The official Australian citizenship test assesses your knowledge of Australia's values, history, government, and national symbols. Passing this test is a required step in the citizenship application process, and thorough preparation gives you the best chance of achieving the required score on your first attempt.
Download our free printable practice test PDF to study anywhere — at home, on your commute, or during breaks. The questions mirror the format and content areas of the official Department of Home Affairs test, helping you build confidence before your actual appointment.
The citizenship test places strong emphasis on understanding and committing to Australian values. These include a belief in democracy, where citizens choose their government through free and fair elections. Freedom of speech allows people to express opinions openly while respecting the rights of others. The rule of law means that all people — including government officials — are subject to the law equally, and no one is above it.
Equal opportunity is a core value, meaning that every person regardless of their background has the right to make the most of their abilities and achieve success. The test also assesses your understanding of religious freedom, freedom of association, and the expectation that individuals will care for and support one another as members of the community.
Australia is a parliamentary democracy with a federal system of government. Power is divided between the national (Commonwealth) government and the six state and two territory governments. The Commonwealth Parliament consists of two houses: the Senate (the upper house, with 12 senators per state and 2 per territory) and the House of Representatives (the lower house, where the party with the majority of seats forms government).
The Governor-General is the representative of the King (as Australia is a constitutional monarchy) and performs important constitutional functions including the swearing-in of ministers and the formal opening of Parliament. The Prime Minister is the head of the Australian Government and leads the party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives. Understanding the separation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers is also tested.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the original inhabitants of Australia, with cultures and connections to land going back more than 65,000 years — making them the custodians of one of the world's oldest living cultures. The test covers the significance of recognising Indigenous Australians in national life and the importance of Reconciliation as an ongoing process of building respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Candidates should know that the Australian Constitution was amended by referendum in 1967 to allow the Commonwealth Government to make laws for Aboriginal people and to include them in the census. This was a significant moment in the recognition of Aboriginal Australians as full citizens.
European settlement began in 1788 when the First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip. Australia was colonised as a British penal colony before eventually developing into separate self-governing colonies. Federation occurred on 1 January 1901, when the six colonies united to become the Commonwealth of Australia — a moment of enormous national significance.
The ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) tradition is central to Australian identity. ANZAC Day on 25 April commemorates the landing at Gallipoli in 1915 during World War I and honours all Australians who have served and died in wars and conflicts. The test may also ask about other key moments such as women gaining the right to vote (1902), the end of the White Australia Policy, and significant social reforms of the 20th century.
The Australian national flag features three elements: the Union Jack (representing the historical links with Britain), the Commonwealth Star (with seven points representing the six states and the territories), and the Southern Cross constellation (representing Australia's location in the Southern Hemisphere). The national anthem is "Advance Australia Fair," and the words were updated in 2021 to change "for we are young and free" to "for we are one and free" in acknowledgement of Indigenous Australians' long history.
Australia's coat of arms features a kangaroo on the left and an emu on the right — both animals chosen because they cannot easily walk backwards, symbolising a nation moving forward. The golden wattle is the national floral emblem, and the coat of arms also includes a shield divided into sections representing the six states.
The official test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from the resource "Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond." You have 45 minutes to complete the test and must answer at least 15 questions correctly (75%) to pass. All applicants aged 18–59 must take the test. Children under 16 and people aged 60 or over are generally exempt.
After passing the test and having your application approved, you attend a citizenship ceremony where you take the Australian Citizenship Pledge, committing to share Australia's democratic beliefs, respect its rights and liberties, and uphold and obey Australian laws.
Want to practise interactively before your test day? Our Australian citizenship test practice test lets you answer questions online with instant feedback, so you can identify knowledge gaps and focus your remaining study time on the areas that need the most attention.