Australian Citizenship Test questions and answers

1. British settlers
2. Dutch explorers
3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Answer: C. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the oldest continuing cultures in the world.

1. The arrival of the First Fleet
2. Federation
3. The landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Gallipoli in 1915

Answer: C. The landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Gallipoli in 1915

Anzac Day marks the landing at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915 and honours all who served and died in wars.

1. Waratah
2. Golden wattle
3. Rose

Answer: B. Golden wattle

The golden wattle is the national floral emblem. Australia's national colours are green and gold.

1. Captain Arthur Phillip
2. Captain James Cook
3. Captain Matthew Flinders

Answer: A. Captain Arthur Phillip

Captain Arthur Phillip commanded the First Fleet. He led the ships from Britain and set up the first British settlement at Sydney Cove.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Answer: A. TRUE

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures have continued for tens of thousands of years. They are among the oldest living cultures in the world.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Answer: B. FALSE

There were many different Aboriginal languages before European settlement. Different groups had their own languages and traditions.

1. Through printed newspapers
2. Through radio programs
3. Through stories, art, song and dance

Answer: C. Through stories, art, song and dance

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples pass on knowledge and beliefs through stories, art, song and dance. These traditions are still important today.

1. They are one people with a single culture
2. They are two different peoples, each with their own cultures
3. Torres Strait Islander peoples arrived with the First Fleet

Answer: B. They are two different peoples, each with their own cultures

Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples are two distinct Indigenous peoples. Each has its own cultures, languages and traditions.

1. People from many countries around the world
2. Only soldiers from Britain
3. Only convicts

Answer: A. People from many countries around the world

The gold rushes attracted people from many countries, including Britain, Ireland, Europe, North America and China.

1. Federation
2. Settlement
3. Independence Day

Answer: A. Federation

Federation is the name for the joining of the six colonies on 1 January 1901 to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Answer: A. TRUE

Enrolment and voting are compulsory for citizens aged 18 and over.

1. The Australian people
2. The King alone
3. The courts

Answer: A. The Australian people

Australia is a parliamentary democracy, so the power of government comes from the people. Australians elect representatives to parliament to make laws for them.

1. Vote for someone else at the next election
2. Use force to remove the member
3. Stop obeying all laws

Answer: A. Vote for someone else at the next election

In a democracy, people can change their representatives peacefully by voting. Using force or breaking the law is not acceptable.

1. Through peaceful discussion and the democratic process
2. By threatening members of parliament
3. By damaging public property

Answer: A. Through peaceful discussion and the democratic process

Australians change laws peacefully, for example by talking to their member of parliament or by voting. Threats and damage are not accepted.

1. With respect and tolerance
2. Ignore them until they change their customs
3. Tell them to move to another area

Answer: A. With respect and tolerance

Mutual respect and tolerance help people from many backgrounds live together peacefully in Australia.

1. To protect people's good name and to stop people encouraging violence
2. To stop people from criticising the government
3. To make everyone hold the same opinions

Answer: A. To protect people's good name and to stop people encouraging violence

Laws protect people from false statements that harm their good name. It is also against the law to encourage violence against a person or group.

1. A political party or a trade union
2. A group that plans to break the law
3. A group that uses violence against others

Answer: A. A political party or a trade union

Freedom of association means Australians can join any legal organisation, such as a political party, trade union, or religious or cultural group.

1. The government is not tied to any religion
2. The government follows the laws of one religion
3. The government has banned all religions

Answer: A. The government is not tied to any religion

Australia has no official national religion. The government is secular, and people are free to follow any religion or none.

1. The rich person can pay to avoid punishment
2. The law should treat them equally
3. The poor person should get a lighter punishment

Answer: B. The law should treat them equally

All Australians are equal under the law. Wealth, background or position does not change how the law treats a person.

1. Their family background or wealth
2. Their talents, work and effort
3. Who they know in government

Answer: B. Their talents, work and effort

Australians believe in equal opportunity. What a person achieves should come from their talents, work and effort, not from their birth or favouritism.

1. Two: federal and local
2. Three: federal, state or territory, and local
3. One: federal only

Answer: B. Three: federal, state or territory, and local

Australia has three levels of government: federal, state or territory, and local.

1. The High Court of Australia
2. The Supreme Court of New South Wales
3. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

Answer: A. The High Court of Australia

The High Court of Australia interprets the Constitution and is the highest court.

1. Attending a place of worship
2. Serving on a jury if called to do so
3. Joining a political party

Answer: B. Serving on a jury if called to do so

Citizens must obey the law, vote in elections, serve on a jury if called, and defend Australia should the need arise.

1. On 1 January 1901
2. On 26 January 1788
3. On 25 April 1915

Answer: A. On 1 January 1901

The Constitution came into effect on 1 January 1901, when the colonies joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

1. Approval by the Governor-General only
2. A majority of voters across Australia and a majority of voters in at least four of the six states
3. A majority of members in the Senate

Answer: B. A majority of voters across Australia and a majority of voters in at least four of the six states

This is called a double majority. A change needs a national majority of voters and a majority of voters in a majority of the states (at least four of the six).

1. Local government (councils)
2. The federal government
3. The High Court

Answer: A. Local government (councils)

Local councils look after services in their local area, such as rubbish collection, parks, local roads and libraries.

1. Foreign affairs
2. Local building permits
3. Local libraries

Answer: A. Foreign affairs

The federal government looks after national matters, such as foreign affairs, defence, trade, immigration and taxation.

1. The King (represented by the Governor-General), the Senate and the House of Representatives
2. The Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the High Court
3. The Premiers, the Governors and the local councils

Answer: A. The King (represented by the Governor-General), the Senate and the House of Representatives

The Federal Parliament is made up of the King, who is represented by the Governor-General, and two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

1. 2
2. 4
3. 12

Answer: A. 2

The Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory each have 2 senators.

1. It must be passed by both houses of Parliament and then receive assent from the Governor-General
2. It must be approved by the High Court
3. It must be signed by every state Premier

Answer: A. It must be passed by both houses of Parliament and then receive assent from the Governor-General

A bill must be passed by a majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. It becomes law when the Governor-General gives assent on behalf of the King.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Answer: B. FALSE

Australians are committed to peacefulness. Change should come through discussion, peaceful persuasion and the democratic process.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Answer: B. FALSE

Freedom of speech has limits: it is against the law to incite violence or to defame others.

1. Obedience to religious leaders above the law
2. Mutual respect and tolerance
3. Settling disputes through force

Answer: B. Mutual respect and tolerance

Australian values include respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, the rule of law, and mutual respect and tolerance.

1. This is allowed. Freedom of speech includes the right to criticise the government peacefully
2. This is against the law because people must always support the government
3. This is only allowed for members of parliament

Answer: A. This is allowed. Freedom of speech includes the right to criticise the government peacefully

Australians are free to say and write what they think, including criticising the government, as long as they obey the law.

1. The government has no official religion and is separate from religious groups
2. The government bans all religion in public places
3. Every citizen must belong to a religious group

Answer: A. The government has no official religion and is separate from religious groups

Australia has no official national religion. People are free to follow any religion, but the government itself is not religious.

1. Every adult must join a political party
2. Only Australian citizens may meet in groups
3. People are free to join or leave any legal group, such as a club, trade union or political party

Answer: C. People are free to join or leave any legal group, such as a club, trade union or political party

Australians can join, or choose not to join, any lawful group. They cannot use a group to break the law or act violently.

1. By using violence or force
2. By voting in elections
3. By asking the army to take control

Answer: B. By voting in elections

Australia is a parliamentary democracy. The government is changed peacefully through elections, never through violence.

1. Some groups of people deserve more rights than others
2. Every person should be treated with respect, whatever their background
3. Only Australian citizens deserve to be treated with respect

Answer: B. Every person should be treated with respect, whatever their background

Australians believe every person has equal worth, dignity and freedom, whatever their race, religion, gender or background.

1. Threatening a person so that they do what you want
2. Voting for the candidate you prefer
3. Writing a polite letter to a newspaper

Answer: A. Threatening a person so that they do what you want

Using threats, fear or violence to make people do what you want is not acceptable in Australia and can be a crime.

1. Violence against a family member is against the law
2. Violence is acceptable if it happens inside the family home
3. Family arguments may be settled with force

Answer: A. Violence against a family member is against the law

Violence is never an acceptable way to settle disagreements in Australia, including within families. Family violence is against the law.