    Voting is a responsibility for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over. (Responsibilities of Australian citizenship)

27. 27.What does Australian law require of citizens at election time?

    • AVoting is encouraged but optional
    • BVoting is compulsory in Australian elections
    • CVoting is compulsory only in referendums
    • DOnly citizens over 21 need vote

    Voting is compulsory in federal and state or territory elections. (Responsibilities of Australian citizenship)

28. 28.In which elections may voting not be compulsory in some states?

    • ALocal government elections
    • BReferendums
    • CState and territory elections
    • DFederal elections

    It may not be compulsory to vote in local government elections in some states. (Responsibilities of Australian citizenship)

29. 29.Is service in the Australian Defence Force compulsory?

    • AYes, but for men only and not for women
    • BNo, it is voluntary, but defending Australia is a responsibility
    • CYes, in any year in which a referendum is held
    • DYes, for all Australian citizens aged between 18 and 30

    Service in the Australian Defence Force is voluntary, but defending Australia should the need arise is a responsibility of citizens. (Responsibilities of Australian citizenship)

30. 30.What is a referendum?

    • AA vote to change the Australian Constitution
    • BA vote to elect the Prime Minister
    • CA vote to approve the federal budget
    • DA vote to choose a state Premier

    A referendum is a vote to change the Australian Constitution. (Responsibilities of Australian citizenship)

31. 31.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)

32. 32.Which of these is a privilege of Australian citizenship?

    • APay less tax than other residents
    • BRefuse jury service
    • CIgnore the laws of other countries
    • DApply for an Australian passport

    As an Australian citizen you can apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely. (Privileges of Australian citizenship)

33. 33.Who can seek election to an Australian parliament?

    • AOnly citizens who were born in Australia itself
    • BCitizens aged 18 or over who are not dual citizens
    • COnly Australian citizens aged 21 years or over
    • DAny resident of Australia aged 18 years or over

    Australian citizens aged 18 years or over who are not dual citizens can seek election to parliament. (Privileges of Australian citizenship)

34. 34.What can Australian citizens apply for on behalf of children born overseas?

    • ADual nationality with the other country
    • BAn automatic Australian passport at birth
    • CExemption from the citizenship test
    • DAustralian citizenship by descent

    As an Australian citizen you can apply for children born overseas to become Australian citizens by descent. (Privileges of Australian citizenship)

35. 35.What help can you ask an Australian official for while overseas?

    • APayment of medical bills in full
    • BConsular assistance in times of need
    • CExemption from local laws
    • DFree flights back to Australia

    As an Australian citizen you can vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum. (Privileges of Australian citizenship)

36. 36.What do you need to re-enter Australia as an Australian citizen?

    • AA consular exit permit
    • BPermission from the Governor-General
    • CNothing — you are free to return without a visa
    • DA returning-resident visa

    If you travel overseas as an Australian citizen you are free to return to Australia without the need for a visa. (Privileges of Australian citizenship)

37. 37.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)

38. 38.Which body collects tax in Australia?

    • AThe Australian Federal Police
    • BThe Australian Taxation Office
    • CThe Reserve Bank of Australia
    • DThe Australian Electoral Commission

    Tax is collected by the Australian Taxation Office. (Participating in Australian society and paying tax)

39. 39.Is paying tax optional in Australia?

    • AYes, for temporary residents
    • BYes, for people who do not vote
    • CNo, it is required by law
    • DYes, for people under 21

    Paying tax is an important way to contribute to the Australian community and is required by law. (Participating in Australian society and paying tax)

40. 40.What are Australian taxes spent on?

    • AHealthcare, education, defence, roads and social security
    • BHealthcare and education, but no other services
    • CDefence and foreign affairs, but no other services
    • DLocal council services such as rubbish collection only

    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)

41. 41.Which of these is a way of actively participating in Australian society?

    • AVolunteering to do social and community work
    • BDeclining to vote at federal and state elections
    • CRefusing to serve on a jury when called to do so
    • DAvoiding paying tax on money earned from a business

    Paying tax is an important way to contribute to the Australian community and is required by law. (Participating in Australian society and paying tax)