Australian Citizenship Test practice test 8

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All 20 questions and answers

1. 1.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)

2. 2.What does Australian law say about violence against a spouse or partner?

   • AIt is never acceptable and is a criminal offence
   • BIt is a private matter for the family
   • CIt is treated as a civil dispute
   • DIt is only an offence if reported

   Physical violence against a spouse or partner is never acceptable and is a criminal offence in Australia. (Equality of all people under the law)

3. 3.What do the points of the white star on the Torres Strait Islander Flag represent?

   • AThe six states and the territories
   • BThe island groups in the Torres Strait
   • CThe clans of the Torres Strait
   • DThe five oceans

   The points of the white star on the Torres Strait Islander Flag represent the island groups in the Torres Strait, and white symbolises peace. (The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag)

4. 4.What does the black half of the Australian Aboriginal Flag represent?

   • AThe sun and the warmth it brings to the land
   • BThe Aboriginal peoples of Australia
   • CThe land as it was before European settlement
   • DThe seas surrounding the Australian continent

   The top half of the Australian Aboriginal Flag is black and represents the Aboriginal peoples of Australia. (The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag)

5. 5.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)

6. 6.What can happen to a self-governing territory’s laws?

   • AThey can be changed only by a national referendum
   • BThey cannot be changed at all once they are passed
   • CThey can be changed only by the High Court of Australia
   • DThey can be altered or revoked by the Australian Government at any time

   Self-governing territory laws can be altered or revoked by the Australian Government at any time. (State, territory and local government)

7. 7.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)

8. 8.What was Australia called after the colonies united?

   • AThe Federation of New South Wales
   • BThe United Colonies of Australia
   • CThe Dominion of Australia
   • DThe Commonwealth of Australia

   In 1901 the separate colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia. (The nation of Australia)

9. 9.What are Australians obliged not to undermine?

   • AAustralia’s interests and security
   • BThe reputation of the governing party
   • CThe decisions of the courts
   • DThe traditions of other countries

   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)

10. 10.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)

11. 11.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)

12. 12.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)

13. 13.Equality of opportunity in Australia applies regardless of what?

    • AHow long a person has lived in Australia
    • BGender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race or ethnic origin
    • CWhich state or territory of Australia a person lives in
    • DWhether a person owns property or rents a home

    Australian society values the equal rights of all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race, or national or ethnic origin. (Equality of all people under the law)

14. 14.What is Australia’s capital city?

    • ACanberra
    • BSydney
    • CMelbourne
    • DBrisbane

    Canberra is Australia's capital city. (States, territories and capital cities)

15. 15.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)

16. 16.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)

17. 17.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)

18. 18.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. 19.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)

20. 20.What kinds of abuse are illegal in Australia?

    • APhysical abuse only
    • BVerbal and physical abuse
    • CAbuse causing visible injury only
    • DAbuse in public places only

    Violence of any kind, including verbal and physical abuse, is illegal in Australia. (Mutual respect and tolerance for others)