The real Australian Citizenship Test contains 20 multiple-choice questions. You need 15 correct answers (75%) to pass, and you must get all five questions about Australian values right. The questions below represent the style and difficulty of the real test, with explanations to help you understand the reasoning behind each answer.

Official test information — Australian Government Department of Home Affairs

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20 Sample Questions

Chapter 1

Q1. How long have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived in Australia?

  1. At least 10,000 years
  2. At least 40,000 years
  3. At least 65,000 years
  4. At least 100,000 years
Show answer and explanation
At least 65,000 years

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have one of the oldest continuous cultures on Earth, with archaeological evidence showing human habitation in Australia for at least 65,000 years.

Chapter 1

Q2. Where did the First Fleet depart from?

  1. London, England
  2. Portsmouth, England
  3. Bristol, England
  4. Plymouth, England
Show answer and explanation
Portsmouth, England

Captain Arthur Phillip led 11 ships — the First Fleet — from Portsmouth, England on 13 May 1788. They settled at Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), a date now celebrated as Australia Day.

Chapter 1

Q3. What event in 1854 is considered the birth of Australian democracy?

  1. The Gold Rush
  2. Federation
  3. The Eureka Stockade
  4. The First Election
Show answer and explanation
The Eureka Stockade

The Eureka Stockade was a rebellion by gold miners at Ballarat, Victoria, against harsh licence fees. Its outcome — miners gaining the right to vote — is widely regarded as the birth of Australian democracy.

Chapter 1

Q4. When did Australia become a federation?

  1. 1 January 1788
  2. 1 January 1890
  3. 1 January 1901
  4. 1 January 1927
Show answer and explanation
1 January 1901

On 1 January 1901, the six British colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. This event is called Federation.

Chapter 1

Q5. What are Australia's national colours?

  1. Blue and gold
  2. Red and blue
  3. Green and gold
  4. Blue and white
Show answer and explanation
Green and gold

Australia's national colours are green and gold. These colours are seen on the wattle, Australia's national floral emblem, and are used in Australian sporting uniforms.

Chapter 1

Q6. What does the Commonwealth Star on the Australian flag represent?

  1. The seven seas
  2. Six states (one point each) plus one point for Australian territories
  3. The original colonies
  4. The Southern Cross
Show answer and explanation
Six states (one point each) plus one point for Australian territories

The Commonwealth Star has seven points — six representing the six states and one representing Australia's territories. It sits below the Union Jack on the flag.

Chapter 1

Q7. What is the significance of the kangaroo and emu on the Australian coat of arms?

  1. They are the most common Australian animals
  2. They cannot walk backwards, symbolising Australia moving forward
  3. They were chosen by Queen Victoria
  4. They represent the two original colonies
Show answer and explanation
They cannot walk backwards, symbolising Australia moving forward

The kangaroo and emu were chosen for the coat of arms partly because neither animal can easily walk backwards, symbolising Australia's commitment to moving forward.

Chapter 1

Q8. What did the 1967 Referendum achieve?

  1. It granted women the right to vote
  2. It allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be counted in the census and gave the Commonwealth power to make laws for them
  3. It changed Australia to a republic
  4. It established Canberra as the capital
Show answer and explanation
It allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be counted in the census and gave the Commonwealth power to make laws for them

The 1967 Referendum was passed with over 90% support — one of the highest 'yes' votes in Australian referendum history. Before 1967, Aboriginal people were not counted in the national census.

Chapter 2

Q9. Who must vote in Australian federal elections?

  1. Anyone who chooses to
  2. All residents aged 18 and over
  3. All citizens aged 18 and over
  4. All citizens aged 21 and over
Show answer and explanation
All citizens aged 18 and over

Voting is compulsory for all Australian citizens aged 18 and over. You must enrol to vote within 21 days of becoming a citizen, and failure to vote without a valid reason can result in a fine.

Chapter 2

Q10. Which of the following is a responsibility of Australian citizenship?

  1. Learning to speak Mandarin
  2. Serving on a jury if called
  3. Attending citizenship ceremonies annually
  4. Renewing your citizenship every 10 years
Show answer and explanation
Serving on a jury if called

Citizens may be called to serve on a jury and are expected to do so unless they have a valid exemption. Jury duty is a fundamental part of Australia's justice system.

Chapter 2

Q11. What is the correct statement about freedom of religion in Australia?

  1. All Australians must follow the Christian religion
  2. There is no official religion and Australians are free to follow any religion or none
  3. The government chooses an official religion each decade
  4. Freedom of religion is not protected in Australia
Show answer and explanation
There is no official religion and Australians are free to follow any religion or none

Australia has no state religion. The Constitution prohibits the Commonwealth from establishing a religion or preventing the free exercise of religion. Australians are free to practise any faith or no faith at all.

Chapter 3

Q12. Which level of government is responsible for public hospitals?

  1. Federal (Commonwealth)
  2. State and Territory
  3. Local (Council)
  4. All three equally
Show answer and explanation
State and Territory

Public hospitals are managed by State and Territory governments. The Federal government funds Medicare and provides health funding to states, but the administration of hospitals is a state responsibility.

Chapter 3

Q13. How many senators does each Australian state have in the federal Senate?

  1. 6
  2. 8
  3. 10
  4. 12
Show answer and explanation
12

Each of the six Australian states has 12 senators in the federal Senate. The two territories (ACT and NT) each have 2 senators, making 76 senators in total.

Chapter 3

Q14. What are the three branches of the separation of powers?

  1. Police, courts, and military
  2. Legislature, executive, and judiciary
  3. Federal, state, and local
  4. Senate, House of Reps, and Prime Minister
Show answer and explanation
Legislature, executive, and judiciary

The separation of powers divides government into three branches: the Legislature (Parliament, which makes laws), the Executive (the Government, which implements laws), and the Judiciary (the courts, which interpret laws).

Chapter 3

Q15. Which is the highest court in Australia?

  1. The Federal Court
  2. The Supreme Court
  3. The High Court
  4. The Court of Appeal
Show answer and explanation
The High Court

The High Court of Australia is the final court of appeal and the highest court in the land. It interprets the Constitution and resolves disputes about federal law.

Chapter 4

Q16. Your employer asks you to work on the same day as an important religious festival. What does Australian law say?

  1. Employers can require you to work on any day they choose
  2. Employers must reasonably accommodate your religious observance
  3. You must always prioritise work over religious events
  4. You can only take religious leave if you are Christian
Show answer and explanation
Employers must reasonably accommodate your religious observance

Australian anti-discrimination law requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for employees' religious beliefs and practices. This includes allowing time off for important religious observances where practical.

Chapter 4

Q17. Which of the following best reflects Australian values regarding gender equality?

  1. Men and women have equal rights in all areas of life
  2. Men have primary responsibility for financial decisions in families
  3. Women are discouraged from working in certain industries
  4. Equal rights apply only in the workplace
Show answer and explanation
Men and women have equal rights in all areas of life

Gender equality is a core Australian value enshrined in law. Men and women have equal rights in all areas — at work, at home, and in the community. Practices that restrict a person's freedom based on gender are contrary to Australian values.

Chapter 4

Q18. A neighbour from another culture has a different practice that is legal in their home country but illegal in Australia. What applies?

  1. Their home country's laws apply if they are a new arrival
  2. Australian laws apply to everyone living in Australia
  3. Local councils decide which cultural laws to apply
  4. It depends on how long they have lived in Australia
Show answer and explanation
Australian laws apply to everyone living in Australia

Australian laws apply to everyone in Australia, regardless of cultural background or country of origin. New citizens are expected to uphold Australian laws, even when they differ from practices in their home country.

Chapter 4

Q19. What does it mean that Australia is a 'multicultural' nation?

  1. Everyone must speak more than one language
  2. Australians come from many different cultural backgrounds, all of which are respected
  3. Migrants must give up their original culture to become Australian
  4. Only Aboriginal cultures are officially recognised
Show answer and explanation
Australians come from many different cultural backgrounds, all of which are respected

Australia is one of the world's most successful multicultural societies. People from all cultural backgrounds are welcomed and respected. New citizens can maintain their cultural identity while also embracing Australian values.

Chapter 4

Q20. You receive a jury summons. You are not interested in jury duty. What should you do?

  1. Ignore it — jury duty is optional
  2. Respond and attend unless you have a valid legal exemption
  3. Ask your employer to reject it on your behalf
  4. Send a letter saying you prefer not to participate
Show answer and explanation
Respond and attend unless you have a valid legal exemption

Jury duty is a legal obligation for eligible citizens. Ignoring a jury summons can result in a fine or contempt of court. If you have a legitimate reason for exemption (e.g., a medical condition or pre-booked overseas travel), you can apply to be excused.

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