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Citizenship test cheat sheet
100 key facts from Parts 1 to 4 of Our Common Bond, each with its page
Use this to revise, not instead of the booklet: the test can ask about anything in Parts 1 to 4. And remember the values rule: all 5 values questions must be right.
Part 1: Australia and its people
| Topic | What to know | Page |
|---|---|---|
| When did the First Fleet arrive? | 26 January 1788: 11 convict ships from Great Britain, led by Captain Arthur Phillip. | page 8 |
| When did Federation happen? | 1 January 1901. The six colonies became the Commonwealth of Australia. | page 9 |
| How many states and territories? | Six states and two mainland territories. Canberra, in the ACT, is the national capital. | page 10 |
| Australia Day | 26 January: the anniversary of the First Fleet's arrival in 1788. A public holiday everywhere. | page 13 |
| Anzac Day | 25 April: the Anzacs landed at Gallipoli, Türkiye, in 1915, in World War I. A day to remember all who served. | page 13 |
| Australia's first inhabitants | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: the oldest continuous cultures in the world. | page 8 |
| When did Aboriginal peoples arrive? | The archaeological record says between 65,000 and 40,000 years ago. | page 8 |
| Where are Torres Strait Islanders from? | Islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea. | page 8 |
| First Governor of New South Wales | Captain Arthur Phillip. | page 8 |
| The gold rush | Began in 1851 in New South Wales and Victoria. Chinese people were the first large group of non-European migrants. | page 8 |
| Population in 1901 | About four million, not counting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. | page 9 |
| National language | English. Other languages are valued too, including more than 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. | page 9 |
| Capitals: NSW, Vic, Qld, WA | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth. | page 10 |
| Capitals: SA, Tas, ACT, NT | Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Darwin. | page 10 |
| Largest and smallest states | Largest: Western Australia. Smallest: Tasmania. Smallest mainland state: Victoria. | page 11 |
| Welcome to Country | Performed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local land, usually first at an event. | page 12 |
| Acknowledgement of Country | Recognises the gathering is on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land. Anyone can deliver it. | page 12 |
| The Australian National Flag | Blue, white and red: the Union Jack (top left), the Commonwealth Star (below it) and the Southern Cross. | page 14 |
| Commonwealth Star | Seven points: one for each of the six states and one for the territories. | page 14 |
| The Aboriginal Flag | Black (the Aboriginal peoples), red (the earth) and a yellow circle (the sun). | page 14 |
| The Torres Strait Islander Flag | Green (land), blue (sea), black lines (the people), a white dancer's headdress and a white star (island groups). | page 14 |
| Commonwealth Coat of Arms | A shield for the states and federation, held by a kangaroo and an emu, with a gold Commonwealth Star. | page 15 |
| National flower and colours | The golden wattle. The national colours, green and gold, are the colours of the wattle. | page 15 |
| National gemstone | The opal. In Aboriginal legend, a rainbow touched the earth and created its colours. | page 15 |
| National anthem | 'Advance Australia Fair', sung at citizenship ceremonies and major sporting events. | page 16 |
Part 2: Democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
| Topic | What to know | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Parliamentary democracy | Citizens vote for representatives in parliament, who answer to the people through elections. | page 18 |
| The Rule of Law | Everyone is equal under the law. No person, group or religious rule is above it. | page 18 |
| The four responsibilities | Obey the law. Vote in elections and referendums. Defend Australia if needed. Serve on a jury if called. | page 20 |
| A 'fair go' | Equal opportunity: what you achieve comes from your talents, work and effort, not wealth or background. | page 20 |
| Freedom of religion | No official religion. Follow any religion, or none. Australian law wins over religious practice. | page 19 |
| Living peacefully | Change comes through discussion, peaceful persuasion and the democratic process. Violence is rejected. | page 18 |
| Respect for all | Every individual, whatever their background, has rights and equality under Australian law. | page 18 |
| Freedom of speech | Say and write what you think, criticise the government and campaign for change, always within the law. | page 19 |
| Freedom of expression | Express views through art, film, music and literature, and meet in public or private for discussion. | page 19 |
| Freedom of association | Join any legal group, such as a party, union or religious group. No one can be forced to join. | page 19 |
| A secular government | The government operates separately from churches and other religious entities. | page 19 |
| Christian public holidays | Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. Australia has a Judaeo-Christian heritage. | page 19 |
| Gender equality | Men and women have equal rights. Discriminating because of gender is against the law. | page 20 |
| Privileges of citizenship | Vote, seek election, work in the APS or ADF, get a passport, consular help overseas, citizenship by descent. | page 20 |
| Who must vote? | Australian citizens aged 18 or over, in federal and state or territory elections and referendums. | page 21 |
| What is a referendum? | A vote to change the Australian Constitution. | page 21 |
| Local council elections | Voting may not be compulsory in local government elections in some states. | page 21 |
| Defence Force service | Voluntary, but citizens have a responsibility to defend Australia should the need arise. | page 21 |
| Jury service | Citizens aged 18 or over on the electoral roll can be called. A jury decides guilty or not guilty. | page 21 |
| Who can seek election? | Australian citizens aged 18 or over who are not dual citizens. | page 22 |
| Returning to Australia | Citizens can get an Australian passport and return from overseas without a visa. | page 22 |
| Help overseas | Ask an Australian embassy, high commission or consulate. You must still obey the local laws. | page 22 |
| Children born overseas | Citizens can apply for them to become Australian citizens by descent. | page 22 |
| Paying tax | Required by law, collected by the ATO. Pays for healthcare, education, defence, roads and social security. | page 22 |
| Taking part | Join community groups, volunteer, join arts or cultural groups, and take part in political life. | page 22 |
Part 3: Government and the law
| Topic | What to know | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Head of State | The King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III. He has no day-to-day role in government. | page 26 |
| Governor-General | The King's representative in Australia, appointed on the Prime Minister's advice. Neutral, not part of government. | page 26 |
| How many senators? | 76 in total: 12 from each state, and 2 each from the ACT and the Northern Territory. | page 28 |
| The three powers | Legislative (Parliament makes laws), executive (puts laws into practice), judicial (judges interpret laws). | page 26 |
| The three levels of government | Australian (federal), state and territory, and local government (councils). | page 28 |
| Enrolling to vote | Citizens aged 18 or over must enrol. If you are not correctly enrolled, you cannot vote. | page 24 |
| Australian Electoral Commission | Independent. Runs federal elections and referendums and keeps the electoral roll. | page 24 |
| Secret ballot | No one may know how you voted unless you tell them. Not voting without a good reason can mean a fine. | page 24 |
| The Australian Constitution | Sets the basic rules for government. Passed by the British Parliament in 1900, in effect 1 January 1901. | page 25 |
| Double majority | A majority of voters in a majority of states, and a majority of voters across the nation. | page 25 |
| The 1967 Referendum | More than 90 per cent voted 'Yes' to count Aboriginal peoples in the Census. | page 25 |
| The High Court | Set up by the Constitution. Has the ultimate power to apply and interpret Australia's laws. | page 25 |
| Constitutional monarchy | The King is Head of State but must act according to the Constitution. His powers pass to the Governor-General. | page 26 |
| The Governor-General's role | Royal Assent, ceremonial duties, approving appointments, starting federal elections, Commander-in-Chief. | page 27 |
| Leaders of governments | Prime Minister (Australia), Premier (state), Chief Minister (territory), Mayor or Shire President (council). | page 27 |
| House of Representatives | The Lower House or People's House. Over 150 MPs, by population, one for each electorate. | page 28 |
| The Senate | The Upper House, House of Review or States' House. All states are equally represented. | page 28 |
| States vs territories | States have rights under the Constitution. The Australian Government can change territory laws. | page 28 |
| Australian Government jobs | Defence, immigration and citizenship, tax, social security, foreign affairs, trade, post, airports. | page 29 |
| State and territory jobs | Hospitals, schools, roads and railways, forestry, police and ambulance, public transport. | page 29 |
| Local government jobs | Rubbish, local roads, parks and pools, libraries, building permits, food inspection, animal control. | page 29 |
| Forming a government | The party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives. Its leader is Prime Minister. | page 30 |
| The Cabinet | Ministers with the most important portfolios: the key decision-making body of government. | page 30 |
| How a Bill becomes law | Both Houses debate and vote. If each agrees, the Governor-General signs it: Royal Assent. | page 30 |
| Courts and police | Courts are independent and decide guilt and penalty. Police arrest; the court decides. Offering a bribe is a crime. | page 31 |
Part 4: Australian values
| Topic | What to know | Page |
|---|---|---|
| The values questions | The test has 5 values questions and all 5 must be right, plus 75% overall, to pass. | page 3 |
| Religious laws | Have no legal status. Australian law applies to everyone, even where it differs from religious law. | page 35 |
| Marriage and the law | Polygamy and forced marriage are illegal. Two men or two women can marry. Either partner can divorce. | page 35 |
| Limits on free speech | Never promote violence against a group. Making false allegations or urging crime is illegal. | page 35 |
| Mateship | Helping each other in times of need, like taking a meal to an elderly neighbour. Volunteering. | page 38 |
| Australian values | Based on freedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity. | page 34 |
| Who follows Australian law? | Everyone in Australia, whatever their background or culture. | page 34 |
| The Rule of Law in daily life | No one is above the law. Obey it even when no one is watching, or face penalties. | page 34 |
| Peaceful protest | Allowed against the government: tolerance of peaceful protest is an essential part of democracy. | page 35 |
| Joining groups | Free to join or leave any lawful group. No one can be forced to join or made to stay. | page 35 |
| Religion and equality | No official religion. The government treats all citizens equally. Religious intolerance is not accepted. | page 35 |
| Equality under the law | Equal rights regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race or origin. | page 36 |
| Men and women | Equal rights: education, jobs, voting, parliament, the Defence Force, police and the courts. | page 36 |
| Jobs and qualifications | A woman has the right to a job ahead of a man if she has better qualifications and skills. | page 36 |
| Violence against a partner | Never acceptable, and a criminal offence. | page 36 |
| A fair go at work | Jobs go on skills and experience, not gender, wealth or ethnicity. The law backs choosing the best person. | page 36 |
| Violence and abuse | Violence of any kind, verbal or physical, is illegal. Disagree peacefully. | page 37 |
| Age of sexual consent | 16 or 17, depending on the state or territory. | page 37 |
| Lawful police requests | Obey them, and support the lawful actions of the police. | page 37 |
| Racism | Has no place in Australia, online or in person, including abuse at sporting events. | page 37 |
| Learning English | The national language and a unifying element. Applicants must make reasonable efforts to learn it. | page 38 |
| Keeping society safe | Report a suspected serious crime to authorities, and child abuse to police. | page 38 |
| Cyber abuse | Not accepted, and often illegal: sharing intimate images without consent, online stalking, racist comments. | page 38 |
| Dual citizenship | Allowed if the other country permits. In Australia you must follow all Australian laws at all times. | page 38 |
| Making a contribution | Take part in society, and support yourself and your family when you are able to. | page 38 |
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Written from Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. CitizenOz is not affiliated with the Australian Government.