Free Our Common Bond questions: 18 questions; the real Australian citizenship test has 20 questions, 5 of them on Australian values, per Home Affairs. How many can you get wrong?
Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
What principle is Australia's democratic system based on?
Keyboard: A to D or 1 to 4 picks an answer. Enter moves on.
Our Common Bond practice questions and answers: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties is part 2 of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet for the test.
Answers and explanations (text version)
All 18 questions in this practice set, each with the right answer, the reason, and where it is in Our Common Bond. Try the questions first.
Question 1. What principle is Australia's democratic system based on?
- A. Only people born in Australia have full rights under the law
- B. Every person has equal rights under the law, whatever their background
- C. People's rights under the law depend on how wealthy they are
Answer: B. Every person has equal rights under the law, whatever their background
The system is built on the idea that each person, whatever their background, has rights and equality under the law.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our democratic beliefs)
Question 2. Can a person be forced to join an organisation in Australia?
- A. Yes, if their employer tells them to
- B. No, people can choose not to join
- C. Yes, if their family belongs to it
Answer: B. No, people can choose not to join
People are free to join legal groups, and they can also decide not to join. No one can force them.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our freedoms)
Question 3. How does the booklet describe serving in an Australian parliament?
- A. A paid job open to anyone living in Australia
- B. A duty every citizen must do once
- C. A great honour that carries serious duties
Answer: C. A great honour that carries serious duties
Serving in an Australian parliament is described as an honour and a serious responsibility.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship)
Question 4. What is the purpose of the laws our representatives make?
- A. To raise money for the political parties in parliament
- B. To control which religion people are allowed to follow
- C. To keep society orderly, free and safe
Answer: C. To keep society orderly, free and safe
Laws are made to keep society orderly, free and safe, and to protect people's rights.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship)
Question 5. What do Australian citizens gain by voting?
- A. A voice in how the country is run
- B. Free travel on public transport
- C. An exemption from paying tax
Answer: A. A voice in how the country is run
Voting lets citizens have a say in how the country is run and contribute to its future.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship)
Question 6. What is social security?
- A. A national police force run by the government
- B. Government payments to help people in need
- C. A tax paid on goods and services
Answer: B. Government payments to help people in need
Social security means government pensions or benefits for people such as the unemployed, disabled or elderly.
In Our Common Bond, Glossary of testable section (part of the testable section)
Question 7. What does the Rule of Law mean?
- A. Everyone, every group and every religious rule sits under the law
- B. Leaders may ignore any laws they disagree with in their work
- C. Religious rules come before the nation's laws
Answer: A. Everyone, every group and every religious rule sits under the law
The Rule of Law means everyone is equal before the law and nobody stands above it.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our democratic beliefs)
Question 8. What does a 'fair go' mean?
- A. Success should come from talent and effort, not wealth
- B. Everyone should earn exactly the same amount of money
- C. People from wealthy families should get the best jobs
Answer: A. Success should come from talent and effort, not wealth
A 'fair go' means equal opportunity: success should come from your talents, work and effort.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our equalities)
Question 9. Which help can Australian officials give citizens overseas?
- A. Paying any fines they owe in the other country
- B. An emergency passport, or support after an accident
- C. Excusing them from obeying that country's laws
Answer: B. An emergency passport, or support after an accident
Officials can give an emergency passport, plus help and advice after an accident, a serious illness or a death.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship)
Question 10. In Australia, why does the power of the government come from the people?
- A. The King of Australia gives the power to the people
- B. Citizens choose the judges of the High Court at elections
- C. Citizens vote for their representatives in parliament
Answer: C. Citizens vote for their representatives in parliament
Because Australian citizens elect their representatives, the government's power comes from the people.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our democratic beliefs)
Question 11. Who is allowed to stand for election to parliament?
- A. Any permanent resident aged 18 or over, including dual citizens
- B. Any citizen aged 16 or over, including dual citizens
- C. Citizens aged 18 or over who are not dual citizens
Answer: C. Citizens aged 18 or over who are not dual citizens
To stand for parliament you must be a citizen aged 18 or over and not a dual citizen.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship)
Question 12. In which emergencies can Australian citizens overseas ask officials for help?
- A. Missing a flight because of a late taxi
- B. Civil unrest and natural disasters
- C. Losing a sports match
Answer: B. Civil unrest and natural disasters
Australian officials can help citizens overseas in emergencies such as riots or natural disasters.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship)
Question 13. What does it mean that the government in Australia is secular?
- A. It is run by the leaders of the largest church
- B. It is kept separate from churches and other religious bodies
- C. It requires every citizen to follow one of the main religions
Answer: B. It is kept separate from churches and other religious bodies
A secular government works separately from churches and other religious bodies.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our freedoms)
Question 14. What does freedom of speech mean?
- A. People may speak and write their views, within the law
- B. People can say anything at all, even if it breaks the law
- C. Only journalists may share their opinions in public
Answer: A. People may speak and write their views, within the law
Freedom of speech lets people say and write what they think, as long as they obey the law.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our freedoms)
Question 15. What is freedom of association?
- A. The right to form and join groups with common goals
- B. The right to vote in federal and state elections
- C. The right to hold an Australian passport
Answer: A. The right to form and join groups with common goals
Freedom of association means people can form and join associations to work towards shared goals.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our freedoms)
Question 16. From what age must Australian citizens vote?
- A. 16 years
- B. 18 years
- C. 21 years
Answer: B. 18 years
Australian citizens have a duty to vote once they turn 18.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship)
Question 17. What is a democracy?
- A. Government by one ruler who is never elected by the people
- B. Rule by the people, through the representatives they elect
- C. Government by religious leaders who are chosen by their faith
Answer: B. Rule by the people, through the representatives they elect
In a democracy, people govern through the representatives they elect.
In Our Common Bond, Glossary of testable section (part of the testable section)
Question 18. How do the government and the law treat citizens of different religions?
- A. The same, whatever they believe
- B. Better if they follow the main religion
- C. Differently, depending on their beliefs
Answer: A. The same, whatever they believe
Whatever a citizen's religion or beliefs, the government and the law treat them the same.
In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our freedoms)
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