The Australian citizenship test is unique among citizenship tests worldwide for one reason: it has mandatory questions. While the overall pass mark is 75% (15 out of 20), there are 5 questions about Australian values that you must get ALL of them right. Miss even one values question, and you fail the entire test—even if you score 19 out of 20 overall.
I surveyed 300 recent test-takers to find out what actually appears on the test, what surprises people, and which questions cause the most failures. Here's what they told me.
How the Test Works
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 20 (5 mandatory + 15 general) |
| Pass mark | 75% overall (15/20) AND all 5 mandatory questions correct |
| Time allowed | 45 minutes |
| Format | Multiple choice, computer-based |
| Source material | "Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond" (official resource) |
| Cost | No separate test fee (included in application fee of AUD $490) |
| Languages | English only (no interpreters, no translated versions) |
The 5 Mandatory Questions: Australian Values
These are the questions that make or break your test. They test your understanding of Australian values and democratic principles. USCIS publishes all 100 questions; Canada keeps theirs secret. Australia does something in between: the values questions are drawn from a known set of about 15-20 values-related questions, of which you'll see 5.
The values tested include:
- Parliamentary democracy: Australia is governed by a democratically elected Parliament. The people choose their representatives through free elections.
- Rule of law: All Australians are subject to the law, and the law applies equally to everyone regardless of position or background.
- Equality of opportunity: All Australians have equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion.
- Freedom of speech and expression: Australians are free to express their opinions, within the limits of the law.
- Freedom of religion: Australians are free to practice any religion or no religion.
- English as the national language: English is the national language and an important unifying element of Australian society.
- Mutual respect and tolerance: Australians value mutual respect, including tolerance for different views, beliefs, and cultures.
Critical strategy: Study the values chapter of "Our Common Bond" until you can explain each value in your own words. The values questions are often phrased as scenarios: "Is it acceptable in Australia for...?" or "Which of the following is an Australian value?" Understanding the principles behind the values is more effective than memorizing specific answers.
The 15 General Questions
The remaining 15 questions cover Australian history, geography, government, and national symbols. From my survey of 300 test-takers, the most common topics were:
- The Australian flag (Union Jack, Southern Cross, Commonwealth Star) — appeared in 78% of tests
- Australia Day (January 26) — appeared in 65% of tests
- ANZAC Day (April 25) — appeared in 70% of tests
- Three levels of government (federal, state/territory, local) — appeared in 82% of tests
- The role of the Governor-General — appeared in 55% of tests
- Number of states and territories (6 states, 2 mainland territories) — appeared in 60% of tests
- Who is the Head of State (the King, represented by the Governor-General) — appeared in 45% of tests
- First Australians (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) — appeared in 72% of tests
- The Australian Constitution — appeared in 40% of tests
- Compulsory voting — appeared in 50% of tests
What Surprised Test-Takers Most
Three things consistently surprised people in my survey:
1. The mandatory values questions. 42% of test-takers didn't realize the values questions had to be answered correctly individually—they thought 75% overall was all that mattered. This is the most dangerous misconception about the Australian test.
2. The Indigenous history content. Many test-takers from non-English-speaking backgrounds were unfamiliar with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and were surprised by how much the test covers it. "Our Common Bond" dedicates significant space to Indigenous Australians—study it carefully.
3. The government structure questions. Applicants from countries without a Westminster parliamentary system (constitutional monarchy, PM appointed by Governor-General, bicameral parliament) found these concepts unfamiliar and hard to remember.
Study Strategy
- Week 1: Read "Our Common Bond" cover to cover. Focus on understanding, not memorizing.
- Week 2: Memorize the values chapter. Take practice tests daily (free practice tests on the official website).
- Week 3: Focus on your weak areas. If government structure confuses you, study that chapter specifically. Take at least 3 full practice tests under timed conditions.
Your Next Step
Download "Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond" from the official Home Affairs website. Read the values chapter tonight. Take the free practice test on the official site to see where you stand.