Australian citizenship test: free mock test 9

All 20 questions in this mock test, each with the right answer, the reason, and where it is in Our Common Bond. Try the test first.

1. Question 1. On what date did the Australian Constitution come into effect?

   • A. 26 January 1788
   • B. 1 January 1901
   • C. 25 April 1915

   Answer: B. 1 January 1901

   The Constitution took effect on 1 January 1901, when the colonies became one nation.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (The Australian Constitution)

2. Question 2. 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)

3. Question 3. Above all, Australians believe in the right to what?

   • A. Win every argument they have with others
   • B. Live safely, free from violence and intimidation
   • C. Choose which laws they want to obey

   Answer: B. Live safely, free from violence and intimidation

   Australians believe people can disagree peacefully, and that everyone has the right to be safe from violence and intimidation.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 4: Australian values (Mutual respect and tolerance for others)

4. Question 4. Food and meat inspection, and noise and animal control, are the job of which level of government?

   • A. State government
   • B. The Australian Government
   • C. Local government

   Answer: C. Local government

   These services are listed as local government responsibilities.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (What do the three levels of government do?)

5. Question 5. What colours is the Torres Strait Islander Flag?

   • A. Green, blue, black and white
   • B. Black, red, yellow and white
   • C. Green, gold, blue and white

   Answer: A. Green, blue, black and white

   Four colours appear on the Torres Strait Islander Flag: green, blue, black and white.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 1: Australia and its people (Australia's flags)

6. Question 6. Is it legal to discriminate against someone in Australia because of their gender?

   • A. Yes, in a private business
   • B. No, it is against the law
   • C. Yes, if both people agree

   Answer: B. No, it is against the law

   Men and women have equal rights, and gender discrimination is against the law.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our equalities)

7. Question 7. Under the Rule of Law, what happens to people who break the law?

   • A. Nothing, if they hold an important job
   • B. Only citizens are punished
   • C. They face penalties

   Answer: C. They face penalties

   Everyone should obey the law at all times. People who break it will face penalties.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 4: Australian values (Commitment to the Rule of Law)

8. Question 8. What is a 'Bill'?

   • A. A tax that people pay to the Australian Government
   • B. A proposal for a new law or a change to a law
   • C. A decision made by a judge at the end of a court case

   Answer: B. A proposal for a new law or a change to a law

   A Bill is a proposed new law, or a proposed change to a law that already exists.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (How are laws made?)

9. Question 9. How do Australians believe change should happen?

   • A. Through force, if enough people want the change
   • B. Through discussion and peaceful persuasion
   • C. Through decisions made only by religious leaders

   Answer: B. Through discussion and peaceful persuasion

   Australians believe in peaceful change and reject violence as a way to change people's minds or the law.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our democratic beliefs)

10. Question 10. Archaeologists have dated the arrival of Aboriginal peoples in Australia. When was it?

    • A. Around 4,000 to 6,500 years ago
    • B. Around 40,000 to 65,000 years ago
    • C. About 1,000 years ago

    Answer: B. Around 40,000 to 65,000 years ago

    Archaeology dates their arrival to some time from 65,000 to 40,000 years ago. Aboriginal peoples' own creation stories go back to the beginning of time.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 1: Australia and its people (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

11. Question 11. What does the law support when an organisation is hiring?

    • A. Choosing a member of the owner's family
    • B. Choosing the applicant who comes from the wealthiest family
    • C. Choosing the applicant with the best skills and experience

    Answer: C. Choosing the applicant with the best skills and experience

    The law supports hiring the best-skilled and most experienced person, not choosing someone because of gender, wealth or ethnicity.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 4: Australian values (Equality of opportunity and a 'fair go')

12. Question 12. What separates Tasmania from the mainland?

    • A. Bass Strait
    • B. Torres Strait
    • C. The Great Barrier Reef

    Answer: A. Bass Strait

    Bass Strait is the stretch of sea between the island of Tasmania and the mainland.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 1: Australia and its people (The states)

13. Question 13. What is a criminal trial?

    • A. An election held to choose a new government
    • B. A court hearing to decide if someone is guilty of a crime
    • C. A vote by the people to change the Constitution

    Answer: B. A court hearing to decide if someone is guilty of a crime

    A criminal trial is when a court looks at the facts and decides whether a person is guilty of a crime.

    In Our Common Bond, Glossary of testable section (part of the testable section)

14. Question 14. What is legislative power?

    • A. The power to put laws into practice
    • B. The power to interpret and apply laws
    • C. The power to make and change laws

    Answer: C. The power to make and change laws

    Legislative power means making laws, and it belongs to Parliament.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (How is the power of government controlled?)

15. Question 15. 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)

16. Question 16. Can an Australian citizen also be a citizen of another country?

    • A. Yes, if the laws of the other country allow it
    • B. No, Australian law never allows a second citizenship
    • C. Only if they were born in Australia to Australian parents

    Answer: A. Yes, if the laws of the other country allow it

    Dual or multiple citizenship is possible if the other country's laws allow it.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 4: Australian values (Loyalty to Australia)

17. Question 17. Which person served as New South Wales' first Governor?

    • A. The first Prime Minister of Australia
    • B. Captain Arthur Phillip
    • C. The leader of the gold rush miners

    Answer: B. Captain Arthur Phillip

    Captain Arthur Phillip was the first Governor of New South Wales. He led the First Fleet.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 1: Australia and its people (Early days of European settlement)

18. Question 18. What is the capital city of Victoria?

    • A. Sydney
    • B. Hobart
    • C. Melbourne

    Answer: C. Melbourne

    Melbourne is the capital city of the state of Victoria.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 1: Australia and its people (Australia's states and territories)

19. Question 19. Who explains the law to the jury?

    • A. The judge
    • B. The police
    • C. The accused person's family

    Answer: A. The judge

    The judge tells the jury what the law is.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (How are laws enforced?)

20. Question 20. What does 'mateship' mean?

    • A. Supporting only the members of your own family
    • B. Competing with others so that you can get ahead
    • C. Helping others and being helped, especially in hard times

    Answer: C. Helping others and being helped, especially in hard times

    Mateship means helping each other, especially in difficult times.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 4: Australian values (Compassion for those in need)