The Australian citizenship test study sheet: every testable fact from Our Common Bond, checked and printable

Our Common Bond has few dates, so each one is worth knowing exactly.

• 65,000 to 40,000 years agoThe archaeological record shows Aboriginal peoples arriving in Australia. Their own creation stories begin with the beginning of time.
• 26 January 1788The First Fleet of 11 convict ships arrives from Great Britain and European settlement begins. Now celebrated as Australia Day.
• First GovernorCaptain Arthur Phillip, first Governor of the colony of New South Wales. The First Fleet set out from Britain under his command.
• 1851A gold rush begins in New South Wales and Victoria. Chinese arrivals are the first large group of migrants not from Europe. In 10 years the population more than doubles.
• 1900The Australian Constitution is passed as part of a British Act of Parliament.
• 1 January 1901Federation: the six colonies unite as the Commonwealth of Australia. The Constitution takes effect, creating the national parliament, government and High Court.
• 1901 populationAbout four million. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were not counted until after the 1967 Referendum.
• 25 April 1915The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) lands at Gallipoli in Türkiye in World War I. Remembered on Anzac Day.
• After World War IIA wave of non-British migration: large numbers of Europeans come to build a new life.
• 1967Referendum: more than 90 per cent vote Yes to count Aboriginal peoples in the Census.
• 2019 to 2020Devastating bushfire season. Multicultural communities collect money, clothes, food and water for those affected.
• 15 November 2020Five Australian values questions are added to the citizenship test.

Six states and two mainland territories. Canberra is the national capital.

• New South Wales · SydneyThe first colony established by the British. Sydney is the nation's largest city. Icons: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House.
• Victoria · MelbourneThe smallest mainland state. Fine buildings from 1850s gold rush wealth. Icons: Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 12 Apostles, Royal Exhibition Building.
• Queensland · BrisbaneThe second largest state. The Torres Strait Islands lie to the north; the Great Barrier Reef runs along the east coast.
• Western Australia · PerthThe largest state. Mostly desert in the east, farming and wine in the south-west, many large mining projects. Icons: Ningaloo Coast, Margaret River, the Kimberley.
• South Australia · AdelaideRugged coastline and famous wine regions; fine colonial architecture in Adelaide. Icons: Barossa Valley, Flinders Ranges.
• Tasmania · HobartThe smallest state, separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait. Icons: Cradle Mountain, Port Arthur, Bay of Fires.
• Australian Capital Territory · CanberraBetween Sydney and Melbourne. Home to Parliament House and the High Court of Australia.
• Northern Territory · DarwinTropical north, dry red desert in the south. Icons: Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon.

• Australian National FlagBlue, white and red. Union Jack top left (British settlement and inherited laws); the seven-pointed Commonwealth Star below it (one point per state, one for the territories); the Southern Cross on the right.
• Australian Aboriginal FlagBlack top half (Aboriginal peoples), red bottom half (the earth), yellow circle (the sun).
• Torres Strait Islander FlagGreen stripes (land), blue centre (sea), black lines (the people), white dancer's headdress (all Torres Strait Islanders), white star points (the island groups); white means peace.
• Commonwealth Coat of ArmsShield for the six states and federation, held by a kangaroo and an emu, a gold Commonwealth Star above, golden wattle behind.
• National flowerThe golden wattle. Grows mainly in south-eastern Australia and flowers golden yellow in spring.
• National coloursGreen and gold, the colours of the golden wattle.
• National gemstoneThe opal. In Aboriginal legend, a rainbow touched the earth and created its colours.
• National anthem"Advance Australia Fair", sung at citizenship ceremonies and major sporting events.
• Australia Day · 26 JanuaryAnniversary of the First Fleet's arrival in 1788. The biggest annual public holiday; the Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra.
• Anzac Day · 25 AprilA solemn day remembering all Australians who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
• Welcome to CountryPerformed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local land, usually as the first item of an event.
• Acknowledgement of CountryRecognises the gathering is on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land. Anyone can deliver it.
• LanguagesEnglish is the national language. More than 100 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are also valued.
• First AustraliansAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the oldest continuous cultures in the world and make up about 3 per cent of the population.

• Parliamentary democracyGovernment power comes from the people, who vote for representatives that must answer to them at elections.
• Constitutional monarchyThe King of Australia, King Charles III, is Head of State but must act in line with the Constitution. He has no day-to-day role in government.
• Governor-GeneralAppointed by the King on the Prime Minister's advice. Neutral, not part of the government. Gives Royal Assent, approves the appointment of the government, its ministers and federal judges, starts the federal election process, is Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force, and holds reserve powers.
• State GovernorsRepresent the King in each state. In the Northern Territory an Administrator, appointed by the Governor-General, plays a similar role.
• Separation of powersLegislative (Parliament makes laws), executive (Prime Minister, ministers and Governor-General put laws into practice), judicial (judges interpret and apply laws).
• House of RepresentativesThe Lower House or People's House. Seats per state and territory follow population; the booklet says "over 150" members (150 since the 2025 election).
• SenateThe Upper House, House of Review or States' House. 76 senators: 12 from each state, 2 each from the ACT and Northern Territory.
• The ConstitutionThe Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900. It set up the Parliament and the High Court, which has the ultimate power to apply and interpret Australia's laws.
• ReferendumHow Australians change the Constitution. Needs a double majority: a majority of voters nationally and a majority of voters in a majority of states.
• Forming governmentGenerally the party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives governs; its leader is Prime Minister. The next largest forms the Opposition.
• Ministers and CabinetThe Prime Minister recommends ministers; the Governor-General approves them. Ministers with the most important portfolios form the Cabinet.
• How a law is madeA proposal is a Bill. Both Houses debate and vote; if each passes it, the Governor-General signs it into law (Royal Assent).
• Other leadersPremier (state), Chief Minister (territory), Mayor or Shire President and councillors (local government).
• Three levels of governmentFederal: tax, defence, immigration and citizenship, foreign affairs, social security, post. State and territory: hospitals, schools, roads and railways, police, public transport. Local: rubbish, local roads, parks, libraries, building permits.
• States vs territoriesStates have rights recognised by the Constitution. Self-governing territory laws can be altered or revoked by the Australian Government at any time.
• Political partiesThe main parties: Liberal Party, Australian Labor Party, the Nationals, Australian Greens. Members of no party are independents.
• Australian Electoral CommissionIndependent of government. Runs federal elections and referendums and keeps the electoral roll. Voting is by secret ballot.
• Courts and juriesCourts and judges are independent. People are innocent until found guilty. In some cases a jury decides guilt; in a criminal trial, if the jury finds a person guilty, the judge decides the penalty.
• PoliceIndependent of government. Each state and the NT has its own force; the Australian Federal Police handles federal crimes and ACT policing. Even offering a bribe to police is a crime.
• Knowing the lawNot knowing a law is no excuse. Road rules are set by states and territories; everyone wears a seatbelt; no hand-held phone while driving.

• ResponsibilitiesObey the laws of Australia; vote in federal and state or territory elections and referendums; defend Australia should the need arise; serve on a jury if called.
• PrivilegesVote; apply for children born overseas to become citizens by descent; apply for jobs in the Australian Public Service or Defence Force; seek election to parliament; apply for an Australian passport and re-enter freely; ask for consular help overseas.
• VotingCompulsory for citizens 18 and over in federal, state and territory elections and referendums. It may not be compulsory in local elections in some states. Not voting without a good reason can mean a fine.
• Standing for parliamentCitizens aged 18 or over who are not dual citizens.
• Jury serviceCitizens on the electoral roll can be called.
• TaxRequired by law and collected by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Pays for healthcare, education, defence, roads and social security.
• The PledgeYou become a citizen only once you make the pledge at your ceremony. The words "under God" are optional.

To pass you must score at least 75 per cent overall and answer all five values questions correctly. These lines are where the values questions come from.

• Rule of LawNo person, group or religious rule is above the law. Follow the law even when no one is watching.
• Freedom of speechSay and write what you think within the law, and protest peacefully. Never promote violence; false allegations are illegal.
• Freedom of associationJoin or leave any legal group. No one can be forced to join or to leave.
• Freedom of religionNo official national religion; the government is secular. Religious laws have no legal status: where they conflict, Australian law wins. Polygamy and forced marriage are illegal.
• Equality under the lawTwo men or two women can marry. Either spouse may apply for divorce. A woman can get a job ahead of a man if she has better qualifications and skills.
• A fair goSuccess should come from hard work and talent, not wealth or background. A job should go to the person with the best skills and experience.
• Mutual respectViolence of any kind, verbal or physical, is illegal, including family violence. Racism has no place in Australia. Obey lawful requests from police.
• Age of consent16 or 17, depending on the state or territory. Sexual activity with a child under 16 is illegal for Australians even overseas.
• MateshipCompassion for those in need: helping neighbours and volunteering.
• EnglishThe national language. Applicants must undertake to make reasonable efforts to learn it, if it is not their native language.
• Keeping society safeReport a suspected serious crime to authorities, and child abuse to police. Many forms of online (cyber) abuse are illegal.
• LoyaltyDual citizenship is allowed (if the other country's laws allow it), but Australian law applies to you in Australia at all times. Sharing official government secrets undermines Australia's interests.