Australian values and the rule that all 5 questions must be right
Last updated 22 October 2026
Everything on the test is in the free booklet, Our Common Bond. We help you practise reading the questions the way the test asks them.
Part 4 is the shortest testable part, about six pages. It is also the one that decides the result.
The rule
To pass, you need 15 of 20 right. You must also answer every Australian values question correctly. There is no allowance for one miss. Home Affairs added the values questions in November 2020.
This changes how you study. In Parts 1 to 3, a wrong answer costs one mark. In Part 4, a wrong answer can cost the whole test. So give Part 4 your best reading.
The values, one by one
Rule of Law. Everyone is equal before the law. No person or group is above it. You follow the law even when nobody is watching. Laws apply to all people in Australia, whatever their culture.
Parliamentary democracy. Parliaments elected by the people make the laws. Voting is compulsory.
Freedom of speech. You can say and write what you think, and discuss it with others. Newspapers, television and radio have the same freedom. Peaceful protest is allowed. Promoting violence against a person or group is never acceptable. It is also illegal to make false allegations.
Freedom of association. You can join or leave any legal group. No one can force you to join or to leave. Protests must be peaceful and must not hurt people or damage property.
Freedom of religion. Australia has no national religion. The government treats all citizens equally. Religious laws have no legal status here. Practices such as forced marriage and having more than one spouse are against the law.
Equality of all people under the law. Equal rights, whatever a person's gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race or origin. Men and women have equal rights. Violence against a partner is a crime. Divorce is accepted.
Equality of opportunity and a "fair go". A person should get a job on skills and experience, not on gender, wealth or ethnicity.
Mutual respect and tolerance. Listen to other views, even when you disagree. Violence of any kind, including verbal abuse, is illegal. Racism has no place here. The lawful actions of the police should be supported.
Community. Make a contribution and support yourself and your family when you can. Help others in need, which Australians call mateship. Make an effort to learn English. Help keep society safe, for example by reporting a child being abused. Keep your loyalty to Australia. You may hold another citizenship if that country's laws allow it, but you must follow Australian law at all times.
Where people slip
Two habits help with any values question.
- Pick the answer that keeps the law, protects people, and treats others as equals.
- Watch for words such as NOT, EXCEPT and ALWAYS. Read how to read the trap words.
Practise the values questions
Our mock has five values questions among its twenty. They are scored apart, and the result tells you if a values question stopped you. The split is our design for practice.
Last checked against Our Common Bond (2020): 22 October 2026
Questions people ask
How many Australian values questions are there?
Home Affairs counts five. You must answer all five correctly to pass.
What if I get 19 of 20 but miss a values question?
You do not pass. The values rule is separate from the score. Home Affairs books another appointment at no cost.
Where are the values in the booklet?
In Part 4, Australian values. Part 2 holds the same beliefs in list form, so read it too.
Are the values questions harder than the others?
They are not harder in content. They matter more, because one wrong answer decides the result. Read each slowly.