How are the cultures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples described?
Based on: OCB Part 1: Australia and its people
Australian Citizenship Test · People
Australian Citizenship Test Practice Questions: Australia and Its People (2026)
Part 1 of Our Common Bond, Australia and its people, tests the country's story and its symbols. Australia's first inhabitants are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, whose cultures are the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world, with the archaeological record indicating arrival between 65,000 and 40,000 years ago. European settlement began when the First Fleet of 11 ships arrived from Great Britain on 26 January 1788, and the separate colonies united into the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. This guide covers the history, states and territories, national days and symbols the test asks about.
Practice
Free practice questions
According to the archaeological record, Aboriginal peoples arrived in Australia approximately:
Based on: OCB Part 1: Australia and its people
European settlement of Australia began when the First Fleet arrived on:
Based on: OCB Part 1: Australia and its people (Early days of European settlement)
According to the booklet, how many ships made up the First Fleet?
Based on: OCB Part 1: Australia and its people (Early days of European settlement)
The First Fleet arrived from:
Based on: OCB Part 1: Australia and its people (Early days of European settlement)
Who was the first Governor of the colony of New South Wales?
Based on: OCB Part 1: Australia and its people (Early days of European settlement)
What is the Australian national anthem, sung at citizenship ceremonies?
Based on: OCB Part 1: Australia and its people (citizenship ceremony)
At the start of a citizenship ceremony, a "Welcome to Country" may be given by:
Based on: OCB Part 1: Australia and its people (citizenship ceremony)
What is described as the most important part of the citizenship ceremony?
Based on: OCB Part 1: Australia and its people (citizenship ceremony)
Who are recognised as Australia's first inhabitants?
Based on: OCB Part 1: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (p.8)
From the First Australians to Federation
The historical thread of Part 1 runs from deep time to 1901. Aboriginal peoples arrived, according to the archaeological record, between 65,000 and 40,000 years ago, and Torres Strait Islander people come from the islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea; both peoples express their deep connection with the land through their stories, art and dance. European settlement began with the First Fleet on 26 January 1788, carrying mainly convicts because British jails could not hold the large number of people imprisoned; Captain Arthur Phillip became the first Governor of the colony of New South Wales, and early free settlers came mainly from Great Britain and Ireland. In 1851 a gold rush began in New South Wales and Victoria: Chinese people were the first large group of migrants not from Europe, and Australia's population more than doubled in 10 years. In 1901 the separate colonies federated into the Commonwealth of Australia under the new Constitution, and only after the 1967 Referendum were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples included in official population estimates. A large wave of non-British migration followed World War II, and English is Australia's national language.
- First Fleet: 11 ships from Great Britain, arriving 26 January 1788.
- Gold rush: began in 1851 in New South Wales and Victoria.
- Federation: the colonies became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.
States, territories and the national days
Australia is a federation of six states and two mainland territories, and Canberra is the capital city. New South Wales was the first colony established by the British, and its capital, Sydney, is the nation's largest city; Western Australia is the largest state by area, with Perth as its capital. Two national days recur in the question bank. Australia Day, 26 January, marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. Anzac Day, 25 April, is named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. The test also distinguishes two Indigenous protocols: a Welcome to Country is performed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local region, while an Acknowledgement of Country can be delivered by anyone.
The symbols and the citizenship ceremony
Part 1 closes with the national symbols, and they are reliable marks. On the Australian National Flag, the Commonwealth Star has seven points: one for each of the six states and one for the territories. The national flower is the golden wattle, the national colours are green and gold, the colours of the wattle, and the national gemstone is the opal. The national anthem is Advance Australia Fair, sung at citizenship ceremonies and major sporting events. The ceremony itself is testable: a Welcome to Country may be given at the start by a representative of the traditional owners of the land, and the most important part of the ceremony is making the Australian Citizenship Pledge, because you do not become a citizen until you have made it.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 65,000 to 40,000 years ago | Aboriginal peoples arrive, per the archaeological record |
| 26 January 1788 | The First Fleet of 11 ships arrives from Great Britain |
| 1851 | The gold rush begins in New South Wales and Victoria |
| 1 January 1901 | The colonies federate as the Commonwealth of Australia |
| 25 April 1915 | The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps lands at Gallipoli |
| 1967 | Referendum passes to include Aboriginal peoples in official population estimates |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who are recognised as Australia's first inhabitants?
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are Australia's first inhabitants, and Our Common Bond describes their cultures as the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world. Torres Strait Islander people come from the islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea.
What does Australia Day on 26 January mark?
Australia Day, held on 26 January each year, marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet from Great Britain in 1788. The fleet of 11 ships carried mainly convicts, and Captain Arthur Phillip became the first Governor of the colony of New South Wales.
What do the seven points of the Commonwealth Star represent?
On the Australian National Flag, the Commonwealth Star has seven points: one point for each of the six states and one point for the territories. It is one of the flag facts the citizenship test asks about, alongside the national flower, colours and gemstone.
What is the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country?
A Welcome to Country is performed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local region, so only a traditional custodian can give it. An Acknowledgement of Country is different: anyone can deliver it. The citizenship test regularly checks that you know who may perform each one.
What are Australia's national flower, national colours and national gemstone?
Australia's national flower is the golden wattle, the national colours are green and gold, which are the colours of the golden wattle, and the national gemstone is the opal. The national anthem is Advance Australia Fair, which is sung at citizenship ceremonies.
When did Australia become one nation?
In 1901, when the separate self-governing British colonies united into a federation called the Commonwealth of Australia. The national parliament, government and High Court were established under the new Australian Constitution, which came into effect on 1 January 1901.