Test your understanding of Australia, its government and values with this practice Australian Citizenship Test! Read on for information about frequently asked questions to help you stay confident on exam day.
Australian Citizenship Practice Test
Feel assured about your path to citizenship by answering the free Australian citizenship test practice below.
It is a short quiz with 20 questions, crafted in the format and wording that the actual Australian citizenship test uses.
To pass, you must:
- correctly answer at least 15 of the 20 questions (75%)
- correctly answer all five questions surrounding Australian Values
1. Which House of the Australian Parliament is also known as the Upper House?
Answer: B. The Senate
A. The House of Representatives
B. The Senate
C. The Parliament
D. The Federation
2. The capital of South Australia (SA) is.
A. Canberra
B. Darwin
C. Brisbane
D. Adelaide
Answer: D. Adelaide
3. Which of the following statements about the Australian flag is incorrect?
A. The Southern Cross is placed on the right side of the flag.
B. The Union Jack represents the flag of the United Kingdom.
C. The Commonwealth Star has a total of six points.
D. The Australian flag is made up of the colours blue, red and white.
Answer: C. The Commonwealth Star has a total of six points.
4. Which is the second largest state of Australia by area?
A. Victoria
B. Queensland
C. Western Australia
D. Tasmania
Answer: B. Queensland
5. Which of the following statements about Anzac Day is correct?
A. It is commemorated on 25 April of each year.
B. It is the biggest annual public holiday in Australia.
C. It celebrates the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet from Great Britain.
D. During this day, the Australian of the Year Awards is announced.
Answer: A. It is commemorated on 25 April of each year.
6. What are the colours of the Torres Strait Islander Flag?
A. Black, red and yellow
B. Yellow, black, white and green
C. Blue, red and white
D. Green, blue, black and white
Answer: D. Green, blue, black and white
7. Which arm of government has the power to make and change the laws in Australia?
A. Legislative
B. Executive
C. Judicial
D. Governor General
Answer: A. Legislative
8. Which of the following statements about voting in Australian elections is incorrect?
A. If you do not vote in an election and do not have a good reason for not voting, you may have to pay a fine.
B. Voting is by a show of hands.
C. The agency responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums is the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
D. Voting is compulsory in Australian elections.
Answer: B. Voting is by a show of hands.
9. What is the legal document that sets out the basic rules for the Australian government?
A. The Australian Commonwealth
B. The Australian Parliament
C. The Australian Federation
D. The Australian Constitution
Answer: D. The Australian Constitution
10. Which of the following does not fall under the responsibilities of the local governments (and the Australian Capital Territory)?
A. Building permits
B. Local roads, footpaths, bridges
C. Social security (pensions and family support)
D. Street signs, traffic controls
Answer: C. Social security (pensions and family support)
11. Which government agency is responsible for delivering health, social and welfare payments and services through Medicare, Centrelink and Child Support?
A. Services Australia
B. Australian Digital Health Agency
C. Australian Signals Directorate
D. Comcare Australia
Answer: A. Services Australia
12. What is a referendum?
A. A vote to change the government
B. A vote to change the Australian Constitution
C. A vote to change the Prime Minister
D. A vote to change the national anthem
Answer: B. A vote to change the Australian Constitution
13. Which of the following about Australian citizenship is incorrect?
A. Citizens are obliged to pay the correct amount of tax to the government.
B. Citizens must vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum.
C. Citizens must apply for a visa to re-enter Australia.
D. Citizens can apply for a job in the Australian Public Service.
Answer: C. Citizens must apply for a visa to re-enter Australia.
14. Which of these is not an example of equality in Australia?
A. Men and women have equal rights.
B. All Australian citizens can ask for help from the Australian embassy when abroad.
C. Everyone follows a single religion endorsed by the Parliament.
D. Everyone, regardless of race, colour, national or ethnic origin, enjoys equal opportunity.
Answer: C. Everyone follows a single religion endorsed by the Parliament.
15. In a parliamentary democracy like Australia, which of the following best ensures all Australians are equal under the law?
A. The Queen, as Head of State, has the final say on all legal matters.
B. Judges and lawyers receive special privileges exempting them from certain laws.
C. Police officers have the authority to treat individuals differently based on their circumstances.
D. Every citizen has the right to a fair trial under the law.
Answer: D. Every citizen has the right to a fair trial under the law.
16. Which of the following is NOT a reason why learning English is important? [Australian values]
A. It facilitates communication and understanding among people from different backgrounds.
B. It promotes access to educational opportunities and career advancement.
C. It reinforces a sense of shared identity and cultural unity.
D. It supports the idea of letting go of one’s native language.
Answer: D. It supports the idea of letting go of one’s native language.
17. Which of the following is NOT an example of “mateship”? [Australian values]
A. Joining a campaign to raise awareness about environmental issues.
B. Organising a fundraiser for a local family facing financial hardship.
C. Donating blood to help someone in urgent need of a transfusion.
D. Charging your neighbor double the usual price for mowing their lawn because they’re desperate for help.
Answer: D. Charging your neighbor double the usual price for mowing their lawn because they’re desperate for help.
18. Which of the statements about freedom in Australia is correct? [Australian values]
A. One must follow a certain religion.
B. One is free to engage in non-violent protests against the government or an organisation.
C. One must not engage in private meetings, particularly those related to political matters.
D. One can freely express their views in any medium, except through art and film.
Answer: B. One is free to engage in non-violent protests against the government or an organisation.
19. Which of the statements below best describes what ‘freedom of religion’ allows you to do? [Australian values]
A. Publicly criticise other people’s religious beliefs, even if it hurts their feelings.
B. Practice your faith openly and freely, as long as it doesn’t harm anyone.
C. Practice your religious rituals in a way that disrupts public peace and safety.
D. Force others to adopt your religious beliefs, even if they disagree.
Answer: B. Practice your faith openly and freely, as long as it doesn’t harm anyone.
20. Which of the following actions best demonstrates tolerance and respect for others in Australian society? [Australian values]
A. Publicly ridiculing the opinions of someone whose political views differ from your own.
B. Listening to a classmate explain their controversial political views without interrupting or judging them, even if you disagree with them.
C. Sharing a racially stereotypical joke with your friends, even if you don’t think it’s meant to be harmful.
D. Refusing to serve a gay couple at your restaurant because of your religious beliefs.
Answer: B. Listening to a classmate explain their controversial political views without interrupting or judging them, even if you disagree with them.
What is the Australian Citizenship Test?
The Australian Citizenship Test is an examination that evaluates your eligibility for citizenship, assessing your skills and knowledge in several key areas, including:
- basic grasp of the English language
- understanding of what it means to become an Australian citizen
- sufficient knowledge about Australia, including the responsibilities and privileges that come with citizenship
- understanding of and dedication to Australian values based on freedom, respect and equality
The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions, presented in English.
Typically, if you’re aged between 18 and 59 and applying for citizenship (by conferral), you are required to sit the test.
What questions are in the Australian Citizenship Test?
The questions in the Australian citizenship test cover the four testable areas in the Our Common Bond booklet, which include:
- Part One: Australia and its people
- Part Two: Australia’s democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
- Part Three: Government and the law in Australia
- Part Four: Australian values
How many questions are in the Australian Citizenship Test?
The test consists of 20 questions in total, with five questions focusing on Australian values.
How to pass the Australian Citizenship Test
To pass the Australian citizenship test, you must:
- Achieve a score of 75% (answer at least 15 of 20 questions correctly).
- Answer all five questions about Australian values correctly.
- Answer all 20 questions within 45 minutes
How to prepare for the Australian Citizenship Test
To prepare for the Australian Citizenship Test, follow the tips below:
- Thoroughly read the Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond Booklet. Put extra focus on Part Four: Australian values, as you will need to correctly answer all questions related to this section.
- Alternatively, you may listen to the Our Common Bond podcast by the Department of Home Affairs. You can tune in while driving or doing other tasks like cleaning, and so on.
- Answer the practice test questions above as many times as you can.
After the Australian Citizenship Test, what is the waiting time for approval?
According to the Department of Home Affairs, you will receive a decision on your citizenship application from 3 to 11 months from the date you applied.
Don’t forget to regularly conduct a VEVO check to stay updated on your PR visa status, ensuring you’re on track with your citizenship application.
What happens if you fail the Australian Citizenship Test
If you don’t pass on the first try, you have the chance to retake it. The Department will arrange another time for you to take the exam at no additional cost.
Failing the test won’t impact your permanent visa or your right to live in Australia.
Keep in mind that if you don’t pass the test after three attempts, your application for citizenship may be declined.
How hard (or easy) the test will be depends on how well you prepare for your exams. As long as you’ve put genuine effort into answering the practice Australian Citizenship Test, you’ll likely perform well on exam day.
With that said, get enough sleep and eat well before the test for mental clarity and physical well-being.
Stay confident all the way through the Australian Citizenship Test!
Now that you have the practice exam, feel free to take it as many times as you need, and experience your confidence rise up! As they say, preparation is the key.
If you have further questions about the Australian Citizenship Test, our friendly migration agents are ready to assist you! Simply schedule a free consultation for any concerns about your citizenship application.
Disclaimer: The above information is a general guide and not professional immigration advice. Be aware that immigration laws and regulations can change swiftly, potentially rendering some or all of the information outdated. Thus, before using the information above, we recommend checking the current laws through assistance from a migration agent or the Department of Home Affairs website.