Where can you read or listen to Our Common Bond?

Where can you read or listen to Our Common Bond?

Home Affairs puts the booklet online for free, in English and 40 community languages. There is also a podcast, and the AMEPOnline modules turn the same content into lessons for people learning English.

All test questions come from the booklet. So this is your main study material. The other tools are different ways to take in the same content.

Read the booklet

Go to the Home Affairs page for Our Common Bond. You can read it online or download it. Home Affairs says it is highly recommended that you read it before the test.

The booklet starts with some general pages about the test and the ceremony. Then it has Parts 1 to 4, which are the part that the test uses. After those, you will find a glossary and extra information. You do not need to study the pages after Part 4 for the test.

If you want a plain-English map of what is inside, see Our Common Bond explained.

Read it in your own language

The booklet is available in 40 community languages. Use your language to understand the ideas first. This is a good way to take away the stress of hard words.

But the test is in English only. After you understand an idea in your own language, find the English words for it and learn them. Words like "Parliament", "Senate" and "Constitution" will come up in English.

A good method is two columns on paper: your language on the left, English on the right. Learn the English side.

Listen to the podcast

Home Affairs has an Our Common Bond podcast. It helps when you cannot sit with a book, for example on a bus or during a walk. Listening also helps you hear how the English words sound.

Treat the podcast as a way to repeat what you have already read. Reading first, then listening, usually works better than the other way round. The podcast does not replace checking the booklet for the exact lists.

Use the AMEPOnline modules

The AMEPOnline citizenship modules are for English language learners. They use characters, storylines and activities to help you work through the booklet content. They suit you if long pages of plain text feel heavy.

Home Affairs also suggests the general AMEP program if you want to improve your English to help you prepare.

Which parts should you read first?

Read in this order if you are short on time:

1. Part 4, Australian values. You must get all 5 of its questions right.
2. Part 3, government and the law. It is the longest, so start it early.
3. Part 2, democratic beliefs, rights and liberties. It is mostly lists.
4. Part 1, Australia and its people. Mostly facts to remember.

Each part has its own page here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Australian values.

What do you do after reading?

Test yourself. Reading is not the same as knowing. The free practice test takes 45 minutes and shows what you remember. For more about the loop of reading and testing, see how to study.

If you want the booklet itself, here is the Our Common Bond page on the Home Affairs site.

Check yourself

• Which format suits you best, text, audio or the modules?
• In which language will you read first, and how will you learn the English words?
• Which part will you open first tonight?