What topics come up in the Australian citizenship test?

What topics come up in the Australian citizenship test?

The test covers four parts of the booklet Our Common Bond. They are Australia and its people; democratic beliefs, rights and liberties; government and the law; and Australian values. There are 20 questions, and every one comes from those four parts.

Below is a map of the topics. Each topic has a short link to an article that explains it in plain words. This page is study help. It does not list test questions or answers.

Part 1: Australia and its people

Part 1 is about the story of the country and its symbols. It has the most facts to remember, so use cards.

First peoples. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were here first and have the oldest continuous cultures in the world. Read what the booklet says in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

States, territories and capitals. Six states and two mainland territories, each with a capital city, plus Canberra for the nation. See Australia's states and territories.

Important days. Two days with different moods: one for celebrating the country, one for remembering those who served. See Australia Day and Anzac Day.

Flags and symbols. Three flags, a Coat of Arms, a national flower, colours and a gemstone. They are easy to mix up, so learn them in two groups: the flags and the national symbols.

More on this part: Part 1 of Our Common Bond.

Part 2: democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

Part 2 is mostly lists. Learn each list as a set, then check which item belongs where.

Democratic beliefs. Parliamentary democracy, the Rule of Law, living peacefully, and respect for every person. See Australia's democratic beliefs.

Freedoms. Speech and expression, association and religion, each with limits set by the law. See freedoms in Australia.

Responsibilities and privileges. What a citizen gives and what a citizen can do. The lists look alike, so read them with care. See rights and responsibilities of citizens.

More on this part: Part 2 of Our Common Bond.

Part 3: government and the law

Part 3 is the longest part. It has many names and steps, so give it the most time.

Voting. Enrolment and voting are compulsory for citizens aged 18 and over, and the vote is secret. See voting in Australia.

Levels of government. Federal, state and territory, and local, each with its own jobs. See the three levels of government.

The Constitution. The legal document that set up the nation in 1901, and how a referendum can change it. See the Australian Constitution.

Separation of powers. Making laws, putting them into practice and judging them are split between different bodies. See the separation of powers.

Parliament. Two houses, how a Bill becomes law, and how the Prime Minister leads the government. See how Parliament works.

Head of State. The King, the Governor-General and the governors, and why Australia is called a constitutional monarchy. See Australia's Head of State.

Courts and police. Who makes the laws, who enforces them and why judges are independent. See courts and the law.

More on this part: Part 3 of Our Common Bond.

Part 4: Australian values

Part 4 is the part with the strict rule. The 5 values questions all need a correct answer. The values are the Rule of Law, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech, association and religion, equality, a fair go, mutual respect, and life in the community.

Read Australian values and then the values questions guide. Many Part 4 ideas also appear in the Part 2 topics above, such as democratic beliefs and freedoms. Learn them once, and you help both parts.

After the test: the pledge and the ceremony

These are not topics of their own, but the pledge ties back to the ideas above. See the Australian Citizenship Pledge and what happens at a citizenship ceremony.

How to use this map

Pick one topic a day. Read the short article, then read the matching pages in the booklet. Say the main idea aloud. Then take a few questions on it.

When you have covered every topic, take the free practice test. It mixes the parts. Look at the score and also at your values result, then go back to the weak topics.

Check yourself

• Can you name the four parts and say what each is about?
• Which topic do you know least, and when will you study it?
• Can you say each Part 4 value as a short rule?